DHAKA, May 7, 2019 (BSS) – President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina today paid rich tributes to Biswakabi Rabindranath Tagore on
the eve of his 158th birth anniversary on 25th of Bengali month Boishakh.
President Abdul Hamid, in his message, said Rabindranath Tagore is the
main symbol of spirit and conscience of Bangali nation.
“He has a unique role in all branches of Bangla literatures. He is one
of the best music creators of ours. He is also famous as a painter, social
thinker and philosopher. Finally he is one of the main designers of the
Bangali nationalism,” The President added.
Rabindranath drew attention of the world through winning the prestigious
Nobel Prize in 1913 for his poetry ‘Gitanjali’, Hamid said, adding he
(Rabindranath) was the first non-European, who won the highest recognition in
the world of literature.
Rabindranath becomes more relevant in the current world as the world is
now witnessing fundamentalism, narrowness of nationalism, class
discrimination and conflict among nation to nation and religion to religion,
he said.
The President hoped the young generation will practice ideology of
Rabindranath deeply to realize the world.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said Rabindranath is the
brightest star in world literature. A diversified genius, this time-winning
poet has observed the world very profoundly, which has been reflected in his
poems, short stories, novels, dramas, essays, travel stories, songs and arts,
she added.
The poet of peace and humanity-Rabindranath-was an appreciator of
eternal beauty of nature and biodiversity, the Prime Minister said.
She said the works of Rabindranath Tagore inspired all in the anti-
British movement and all our democratic movements, including 24-year long
independence movement and War of Liberation.
His (Rabindranath’s) thought of nationalism is the infinite source of
inspiration for the Bangalis, she said, adding that “His poems and songs
encouraged the freedom loving Bangalis to fight against the enemies during
the War of Liberation in 1971”.
Rabindranath’s works touch our spirit in every crisis, merriment,
sadness, hopes and aspirations, Sheikh Hasina said.
Referring to the poet’s contributions in improving the living standard
of the people of Shilaidah, Shahjadpur and Patisar, the Prime Minister said,
“We have established Rabindra University at Shahjadpur in Sirajganj aiming at
disseminating the memories of Bishwa Kabi among the new generation”.
Mentioning various literary works of the Nobel laureate poet, Sheikh
Hasina said the greatest Bangali of all time and Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman conceived the poet’s works as a source of
inspiration in materializing the dreams of Bangalee nation into reality.
That’s why, she said, the father of the nation took his (Rabindranath’s)
immortal poem “Amar Sonar Bangla, Ami Tomai Bhalobasi” as the National Anthem
of Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister expressed her firm conviction that the ideals and
works of Rabindranath Tagore will always inspire the Bangalees to build an
exploitation-free and non-communal Bangladesh.
The nation is set to observe the 158th birth anniversary of great poet
Rabindranath Tagore, the writer of national anthem of the country, tomorrow
with elaborate programmes.
On the 25th of Baishakh in 1268 Bengali year, Rabindranath Tagore, the
fountainhead of Bengali wisdom was born at Jorashako in Kolkata.