New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he ended his speech by citing a song penned by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
Concluding his speech, PM Modi said: “I end my address with the words of Nobel laureate Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. Shubh Karmopete Dharo Nirbhai Anthem. Shab darbal sangshai hok aboshan”.
“Means go fearlessly on the path of your good work. All doubts and obstacles will end. In today’s world, this message is relevant to the United Nations as well as all the responsible countries. I am sure that with our efforts the world Peace and harmony will be promoted in India. It will make the world healthy, safe and prosperous,” PM Modi said.
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Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Connection
The lines quoted by the prime minister roughly translates to: “Sing your fearless song on all good missions. Let all doubt and confusion go away”.
According to Gitabitan, a website dedicated to the songs of Rabindranath Tagore, the song Shubh Karmopete Dharo Nirbhai was written on January 24, 1937.
It is said that the song is also related to Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, a former Union Minister, renowned educationist and founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
The website credits ‘Rabindra-Jiboni’, a biography of Probhatkumar Mukhopadhyay, that it was at the request of the then Vice-Chancellor of Kolkata University – Shyama Prasad Mukhopadhyay – that the poet wrote a special song to be sung on February 27, 1937. as the foundation day of the university.
“First the song ‘Shubho Karmopete Dharo Nirbhay Gaan…’ was written, followed by another song ‘Chalo Jai Chalo…’. The second one was selected by the university authority. It was held for a few days in Santiniketan. The rehearsals of the song continued. Students were seen following a queue while going in and out of the temple, where practice sessions were held under the leadership of Pramukh Dhirendra Mohan Sen. Though the song did not gain popularity, other songs ‘Shubho Karmopate…’ was seen sung on a few occasions. Students sang the song on the foundation day of Kolkata University,” reads an anecdote on Gitabeatan.
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PM Modi’s advice to the United Nations
Meanwhile, in his address, PM Modi reiterated India’s commitment to start exporting COVID vaccines to those in need in other countries. He called upon the manufacturers to “come, make the vaccine in India”.
I want to inform UNGA that India has developed the world’s first DNA vaccine, which can be administered to all people above the age of 12 years.
I also invite vaccine manufacturers from all over the world today to- Come, Make Vaccine in India.#PMmodiAtUNGA pic.twitter.com/iA10QyNpXW
— BJP (@BJP4India) September 25, 2021
He also said that if the United Nations is to remain relevant, it will need to improve its effectiveness and enhance its credibility, emphasizing the need to strengthen the world body to protect the global order, laws and values.
“If the UN wants to remain relevant. It will need to improve its effectiveness and increase its credibility,” he said, as quoted by news agency PTI.
PM Modi said, “We have seen such questions being raised related to the climate crisis and during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
He added that: “The ongoing proxy wars in many parts of the world, terrorism and the recent crisis in Afghanistan have further highlighted the seriousness of these questions”.
“With regard to the origins of COVID-19 and the ranking of ease of doing business, institutions of global governance have eroded the credibility they have built after decades of hard work,” the Prime Minister said.
He stressed that “it is imperative that we continue to strengthen the United Nations to protect the global order, global laws and global values.”
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