‘O my heart, awaken slowly…’: Mamata Banerjee shares Tagore message while Suvendu Adhikari takes oath on Pochishe Boishakh
The Statesman | 10 May 2026
West Bengal saw two very different moments unfold on Saturday. While thousands gathered in Kolkata to witness BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari take oath as the state’s new chief minister, former CM Mamata Banerjee marked Rabindra Jayanti with a message filled with reflection.
The occasion was Pochishe Boishakh, the 25th day of the Bengali month of Baishakh, celebrated across Bengal as the birth anniversary of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
In a post shared on X, Mamata Banerjee offered tribute to Tagore and described his philosophy as a guide for everyday life. Her message came at a politically sensitive moment, just as Bengal formally entered a new chapter under BJP rule after 15 years of Trinamool Congress government.
In her post, Mamata Banerjee called Rabindra Jayanti a celebration of Bengali language, culture, and heritage. She referred to Tagore as a “world-renowned supreme thinker and poet laureate” and said his teachings remain deeply relevant even today.
Mamata wrote that Tagore had taught the world that “division is not the truth; unity is.” She also mentioned that the poet rose above aggressive nationalism and gave humanity a message of togetherness.
The former chief minister said Tagore’s “profound philosophy” acts as an “eternal guiding light” in daily life.
The tribute included lines from Tagore’s famous poem Bharat-Tirtha. Mamata quoted:
“O my heart, awaken slowly at this holy pilgrimage site,
At the ocean-shore of this great soul of India.”
Across Bengal, Rabindra Jayanti celebrations are taking place in schools, cultural institutions, and public gatherings.
For many Bengalis, Pochishe Boishakh is not just a cultural festival but also an emotional reminder of Bengal’s literary identity. Mamata Banerjee has often used Tagore’s words in political speeches and public events during her years in office.
At the Brigade Parade Grounds in Kolkata, Suvendu Adhikari officially took oath as the first BJP chief minister of West Bengal since Independence. The ceremony marked the end of the Trinamool Congress’s 15-year rule in the state.
Senior BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, attended the swearing-in event. Thousands of BJP supporters from different districts of Bengal and neighbouring states gathered at the venue.
CRPF personnel and Kolkata Police created a multi-layered security system to manage crowds and maintain order during the high-profile event.