Thursday, June 28, 2012

Rabindranath in West And South India (contd-5)

Cancelling  the programme to deliver a lecture in Madras, Rabindranath started for Coimbatore at night in the West Coast Mail on 1st Oct.  Principal K.S. Baithinathan of Government College and  R.K.Sammugam, member of Legislative Council, greeted Rabindranath at the Podanur Station.

Podanur , is a neighbourhood in the city of Coimbatore  in Tamil Nadu, India. Its history goes back to the creation of a major railway station and colony during British rule. The station has lost its importance after the major railway stations were built at Coimbatore and Palakkad. However, it is still a significant junction and a few trains that do not go to Coimbatore stop at Podanur.
Podanur was an important location during the British era, and it served as a major colony for the British. The quarters built and used by the British are still used by the Indian Railways.
Sathappa Chettiar, the owner of Mill with a team of business men came at the Coimbatore Station and garlanded him. He explained the ideals of Viswabharati and appealed to the businessmen for contributing to the fund of Viswabharati.
Andrews delivered a lecture at Thomas memorial Hall of the Govt. College about Santiniketan.