Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Rabindranath in America - Pasadena, California (contd-16)

Rabindranath came to Pasadena in California and got in the Hotel Maryland . Many well to do persons wanted him as their guest but rejected everyone's request. He read the essay, "The cult of Nationalism" before two thousand persons in the auditorium of the school at 8 pm. The poet was introduced by Prof. Reginald Tole of the English department of Throop College of Technology, under whose auspices the lecture was given.
Though his health and mind did not permit this tour program of delivering lectures but the huge audience inspired him to new determination.
He wrote a long letter to Rathindranath from Los Angeles;
"I am moving from this city to that to deliver lecture like a hurry can tour. My agent are engaged in this profession in two gemerations - according to him, they have arranged so many lectures but do not find  so many people to come. Peoples are going back for want of accommodation. I think it is the right time that God have placed me in such a place. It seems that my idea will go deep into the minds of the students.I am pleased to see their enthusiasm. But this hurry can tour is very painful to me. I'm bearing all the troubles to introduce  my school at Santiniketan in the whole world. That place should remain open for the development of humanity of the whole wold - it is the end of narrow-nationalism now a days. The great union of the  people of the whole world should begin at this corner of Bolpur.That place should develop  independently from Geographical and Historical identities -- I presume so. I want to sow the seed of victory of human being at that place. To cut of all bondage of nationalism  is the task at the end of my life. For this reason, God has anchored my boat at this Western ghat without any prior information and I have to accept it as desired."