Tagore’s bust unveiled in Shanghai
By Kavita Bajeli-Datt, IANSSunday, May 30, 2010
SHANGHAI - President Pratibha Patil Sunday unveiled a bust of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore on a busy road in Shanghai to mark the poet’s visit to the city 86 years ago.
The unveiling took place at a simple ceremony on Maoming Road in the presence of senior city leaders.
China has announced it will establish a gallery in Kolkata in remembrance of the bard who visited the country in 1924.
The gallery was discussed at a meeting between Patil and her Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao.
The unveiling of the bust and China’s offer to set up the gallery comes as India begins year-long celebrations to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Tagore.
The Indian poet had been invited by the Beijing Lecture Association in 1923 to deliver a series of talks as part of its objective to have foreign scholars come and talk to Chinese intellectuals.
The Indian president is on a six-day visit to China.
