A worker washes the statue of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore on the eve of Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘Jayanti’, in Nadia | Photo credit: PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (May 9, 2026) paid lavish tributes to Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore on his birth anniversary, saying he had made his mark as an outstanding philosopher, educationist, artist and “timeless voice of the Indian civilizational soul”.
Tagore’s birth anniversary is celebrated on ‘Pochisha Boishakh’ or the 25th day of the Bengali month of Boishak, also known as Rabindra Jayanti.
“Today, on the special occasion of Pochish Boishakh, we pay our heartfelt tributes to Gurudev Tagore,” Mr Modi said in a post on ‘X’.
He said that Gurudev Tagore was a writer, thinker and poet of extraordinary brilliance.
“He has made a mark as an exceptional philosopher, educator, artist and a timeless voice of the Indian civilizational soul. He gave expression to the deepest emotions of humanity and the noblest ideals of our culture,” the Prime Minister said.
Mr. Modi said Tagore enriched the society with new ideas, creative energy and cultural confidence.
“We remember him with deep respect and gratitude. May his thoughts continue to enlighten the mind and guide us in our endeavours,” he said.
Tagore was born on 25 Boishakh 1268 of the Bengal calendar (7 May 1861, according to the Gregorian calendar).
Mamata pays tribute to Tagore on his birth anniversary, calling him a symbol of unity
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday (May 9, 2026) paid tribute to Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore on his birth anniversary, describing him as an eternal guiding light and messenger of unity for mankind.
In a post on X, Ms Banerjee said Tagore’s philosophy represented a “rebirth of Bengali language, culture and heritage”.
“His profound philosophy of life serves as an eternal guiding light on our daily journey. He taught us – division is not true, but unity is,” she said.
A senior Trinamool Congress official said Tagore had risen above the “fervor of aggressive nationalism” and conveyed to the world a message of unity for all.
Ms. Banerjee quoted from Tagore’s works: “O my heart, wake slowly in this holy place of pilgrimage, on the shore of the ocean of this great soul of India.” She expressed the hope that the eternal ideals of the poet, his far-reaching currents of thought, awakened consciousness and creative genius “will shine even more intensely in the minds of people all over the world.”
Suvendu pays homage to Rabindranath Tagore
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari paid tribute to Rabindranath Tagore on his birth anniversary, describing the Nobel laureate as an “eternal star” in the sky of Bengali literature and culture.
In a post on X, he said that Tagore’s “immortal creations, humanitarian philosophy and patriotism” have guided people throughout the ages.
“May human civilization advance, inspired by the great message, ‘Where the mind is fearless and the head held high’. On the birth anniversary of the poet-sage, I pay my humble tribute to him,” Mr. Adhikari said.
He also said, “On the birth anniversary of world poet, Nobel laureate, world renowned poet-sage Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, I pay my sincere respect. His immortal creations, humanitarian philosophy and patriotism have accompanied us through the ages. He will forever shine as an eternal star in the sky of Bengali literature and culture.”
Published – May 9, 2026 11:13 AM IST
