Central Government Focuses on Projects and Programmes of Enduring Value to Take Forward the Rich Legacy of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore Internationally: Says Pranab Mukherjee

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

07-May-2011 17:02 IST

Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that the Central Government has endeavoured to focus on projects and programmes that are of enduring value and take forward the rich legacy of Tagore internationally.  To illustrate, the Finance Minister Shri Mukherjee said that for about 15 years (1992-2007), Ministry of Culture was operating a Scheme of Multipurpose Cultural Complexes (MPCCs), to support State-sponsored bodies in setting up integrated cultural complexes for fostering activities in various cultural fields like music, dance, drama, literature, fine arts, etc.  About 50 MPCCs were sanctioned in different States/ UTs, with Central assistance ranging from Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 2.5 crore for each Project, Shri Mukherjee added..The Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee was speaking at a function organized here today in Vigyan Bhawan to launch the 150th Anniversary Commemorations of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore.

The Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee is also Chairing a smaller National Implementation Committee constituted specially for the 150th Anniversary Commemorations of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore by the National Committee for Commemorations. The later is a bigger Committee and headed by the Prime Minister.

The Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that as part of the Commemoration of Tagore’s 150th Birth Anniversary, the Central Government has revamped this Scheme of Multipurpose Cultural Complexes (MPCCs) and renamed it as the Tagore Cultural Complexes Scheme. The Minister said that establishment of new cultural complexes of varying scales, in big and small towns will be thereby facilitated. He said that upgradation, modernization and modification into state-of-the-art cultural complexes, of the existing Rabindra Bhawans, and Cultural Centres set-up during the Centenary Celebrations of Rabindranath Tagore in 1961, will also be supported. Shri Mukherjee said that Universities and reputed not-for-profit Organisations have also been brought into the ambit of the scheme. The Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that the Central Government’s support will be up to 60 per cent of the project cost.  He said that he Ministry of Culture has received several proposals from State Governments which will now be fast-tracked under this Scheme for Tagore Cultural Complexes.

The Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee also highlighted  “Rabindra Chitravali” which is being released during this Function by Chairperson, UPA Smt. Sonia Gandhiji. He said that it is for the first time that around 2000 original paintings of Tagore from different repositories including Visva Bharati and the National Gallery of Modern Art are being reproduced in 4 volumes that will be a collector’s delight.  A number of Exhibitions of Tagore’s original paintings are proposed to be taken in various circuits to cities across the world, the Finance Minister added.  He said that they include Berlin, Paris, Rome, London, New York and possibly Chicago and Seoul.  Shri Mukherjee said that these works will also be on display in NGMA in Delhi during July and August.  

The Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee   said that there are many other important programmes which will be announced in the course of today’s function, to give an idea of the wide spectrum of activities that is proposed to be covered on this unique occasion.

The full text of the Speech of the Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee given on this occasion is given below:

Union Finance Minister’s Speech

at

150th Anniversary Commemorations of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore

Vigyan Bhavan, 7th May 2011

On behalf of the National Committee on the 150th Anniversary Commemorations of Rabindranath Tagore, I extend a very warm welcome to all of you on this historic occasion.  I extend heartfelt welcome to our Chief Guest, the Planning Minister, Bangladesh and his Delegation who are with us today to launch the Joint Indo-Bangla Commemorations in India. This is in pursuance of the Joint Communique signed by the Prime Minister of India and Bangladesh in January 2010. Our Vice President Dr. Hamid Ansari had participated in the inaugural function at Dhaka yesterday at the Bangabandhu International Convention Centre.

2. Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore is a colossus of modern times.  The author of both our National Anthems, he is truly inspirational and will be remembered by generations for his unparalleled contributions in diverse fields spanning literature, poetry, fine arts, education, rural development, environment, affirmative action to promote social and gender equity, universalism and linguistic identity.  Tagore set forth a vision of peace and fraternity that continues to have relevance and global appeal. He gave a new meaning and new interpretation to all traditional ideas. In that sense, he was a rebel, fearless in challenging what he considered constricting and limiting the development of core civilizational values.

I quote from the Gitanjali:

“Thou hast made me known to friends whom I know not.  Thou hast given me seats in homes not my own.  Thou hast brought the distant near and made a brother of the stranger”.  This is what we should strive to achieve during the 150th Anniversary Commemorations of Gurudev”.

3.  The National Committee for the Commemorations was set up on 27th April 2010, with the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India as its Chairman.  It has several senior public figures and distinguished Tagore experts.  In laying down the broad contours of the Commemorations, it suggested that events should be organized not only at the national level, but also the regional and global level. In this context, the Joint Indo-Bangla Commemorations assume a unique significance, being the first of its kind in the history of cultural relations with our neighbours.

4. The National Committee constituted a smaller National Implementation Committee, which I have the privilege of chairing.  My colleagues and I have met a couple of times and approved details of various Projects and Programmes that have been drawn up to honour, celebrate and perpetuate the outstanding legacy of Tagore.  We have taken note of the proposals which form part of the Joint Indo-Bangla Commemorations and have emerged through the Culture-Secretary level Delegation talks at Dhaka and New Delhi in December 2010 and April 2011.

5. We have endeavoured to focus on projects and programmes that are of enduring value and take forward the rich legacy of Tagore internationally.  To illustrate, for about 15 years (1992-2007), Ministry of Culture was operating a Scheme of Multipurpose Cultural Complexes (MPCCs), to support State-sponsored bodies in setting up integrated cultural complexes for fostering activities in various cultural fields like music, dance, drama, literature, fine arts, etc.  About 50 MPCCs were sanctioned in different States/ UTs, with Central assistance ranging from Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 2.5 crore for each Project.

6. As part of the Commemoration of Tagore’s 150th Birth Anniversary, we have revamped this Scheme, and renamed it as the Tagore Cultural Complexes Scheme. Establishment of new cultural complexes of varying scales, in big and small towns will be thereby facilitated. Upgradation, modernization and modification into state-of-the-art cultural complexes, of the existing Rabindra Bhawans, and Cultural Centres set up during the Centenary Celebrations of Rabindranath Tagore in 1961 will also be supported.  Universities and reputed not-for-profit Organisations have also been brought into the ambit of the scheme. The Central Government’s support will be up to 60 per cent of the project cost.  The Ministry of Culture has received several proposals from State Governments which will now be fast-tracked under this Scheme for Tagore Cultural Complexes.

7. I would also like to highlight  “Rabindra Chitravali” which is being released during this Function by Chairperson, UPA Smt. Sonia Gandhiji.  It is for the first time that around 2000 original paintings of Tagore from different repositories including Visva Bharati and the National Gallery of Modern Art are being reproduced in 4 volumes that will be a collector’s delight.  A number of Exhibitions of Tagore’s original paintings are proposed to be taken in various circuits to cities across the world.  They include Berlin, Paris, Rome, London, New York and possibly Chicago and Seoul.  These works will also be on display in NGMA in Delhi during July-August.

8. There are many other important programmes which you will get to know about in the course of today’s function, to you an idea of the wide spectrum of activities that is proposed to be covered on this unique occasion.

Once again, I welcome all of you and wish the Joint Commemorations a grand success.

DSM