“Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls;
Where words come out from the dept of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary sand of dead habit;
Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action –
Into that heaver of freedom, my father, let my country awake.”
– Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore, the first Asian to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, wrote the above lines in his famous book "Gitanjali." The quote is a prayer to God for a world that is free from fear and narrow-mindedness, where knowledge is freely available, and where individuals strive tirelessly towards perfection. It paints a picture of an ideal society that we all aspire to live in.
The quote starts with the phrase, "Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high." It speaks of a world where people are not afraid to speak their minds, to express their opinions, and to take a stand for what they believe in. It is a call for people to be proud of who they are and to hold their heads high, even in the face of adversity.
The next line, "Where knowledge is free," emphasizes the importance of education and the need for it to be available to everyone. Education is not just about learning facts and figures but is also about learning how to think critically and analyze situations. When knowledge is free, people have the power to make informed decisions and to bring about positive change in the world.
The line, "Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls," refers to the importance of breaking down barriers that divide people, whether they are based on race, religion, or social class. It is a call for unity, for people to come together, and for us to recognize that we are all part of the same global community.
"Where words come out from the depth of truth" speaks to the importance of honesty and integrity. In a world where fake news and misinformation are rampant, it is crucial to speak the truth, even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular. The line reminds us that the truth is powerful and that we must never be afraid to speak it.
"Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection" encourages us to strive towards excellence and to never settle for mediocrity. It is a reminder that there is always room for improvement and that we should always be working towards becoming our best selves.
The line, "Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit," warns against complacency and the danger of falling into old habits and routines. It is a call for us to be open to new ideas and to challenge the status quo.
Finally, the quote ends with the line, "Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action - Into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake." It is a call for us to embrace freedom and to work towards creating a society where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
In conclusion, Tagore's quote is a powerful message that speaks to the importance of education, unity, honesty, hard work, and freedom. It is a call to action for us to work towards creating a world where these values are at the forefront of everything we do. As we continue to navigate the complexities of the world, we must never forget the importance of these ideals and strive towards creating a better world for ourselves and future generations.