Rabindranath Tagore changed the date for starting his journey, several times, for South America. Ultimately he started with his party on 19the Sept.,1924. Here was a reporting from Anandabazar Patrika in the afternoon issue, "aparahne" that he started for Madras by Howrah mail on 19th Sept. In the party there were Rathindranath, Pratima Devi, Nandini, Surendranath Kar, Girijapati Bhattacharya, and Bijoy Basu. Girijapati, the brother of Dr. Pashupati Bhattacharya wrote;
" When he heard that I have determined to go to France for study how to manufacture scent, he told to be his co-passanger, The poet said, ' Bijoy Basu was nominated from Viswabharati for going to France to be trained in industry for scent. He also nominated me to go to France from Viswabharati."" though both of them were going with their own fund."
The train reached Madras on 21st Sept in the morning. Before that he was awakened by a group of scout boys in the station of Villapuram to accord falicitation to me. An unknown Patrika reported;
" The "Sivaji Rovers" of
Vallapuram , with their Scout Master, Mr.K.RR. Sastry M.A. waited at the Vallapuram Railway Station on 21.9.24 to read an address of
bon voyage to Dr. Rabindranath Tagore. Dr. Tagore was was fast asleep in his carriage when Scouter K.R.R.Sastry gently wake him up. Through all too weary, he was full of gracious smiles when he saw many eager scouts rounded him him. Th poet was garlanded and an address was readby Mr. Sastry and presented to him. In reply, Dr. Tagore said, that scouts in India should not be content with the stereotyped types of drills and games which found favor in the west ....The poet appreciated the fact that songs of the Tamil saints were sung daily by the Rovers. The poet gave an account of the good work done by his Scouts in villages by way of removing the marshes and cleansing wells.
He reached Madras on 21 Sept and started for Colombo in the evening on that day. He reached there on 23rd Dec.
Ceylon Observer wrote; " Dr. Rabindranath Tagore arrived in Colombo this morning by the Talaimanner route and proceeded to Sravasti, Cinamons Garden, the residence of Dr. W.A. de Silva, where he remained during his stay in Colombo....
