Respected Principal, teachers, and my dear friends,
A very warm good morning to all of you. Today, I feel truly honored to stand before you and speak about a legendary figure whose contributions to literature, music, and philosophy have enriched the soul of India — Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. As we celebrate Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti, let us reflect on his life, values, and immense legacy.
Rabindranath Tagore was born on May 7, 1861, in Kolkata, in a culturally rich and enlightened Bengali family. He was more than just a poet; he was a thinker, philosopher, painter, and educationist. He reshaped modern Bengali literature and Indian art with a profound global impact. Tagore Jayanti is not just a celebration of his birth, but a reminder of his timeless values and ideas.
He was the first Asian to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his poetry collection Gitanjali. His works were deeply spiritual, lyrical, and philosophical. They expressed the deepest emotions of the human heart. His poetry had a magical ability to touch the soul of every reader.
Tagore was also the composer of our national anthem Jana Gana Mana. But many may not know that he also wrote the national anthems of Bangladesh (Amar Shonar Bangla) and influenced Sri Lanka’s anthem too. This proves how his vision and voice transcended borders.
One of his most revolutionary contributions was in the field of education. He founded Visva-Bharati University at Santiniketan in 1921. His idea was to create a learning space that blended the best of Eastern and Western knowledge. He believed education should be joyful, creative, and rooted in nature.
Tagore also raised his voice against injustice, narrow nationalism, and blind patriotism. After the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919, he renounced his knighthood in protest. His boldness showed his moral courage and deep love for humanity.
As students, we must learn from his life — to think freely, to express ourselves fearlessly, and to value knowledge, peace, and unity. Today, as we celebrate his birth anniversary, let us promise to walk the path of truth, creativity, and compassion — the path shown by Gurudev himself.
Let us also take a moment to read his poems, listen to his music, and learn from his writings. That would be a real tribute to the great soul who gave us a treasure of wisdom.
Thank you, and Jai Hind.