Secrets of Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose's vault go unsolved with death of former President Abdul Kalam

DHANBAD: In the heart of Jharkhand's coal belt, a mystery which was supposed to be unraveled by former President APJ Abdul Kalam has captured the imagination of the global science community for more than 75 years.

A three-foot long, two-foot wide and 1.5-foot vault, which belonged to Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose, has been kept locked at the Giridih-based science centre since he died in the mining town on November 23, 1937. Kalam was twice scheduled to open the vault, but the plans did not materialize.

Bose, who proved plants responded to pain and suffering just as humans, visited Giridih several times between 1930 and 1937, doing most of his research at Shanti Nivas, a century-old small building in Barganda which has since been converted into Sir J C Bose Memorial Science Centre.

The content of the vault has been a matter of speculation and much discussion among intellectuals and the Bengali community. "The iron chest is said to contain valuable research papers or study material. It was supposed to be opened in Kalam's presence because the Bengali Society and social workers wanted to unravel the mystery in the presence of a man who could understand them clearly," said Uday Shankar Upadhayay, former demonstrator at the Sir JC Bose Science Centre.

"We cannot think of any other person who could be put on a par with Sir JC Bose," said Professor Madhushri Sanyal, one the members of the Bengali Society .

At least two programmes were organized during Kalam's tenure as President for him to visit Giridih. "Kalam arrived at Bokaro in June 2002 and was scheduled to visit Giridih, but he had to return after his chopper developed a technical snag. His visit scheduled for December that year was also cancelled due to unknown reasons," said Shiv Banerji, district information officer.