Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore on May 7, 2024 [1], to mark the poet's birth anniversary.
The commemoration highlights the enduring influence of Tagore on India's national identity and its cultural heritage. As a literary giant and philosopher, Tagore's work continues to serve as a cornerstone for Indian intellectual and artistic expression.
Modi honored the writer on his 164th birth anniversary [1]. The Prime Minister said Tagore is the "eternal voice of Indian civilisation" [2]. He said that Tagore's "timeless voice continues to inspire the nation" [1].
Reports on the location of the tribute vary. Some accounts place the event in Kolkata, West Bengal [1], while other reports indicate the ceremony took place in Siliguri [2].
In Siliguri, Mayor Gautam Deb also paid his respects to the poet. Deb said that the nation remembers Tagore's legacy, and his contribution to the cultural heritage of the country [2].
Tagore's birth anniversary, known as Rabindra Jayanti, is celebrated annually to honor his contributions to literature and Indian civilisation [2]. The event serves as a reminder of the intersection between art and national pride in India.
“Rabindranath Tagore is the eternal voice of Indian civilisation.”
The Prime Minister's public tribute to Rabindranath Tagore reinforces the state's alignment with India's classical cultural and literary heritage. By framing Tagore as an 'eternal voice,' the government emphasizes a continuity of Indian civilization that transcends modern political divisions, using the poet's global prestige to bolster national pride.
