New Delhi, 07 August (H.S.): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah and several other leaders on Friday paid tribute to Nobel laureate and author of India's national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, Rabindranath Tagore on his death anniversary.

Om Birla said in a post on X that heartfelt tributes were being paid to Tagore, whom he described as a towering architect of India's cultural renaissance, a world poet, Nobel laureate and the author of the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.

Birla said Tagore was not merely a great poet but also a philosopher, educationist, musician, painter, social reformer and humanitarian thinker. Through his literary works, educational philosophy and cultural vision, Tagore gave a new direction to India's collective consciousness.

He noted that by receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for Gitanjali, Tagore brought Indian literature global recognition. According to Birla, Tagore believed that education was not merely a means of acquiring knowledge but the foundation for the holistic development of an individual and independent thought. His works, Birla said, continue to inspire society to become more sensitive, aware and humane.

Amit Shah said Tagore gave voice to the soul of India through his writings and infused a new sense of consciousness into the freedom movement. His immortal composition, Jana Gana Mana, he said, represents the nation's collective consciousness and sense of self-pride.

Shah also highlighted Tagore's establishment of Visva-Bharati University, saying that through the institution, he placed the richness of Indian culture, philosophy and education on the global stage. Tagore's literature, he added, continues to remain an inexhaustible source of inspiration for millions of Indians.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari paid his respects to Tagore, describing him as the Nobel laureate who embodied the true spirit of the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.

Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh said Tagore would always remain in the hearts of Indians for his invaluable and timeless literary works, profound ideas and unparalleled dedication to literature, through which he brought glory to Indian philosophy and culture on the global stage.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol said Tagore conveyed the messages of humanity, patriotism and universal brotherhood. Through his writings, ideas and literary works, Tagore gave Indian literature and culture a global identity, Mohol said, adding that his invaluable contributions and inspirational ideas would continue to guide generations to come.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar