Ansari calls Tagore as India's 'true representative' to world

Balatonfureden (Hungary), Oct 17: Vice President Hamid Ansari has described nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore as a 'true representative' of India through whom many across the globe could see and understand the country in the early 20th century.

Paying floral tribute at a bust of Tagore installed in this picturesque lakeside city, Ansari said the nobel laureate had spent some days here in 1926 to recuperate from his heart ailments. Tagore's heart remained here forever, Ansari added.

"Tagore was a representative of India and a window for many to understand India," he said at a function attended by Mayor and prominent citizens yesterday evening.

The Vice President said India and Hungary share not only multi-dimensional political and economic ties but have a close people-to-people relations for long. Ansari also planted a sapling near Tagore's bust, saying he hoped it would one day be a big tree with proper care and nurturing similar to India-Hungary ties.

The city has named a street and a public square after Tagore to honour him. The city, located on the bank of Hungary's largest lake Balaton, was visited by many dignitaries in the past, including former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

PTI