Tarakeswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the people of West Bengal on the occasion of Paschimbanga Divas, highlighting the state’s immense contribution to India’s intellectual, cultural, political and spiritual development. In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, the Prime Minister described West Bengal as a land that has consistently provided new ideas, reform movements and inspiration whenever India sought transformation.
The message was delivered as celebrations marking the state’s foundation day took place across West Bengal. Modi noted the historical significance of the occasion and emphasised the enduring influence of the state’s people on the nation’s journey.
PM Modi highlights Bengal’s role in nation-building
In his letter, the Prime Minister said Paschimbanga Divas is an opportunity to honour the spirit of the people of West Bengal and recognise their role in shaping India’s collective identity.
Speaking about the state’s contributions across different periods of history, Modi remarked that West Bengal has repeatedly led India in the fields of thought, culture, literature, social reform and spirituality.
“Whenever India sought new ideas, West Bengal provided them. Whenever India sought a renaissance of thought, West Bengal illuminated the path. Whenever India yearned for artistic refinement, literary excellence or social awakening, West Bengal responded with unmatched vigour and imagination,” the Prime Minister said.
He further noted that the state has produced saints, thinkers and visionaries whose teachings have inspired people not only in India but across the world.
Tribute to the Bengal Renaissance
The Prime Minister also recalled the significance of the Bengal Renaissance, describing it as one of the most influential movements in modern Indian history.
According to Modi, the Bengal Renaissance transformed the consciousness of the nation and laid the foundation for intellectual and social progress. He credited the movement with producing scholars, philosophers, scientists and reformers who expanded the horizons of human knowledge and challenged outdated social practices.
The Prime Minister said that when India sought intellectual resurgence, Bengal responded with ideas and leadership that shaped the country’s future.
Vande Mataram and the freedom struggle
Modi also highlighted West Bengal’s contribution to India’s independence movement, particularly the role of the patriotic song Vande Mataram.
He noted that the song emerged from Bengal during the colonial period and became a powerful symbol of resistance and national pride. According to the Prime Minister, Vande Mataram captured the emotions of millions of Indians fighting for freedom.
The Prime Minister pointed out that India is marking 150 years of Vande Mataram this year and described the milestone as a celebration of devotion to the motherland.
Global recognition of Bengal’s cultural legacy
Referring to his recent visit to Slovakia, Modi said he witnessed Slovak singers performing Vande Mataram, an experience that reflected the song’s growing international recognition.
He said the performance demonstrated how the cultural and patriotic legacy of Bengal continues to resonate beyond India’s borders.
The Prime Minister added that the global appreciation for Vande Mataram highlights the enduring relevance of the ideals and values associated with the song.
Tarakeswar’s historical significance
Modi noted that he was marking the occasion in Tarakeswar, a place that holds special significance in relation to June 20 and the formation of West Bengal.
He described the day as not only a remembrance of an important historical milestone but also a celebration of a culture that has profoundly influenced India’s intellectual and spiritual foundations.
The Prime Minister said the contributions of Bengal continue to inspire future generations and remain central to India’s development story.
PM bows to Bengal’s stalwarts
In his concluding remarks, Modi paid tribute to the many personalities from West Bengal who have contributed to the nation’s progress in various fields.
He said the state has enriched India through its thinkers, artists, reformers, scientists and freedom fighters, whose achievements continue to inspire people across the country.
The Prime Minister extended his greetings to the people of West Bengal and expressed confidence that the state would continue to play a vital role in India’s growth and progress.
Conclusion
On Paschimbanga Divas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated West Bengal’s rich legacy of intellectual leadership, cultural excellence and social reform. From the Bengal Renaissance to the contribution of Vande Mataram, he highlighted the state’s pivotal role in shaping modern India and paid tribute to the generations of Bengalis whose ideas and achievements continue to influence the nation.