Bina Das was born on this day, 1911.

She was, to put things in the simplest way, an Indian freedom fighter.

On February 6, 1932, her convocation day, she tried to shoot Stanley (FS) Jackson, then Governor of Bengal.
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The Calcutta University students waited as Jackson approached the dais.

Das was there, a revolver concealed in her gown, to collect her BA (English degree).

Jackson had merely started his speech when Das stood up and fired five times.

Jackson ducked and survived.
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Das was arrested.

She did not divulge the names of her accomplices despite a 48-hour trial.

Her statement before the Special Tribunal of the Calcutta High Court was:

"I can assure all that I could never have any personal grudge against any person or anything on earth; I have no sort of personal feelings against Sir Stanley Jackson, the man and Lady Jackson, the woman.
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"But the governor of Bengal represents the system of repression which has kept enslaved 300 millions of my countrymen and countrywomen.”
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Das was sentenced to nine years but was released two years before the stipulated day.

She was imprisoned for another three years when she took part in the Quit India Movement.
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In December 1986, they found her dead in Rishikesh, where she spent her final days.

They could not identify her for about a month.

She was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1960.

Remember her degree? Calcutta University rewarded her posthumously, in 2012.
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But there is more to our story. Remember Jackson, who ducked and survived (even at 62)?

That was probably because he had a sporting background.
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One of the greatest cricketers to play for Yorkshire, Jackson played for England 20 times (all at home, this used to be the longest career without an away Test at one point).

He led England to an Ashes win in 1905.
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His Test record (1,415 runs at 48.79, 24 wickets at 33.29) suggest how good he was.

He also played key role in helping Ranji earn a Cambridge Blue – not an easy thing to do in 1893.

There is more, but that can wait for another day.