Rabindranath Tagores Vision
These threads from. Rabindranaths
poem are the vital strands from which a fulfilling vision
of India 2020 can be woven.
Where the mind is without fear and the
head is held high.
Where knowledge is free.
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls.
Where words come out from the depth of truth.
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection.
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit.
Where the mind is led forward by Thee
Into ever-widening thought and action.
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country
Rabindranath Tagore
The vision articulated by Rabindranath Tagore
is all encompassing in every sense. It has laid down what
he considered to be the basic constituents of the heaven
of freedom. We can identify eight components of this
vision reflected in the poem quoted earlier, which we can
attempt to translate into operational terms for Indias
vision 2020.
Where the mind is without fear
Peace and security, internal as well as external, is the first
and most essential foundation for the nations future
progress. Fearlessness can only be attained when this security
extends to cover, over and above our physical safety, our
social rights and economic well being, to eliminate all forms
of vulnerability and discrimination.
Where the head is held high Self-respect and
self-esteem are the psychological foundations for the development
of individuality and individual initiative, which are the
means through which the nation builds its strength and fulfils
its aspirations. The nation prospers through the development
and flowering of all its citizens as individuals. Health,
education and employment opportunities for all, and awareness
of our rich spiritual and cultural heritage are the essential
bases for fostering self-respect and self-esteem.
Where knowledge is free Development
takes place when people become aware of opportunities for
advancement and acquire the knowledge needed to convert those
opportunities into practical accomplishments. Knowledge in
the form of education, technology and access to a wide range
of information is a catalyst for individual and social progress.
The free flow of knowledge is the basis for a free and prosperous
society.
Where the world has not been broken up
into fragments by narrow domestic walls The spirit
of globalisation which is rapidly reshaping the world today
cannot be better expressed. The accelerated flow and exchange
of trade, capital, technology, information and people will
create unprecedented opportunities for the progress and prosperity
of all countries that can transcend the narrow confines of
national boundaries. India can however realise its full potential
in the wider world only when it is internally united, surmounting
all the centrifugal forces that overlook our common heritage
and accentuate our differences.
Where words come out from the depth of
truth Integrity, honesty and trustworthiness are
the essential foundations for a successful democracy and a
prosperous society. Both good governance and commercial success
demand rigorous standards of transparency, accountability
and reliability in word and action.
Where tireless striving stretches its
arms towards perfection Prosperity is the result
of productivity and efficiency which require the highest level
of productive skills, technological excellence and human effort.
Where the clear stream of reason has not
lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Nations develop by choosing the best the future has to offer,
while being willing to discard outmoded ideas and behaviours
that retard future progress and even threaten to undermine
the countrys unity and strength.
Where the mind is led forward by Thee
into ever-widening thought and action Education,
innovation and creativity are the ultimate driving forces
for the continuous advancement of scientific knowledge and
material accomplishment.
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