Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid rich tributes to Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore on the occasion of Pochishe Boishakh, describing the bard as a timeless cultural icon whose ideas, literature and philosophy continue to inspire generations in India and across the world.
In a message shared on social media platform X to mark Tagore’s birth anniversary as per the Bengali calendar, Modi hailed Gurudev as “a writer, thinker and poet of extraordinary brilliance” who reflected the spirit and civilisational essence of India.
“Today, on the special occasion of Pochishe Boishakh, we pay our heartfelt tributes to Gurudev Tagore,” the Prime Minister said, adding that Tagore had left an indelible imprint not only as a literary giant but also as “an exceptional philosopher, educationist, artist and a timeless voice of India’s civilisational soul.”
Highlighting the enduring relevance of Tagore’s thoughts, Modi said the poet had articulated “the deepest emotions of humanity and the noblest ideals of our culture,” while enriching society with “new thought, creative energy and cultural confidence.”
“We remember him with deep reverence and gratitude. May his thoughts continue to illuminate minds and guide us in our endeavours,” the Prime Minister said.
Pochishe Boishakh, observed on the 25th day of the Bengali month of Boishakh, commemorates Tagore’s birth anniversary and is celebrated with enthusiasm in West Bengal and among Bengali communities around the globe.
The occasion is marked by cultural programmes, Rabindra Sangeet performances, poetry recitations and literary gatherings celebrating the extraordinary legacy of the poet-philosopher whose influence extended far beyond literature into education, nationalism, art and music.
Tagore, the first Asian to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, was honoured in 1913 for his seminal work Gitanjali. He also penned India’s national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, and Bangladesh’s national anthem, Amar Sonar Bangla, cementing his unique place in the cultural history of the subcontinent.
Apart from his literary achievements, Tagore made a lasting contribution to education through the establishment of Visva-Bharati University at Santiniketan, which he envisioned as a centre of learning rooted in Indian traditions while embracing universal humanist ideals.
The Prime Minister’s tribute came amid nationwide celebrations marking Tagore’s birth anniversary, with political leaders, scholars, artists and cultural institutions across the country paying homage to one of India’s greatest literary and intellectual figures.