As a tribute to Rabindranath Tagore on the ocassion of his 150th
birth anniversary, the government on Monday announced a grant of Rs 150
crore to the Nobel Laureate's abode -- Visva Bharati University -- for
restoring it to its old glory.
On the closing day of the year-long celebrations to mark the anniversary that saw a flurry of activities both in India and outside, the government said the first 'Tagore International Award' will be presented to sitar maestro Pandit Ravishankar
.
Announcing Ravishankar's name, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Ravishankar would receive the award that carries a cash prize of Rs 1 crore and citation from the President of India at a ceremony later.
Leaders from India and Bangladesh, whose national anthems were penned
by the poet, paid rich tributes to Tagore as Bangladesh Foreign
Minister Dipu Moni said he would continue to inspire "every Bengali" at
every point of life.
Mukherjee and Moni quoted extensively from Tagore's work, especially the much-aclaimed Gitanjali, to drive home their point that the Nobel Laureate was a "global citizen" who was firmly rooted in the world of sight, clour and sound.
"I am happy to announce Rs 150 crore will be granted to Visva Bharati University to revive and restore the glory of this great institution founded by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore," Mukherjee said at the closing ceremony of celebrations of 150th birth anniversary of Tagore.
Vice President Hamid Ansari said Tagore was a multifaceted genius whose creativity spanned every form of artistic expression and his concerns ranged from global and universalist ones to practical and mundane issues.
Ansari said Tagore established institutions to reflect his vision and through his travels, writings and actions demonstrated that the international brotherhood of man was not merely a theoretical construct.
He said Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has undertaken three historic visits to India since 2010 and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Bangladesh in September 2011, accompanied by chief ministers of some of the states bordering Bangladesh.
"Each of these visits reinforced the firm resolve of our leaderships to further strengthen people-to-people links, settle outstanding issues and enhance trade and economic relations between India and Bangladesh," Ansari said.
Calling himself an "ardent admirer and devoted student" of the "genius Tagore", Mukherjee said Tagore's thoughts, idea and philosophy will continue to inspire people in the future as well.
Effusing lavish praise on Tagore, one of the greatest poets of the previous century, Moni said the poet continues to be the reference point for everyone in Bangladesh for "every Bengali in every celebrations, our adversities, our ecstasies and our agonies and indeed in our everyday existence".
"He is our principle source of inspiration in our quest for freedom and in exercise of our right to self-determination, Tagore has been central in defining of our image as ourselves," she said.
She said her country will celebrate the 100th year of Tagore getting the Nobel Prize for Gitanjali next year.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today demanded that May 8, which culminates year-long 150 birth anniversary celebrations of Rabindranath Tagore, be declared a national holiday.
"I discussed the issue of celebration of 150 years of Tagore with the Prime Minister. Since May 8 is his birthday it should be declared as national holiday," Mamata told reporters after meeting Manmohan Singh here.
Mamata said she also discussed with Singh the celebration of 150 years of Swami Vivekananda.
On the closing day of the year-long celebrations to mark the anniversary that saw a flurry of activities both in India and outside, the government said the first 'Tagore International Award' will be presented to sitar maestro Pandit Ravishankar
.
Announcing Ravishankar's name, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Ravishankar would receive the award that carries a cash prize of Rs 1 crore and citation from the President of India at a ceremony later.
Mukherjee and Moni quoted extensively from Tagore's work, especially the much-aclaimed Gitanjali, to drive home their point that the Nobel Laureate was a "global citizen" who was firmly rooted in the world of sight, clour and sound.
"I am happy to announce Rs 150 crore will be granted to Visva Bharati University to revive and restore the glory of this great institution founded by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore," Mukherjee said at the closing ceremony of celebrations of 150th birth anniversary of Tagore.
Vice President Hamid Ansari said Tagore was a multifaceted genius whose creativity spanned every form of artistic expression and his concerns ranged from global and universalist ones to practical and mundane issues.
Ansari said Tagore established institutions to reflect his vision and through his travels, writings and actions demonstrated that the international brotherhood of man was not merely a theoretical construct.
He said Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has undertaken three historic visits to India since 2010 and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Bangladesh in September 2011, accompanied by chief ministers of some of the states bordering Bangladesh.
"Each of these visits reinforced the firm resolve of our leaderships to further strengthen people-to-people links, settle outstanding issues and enhance trade and economic relations between India and Bangladesh," Ansari said.
Calling himself an "ardent admirer and devoted student" of the "genius Tagore", Mukherjee said Tagore's thoughts, idea and philosophy will continue to inspire people in the future as well.
Effusing lavish praise on Tagore, one of the greatest poets of the previous century, Moni said the poet continues to be the reference point for everyone in Bangladesh for "every Bengali in every celebrations, our adversities, our ecstasies and our agonies and indeed in our everyday existence".
"He is our principle source of inspiration in our quest for freedom and in exercise of our right to self-determination, Tagore has been central in defining of our image as ourselves," she said.
She said her country will celebrate the 100th year of Tagore getting the Nobel Prize for Gitanjali next year.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today demanded that May 8, which culminates year-long 150 birth anniversary celebrations of Rabindranath Tagore, be declared a national holiday.
"I discussed the issue of celebration of 150 years of Tagore with the Prime Minister. Since May 8 is his birthday it should be declared as national holiday," Mamata told reporters after meeting Manmohan Singh here.
Mamata said she also discussed with Singh the celebration of 150 years of Swami Vivekananda.
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