TAGORE AND TRAIN
Kolkata, May 08, 2023:
“This little flute of a reed thou hast carried over hills and dales, and hast breathed through it melodies eternally new”, - These words of Rabindranath Tagore in “Song Offerings” perhaps have some reflection with the Indian Railways, the network of which passed through variety of landscape of this country experiencing the flora and fauna and people of different culture united through the common lifeline, the Railway network. The great poet and noble laureate, Rabindranath Tagore had a pleasant association with this Railway from the age of 11 years 9 months, on 14th February 1873, till his last journey from Bolpur to Howrah on 25th July 1941.The Tagore family has also a close relationship with the Railways in India as Rabindranath’s Grand Father Prince Dwarkanath Tagore, an industrialist who owned several collieries near Raniganj, was so impressed on seeing the railway in England in 1843 that he wanted to build a railway line to his collieries. He set up a Company called the Great Western Bengal Railway Company primarily for the movement of agricultural and mineral products from Raniganj and Rajmahal Coalfields. In the meantime, R McDonald Stephenson had already floated shares for East India Railway Company incorporated in England. Dwarkanath’s efforts in England to persuade the East India Company to allow construction of the line came to naught when his scheme was rejected by the Court of Directors of East India Company because they did not want to permit a company under native management to construct such an important railway line.
Rabindranath himself is said to have traveled by train for the first time when he was 11 years and 9 months old as he traveled on a half ticket from Howrah to Bolpur on 14th February 1873. Ironically, Rabindranath’s last journey was also between the same two stations Bolpur to Howrah on 25th July 1941 just two weeks before his death.
The then Chief Operating Superintendent of EIR, Nibaran Chandra Ghosh provided his salon EIR 2377 for the poet and accompanied him from Bolpur to Howrah. The saloon was attached to Pakur passenger and reached Howrah at 2:40 p.m. This was to be the last journey of Rabindranath Tagore.
The saloon has been refurbished and is preserved in “Chirantani” near Bolpur station building in the same condition.
On the wake of the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore on the 25th day of Baisakh, the Eastern Railway family once again bows its head in memory of this great poet. Gurudev’s last journey is still remembered by this Railway as it is embedded in the deep corner of the psyche of the Railway fraternity, which can be best expressed in the words of Tagore “At the end of the stony path, in the country of virgin solitude, my friend is sitting all alone. Deceive him not. Wake, oh awaken!”
