Tagore could not preside over the rituals of 7th Poush at the ashram in 1940 for his ailment. He felt pained that it was the first time he could not attend, though he was present in Shantiniketon. He dictated his address to his secretary Shri Amiyo Chakrovorty beforehand. Shri Kshitimohon Sen read out that speech in the morning of 7th Poush.
Tagore said in that address that as he was going through a protracted illness, he could understand what recovery meant and signified. He further added that a good physique and mind were an asset to life. Through a thoroughly fit body and mind one could contribute to the overall wellness of the world. The world then could become a happy place. During youth hood, as the mind got distracted to miscellaneous extraneous cravings, it was impossible to comprehend the full potential of soul. With time, when the nagging cravings were overcome, the truth of life and humanity could be realized. And peace then knocked on the door of agile mind that was free from bondage to needs.
Tagore went on to say that European civilisation, since its inception, was busy in looting continents like Asia and Africa. That civilization exploited science to create an environ of fear. On the other hand there were nations, who were forced to fight; but they fought for peace.
Tagore believed that those nations who built and spread their empires on the mantra of greed could not get themselves free from self-deceit. And that greed would eventually lead to their downfall.
Within three years of Tagore’s last address on 7th Poush, Hitler’s Germany fell.
Tagore said that it was necessary to learn from history and go for coarse-correction. For peace, welfare and integration of humanity spiritual upliftment was needed. It was that upliftment which led the Pandavas to go for renunciation after a gory victory over the Kauravas at the kurukshetra. The Panadavas fought for peace, not for the assertion of materialistic power, at the expense of enormous human lives and blood. The Mahabharata gave a roadmap of ultimate peace through battle.
Tagore saw that the world was in preparedness for a war to store up wealth. Humanity was crucified. On 7th Poush he said that Bharot, his country, was always an apostle of peace and the country could lead from the front to usher in peace.
Bharot, that is India, has an onerous job cut out to honour one of her bright poets through her deeds and actions.