Indian Govt. funds to build Rabindranath Tagore complex in Bangladesh

[Riyad]

Tagore’s Kuthibari getting an eye-catching complex

A complex of a very magnificent design is going to be built at Shilaidaha Kuthibari, the country house of Rabindranath Tagore, which inextricably holds the memory of the Nobel Laureate Poet, reports the UNB.

One of the recreational sites in the itinerary of Tagore enthusiasts, situated in Kumarkhali upazila, some 20 kilometers away from Kushtia town, the terraced bungalow of the great poet is going to have the splendid complex at an expenditure of Tk13 crore funded by the Indian government.

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee after taking notice of different aspects of the Kuthibari during his last visit arranged the fund allocation.

Noted architect Robiul Husain has prepared the design of the complex to be built on six acres of land in front of the historical mansion.

Tagore had spent many of his precious moments in the serene surroundings of greenery here.

It is in the pleasantly calm ambiance of the cottage that the great poet composed his celebrated work “The Geetanjali”, which fetched him the noble prize as well as the universal reputation.

For all these reasons, Shilaidaha Kuthibari is great importance to the local and foreign Tagore enthusiasts.

But the historic place is set to lose its grandeur with want of some basic amenities and fail to woo visitors eventually.

The visitors have to face hassles for unavailability of food, unhygienic sanitation, inadequate security and unplanned rest house above all.

Consequently, the tourist attraction seems to be on the wane.

Taking all the circumstances in his notice the Indian president gave the allocation of the fund of Tk13 crore for refurbishment

of the recreational spot with setting up the new complex.

Following the Indian government’s gesture, the local administration recovered six acres of land that had been under illegal occupation in front of the cottage for construction of the new complex.

Recently, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina unveiled the plaque for construction of the building.

The complex will have a spectacular theater of Greek pattern, an MP theater, an impressive two-storey cafeteria set-up, a library-cum-documentation center, a two-storey ultramodern guesthouse, and a security shed.

There will be a ticket counter with a modern gate designed like that of the cottage at the main entrance.

Cultural activists and visitors think that once the project is implemented as designed it will enrich the cottage.

Mokhlesur Rahman, custodian of Shilaidaha Kuthibari, said the Ministry of Housing and Public Works is implementing the project work which is expected to be completed immediately.

http://www.newstoday.com.bd/index.php?option=details&news_id=2450644&date=2016-08-24

 

[Mo12]

would be better for bangladesh to use the money of education and schooling instead

 

[bluesky]

Old historical structures should be retained in their original state. The picture in the starter post is so dissimilar to the original that it reminds of the film Devdas in Hindi where the Hindiwala Indians completely changed the original story to suit their own ego. I had the opportunity to visit Shilaidaha and the new Hindiwala architecture is without any luster to me. Why should BD allow Indian patronage over our heritage?

 

[sbmc27]

I am hailing from Kushtia, adjacent to the kuthibari.
Still no physical work going on, however the required 6 acres land recovered from land grabber.
Once completed the facilities would be great reliever for the visitors.
Govt is also in process of establishing the proposed Rabindranath Tagore university in this very site. The university will be consist of 3 campus (shilaidah, shahjadpur and patishar) in memories of Tagore. Shilaidah will house arts and humanities facilities of the proposed university. Bishwavarati university of India is collaborating the technical and logistical aspect of the university with the BD govt.

Actually the complex will be built totally out of the original area.
Of course it will create nuisance slightly, but you have to live with this and the world how it works.@bluesky

 

[vikata]

nice move....hope our relationship with the bangladesh improves further

 

[asad71]

India loosing no opportunity to extend its soft power. Bangladeshis should not get gaga over a man who called Muslims as "Jabon", a derogatory term, in his writings. Tagore had opposed the establishment of Dhaka Unv tooth and nail till the end. He could not accept the fact that Muslims should get opportunity of higher education.

 

[BD_India_friend]

how is it related to BD defence. Move this thread to members corner or somewhere else

 

[sbmc27]

That was Tagore's problem not us.
At the same time, can you imagine bangla language/ bangla literature without Tagore?
You have to judge any poet only for his literary values not by his personal life.
Most of the poets live an undisciplined life all over the world, consume alcohol and bang with prostitute.Even kazi Nazrul lived at those way!
So you can't satisfy a reader's appetite by Al Mahmud or Farrukh's type works only. You would have bad or good or fraud or any other type .
And reader can figure out what type of work suite him best.

India loosing no opportunity to extend its soft power. Bangladeshis should not get gaga over a man who called Muslims as "Jabon", a derogatory term, in his writings. Tagore had opposed the establishment of Dhaka Unv tooth and nail till the end. He could not accept the fact that Muslims should get opportunity of higher education.

 

[bluesky]

India loosing no opportunity to extend its soft power. Bangladeshis should not get gaga over a man who called Muslims as "Jabon", a derogatory term, in his writings. Tagore had opposed the establishment of Dhaka Unv tooth and nail till the end. He could not accept the fact that Muslims should get opportunity of higher education.

I think, the term "Jobon" was a common term to denote the Muslims as a whole. It may not be derogatory by them in those days. But, now the term is not used any more because we objected to it.

However, it is true that like any other Bangali Hindu Babu with zamindari, Tagore also was against the establishment of a University in Dhaka. But, the objection was given due to the reason that the Hindu brilliant students from east Bengal would not study in the Calcutta University any more. I do not think, the opposition was against the Muslims, because even 1% of the Muslim population did not attend the Primary Schools in those days. So, it was certainly not possible for them to enter a University in mass.

 

[sbmc27]

Agreed

I think, the term "Jobon" was a common term to denote the Muslims as a whole. It may not be derogatory by them in those days. But, now the term is not used any more because we objected to it.

However, it is true that like any other Bangali Hindu Babu with zamindari, Tagore also was against the establishment of a University in Dhaka. But, the objection was given due to the reason that the Hindu brilliant students from east Bengal would not study in the Calcutta University any more. I do not think, the opposition was against the Muslims, because even 1% of the Muslim population did not attend the Primary Schools in those days. So, it was certainly not possible for them to enter a University in mass.

 

[Gandh brandi]

I think, the term "Jobon" was a common term to denote the Muslims as a whole. It may not be derogatory by them in those days. But, now the term is not used any more because we objected to it.

However, it is true that like any other Bangali Hindu Babu with zamindari, Tagore also was against the establishment of a University in Dhaka. But, the objection was given due to the reason that the Hindu brilliant students from east Bengal would not study in the Calcutta University any more. I do not think, the opposition was against the Muslims, because even 1% of the Muslim population did not attend the Primary Schools in those days. So, it was certainly not possible for them to enter a University in mass.

Moreover wasn't Tagore an areligious himself? But hey let's make everything and everyone do something anti-islamic to further the propaganda, you know

 

[my2cents]

India loosing no opportunity to extend its soft power. Bangladeshis should not get gaga over a man who called Muslims as "Jabon", a derogatory term, in his writings. Tagore had opposed the establishment of Dhaka Unv tooth and nail till the end. He could not accept the fact that Muslims should get opportunity of higher education.

No, he was opposed to partitioning of Bangla by british on the basis of religion. He didn't felt the need for Dhaka university when Calcutta university will fulfil the needs of students.

 

[bluesky]

Actually the complex will be built totally out of the original area.
Of course it will create nuisance slightly, but you have to live with this and the world how it works.

You mean to say that the old main building(s), pond will be retained as it is except a little refurbishing. It is acceptable. But, BD govt. should get away from Indian patronage. We can wait for a few years if there is little or no money to spend now.