Celebrating the Tagore and Nazrul Anniversary

Remarks by the Hon. David Kilgour, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Southeast and Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) to the Edmonton Bengali Association

Alberta Provincial Museum Auditorium, Edmonton

May 24, 2003

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Many thanks to the Edmonton Bengali Association and the community for inviting me to join you to celebrate the "Tagore and Nazrul Anniversary" and pay tribute to the two Great sons of India.

Since our formal relationship began more than three decades ago, Canada and Bengalis from India have worked together at the UN, the Commonwealth, and other peacekeeping missions. Collectively, we have promoted many of the values that Kazi (the great) Nazrul Islam and Rabindra Nath Tagore stood for.

As a passionate advocate for religious and ideological harmony, the voice of Kazi (the great) Nazrul Islam was an uncommon voice proclaiming the universal values of peace, justice and universal brotherhood. He once said that even though he was born in Bengal, he belonged to the world. As citizens of the world, we must continue his fight against bigotry, injustice, oppression and inequality. Kazi (the great) Nazrul Islam will always be a symbol of everfresh youth, valor, creativity and freedom.

Rabindra Nath Tagore was an exemplary humanist who travelled widely, attempting to spread the ideal of uniting people of different cultures. As the greatest writer in modern Indian literature, Tagore was a pioneer in Bengal renaissance and tried to combine Indian culture with Western thought. Although this man was born in aristocracy, he always wrote for the common people. He had an incredible ability to intercommunicate with all peoples, regardless of their origins. To this day, few people have possessed this gift the way Tagore did.

At a time where inter-faith dialogue is more important than ever, the world can learn a great deal from these two writers. They have set a model for bridging cultures as well as knowledge - a model needed now more than ever.

It’s encouraging to see that their spirit and their values live on at the Edmonton Bengali Association. Your community has made invaluable contributions to Edmonton and Canada’s mosaic. Cultural celebrations like these teach and preserve essential lessons about who we are, and allow us to build a stronger future together.

We have a wonderful night ahead of us. Let me extend a hearty congratulations to the Edmonton Bengali Association for organizing this event.

Thank you.