BSS-43 Tribute paid to Rabindranath Tagore on Rabindra Jayanti

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BSS-43

TAGORE-TRIBUTE

Tribute paid to Rabindranath Tagore on Rabindra Jayanti

DHAKA, May 9, 2020 (BSS) – Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, Indian High
Commission in Dhaka, yesterday paid tribute to Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore
with online events on Rabindra Jayanti.

A webinar was organised on “Tribute to Rabindranath Tagore:- a ray of hope
through Tagore’s philosophy”, said a press release of Indian High Commission
today.

The webinar included welcome remarks by Riva Ganguly Das, High Commissioner
of India.

The Keynote speaker was Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe (President, ICCR) and Guest
speakers were Professor Fakrul Alam (Academician and translator of the book
written by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman – The Unfinished Memoirs),
Professor Dr. Vidyut Chakrabarty (Vice Chancellor, Visva Bharati University),
Professor Dr. Bishwajit Ghosh (Vice Chancellor, Rabindra University
Bangladesh) and Professor Dr. Radha Chakravarty (Academician and writer).

Dr. Sahasrabuddhe remembered Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman on his birth centenary.

He said Bangabandhu had paid rich tributes to Rabindranath Tagore in 1972,
when independent Bangladesh first observed Tagore’s Birth Anniversary.

“In a message, Bangabandhu said that Bangalees have proved their love for
Rabindranath Tagore by sacrificing their blood. They have established the
right to study Rabindranath’s literature in Bangladesh by liberating the
Bangalee nation. This is the best tribute ever paid to Kabiguru!”

Dr Sahasrabuddhe highlighted the various aspects of Tagore’s Philosophy
along with a phrase by Tagore in his book- The Centre of Indian Culture,
where Gurudev says,”…. When, taking our stand at such centre, we turn
towards the West, our gaze shall no longer be timid and dazed, our heads
shall remain erect, safe from insult. For then we shall be able to take our
own views of Truth from the standpoint of our own vantage ground, this
opening out a new vista of thought before the grateful world.”

Dr. Shahastrabuddhe concluded his remarks by remembering how confident
Rabindranath Tagore was about the power of the East.

Prof Dr. Fakrul Alam who translated the famous book written by Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman “The Unfinished Memoirs” said “On this birthday
webinar, being organized at a time when our people are trying to cope with
the crisis brought about by Covid-19, we know that Rabindranath Tagore is a
ray of hope we can turn to and be inspired by as we move on to better days
and a brighter future”

Prof Dr. Bidyut Chakrabarty threw light on the various aspects of
Rabindranath Tagores’s work which are most relevant in any epidemic and can
be useful in present crisis of COVID 19 pandemic.

He highlighted on how Tagore always dealt with epidemics in a very positive
way and even provided a herbal mix to all students of Santiniketan to control
the Cholera epidemic.

Prof. Dr. Biswajit Ghosh said, “Rabindranath Tagore may be relevant again
in this time of the current Corona epidemic of the world — He had the
courage and patience to deal with disasters without panic. We will remember
his words, we will remember his optimistic philosophy.”

Prof Dr. Radha Chakravarty highlighted Tagore’s relevance for our times,
drawing attention to his social awareness, especially with respect to women’s
position in society, questions of caste and untouchability and the plight of
those at the margins of society.

She referred to his inclusive, democratic views on religion, and his
critique of orthodoxy and communal hatred.

She also commented on Tagore’s environmental consciousness, his views on
knowledge and education, his notion of a diverse yet interconnected world,
and his overarching humanist philosophy.

IGCC also webcasted documentaries on Rabindranath Tagore produced by
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India (Colours of Dreams, In the
land of Chhinnopatra, The story of Gitanjali – in Bengali, The story of
Gitanjali – in English) along with webcasting of “Tribute to Rabindranath
through songs” by Rezwana Choudhury Bannya, Laisa Ahmed Lisa, Aditi Mohsin,
Shama Rahman, Lily Islam and Webcasting of “Tribute to Rabindranath through
recitation” by Bhaswar Banerjee, Shahadat Hossain Nipu, Samiul Islam Poluck.

BSS/PR/MRI/MRU/2020hrs