BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 5th June 2025 : In an effort to examine the continuing relevance of Rabindranath Tagore’s legacy, a significant debate will be held at Agartala Town Hall on June 07 at 6 PM. Organized jointly by URAN, a socio-cultural organization based in Tripura, and the Calcutta Debating Circle (CDC), the event promises an engaging discourse on Tagore’s influence beyond historical admiration.
Titled “Rabindranath Tagore is Not as Popular as He is Relevant,” the debate aims to explore whether Tagore’s intellectual and literary contributions hold greater significance today than mainstream popularity suggests.
The panel will feature a distinguished lineup of scholars, poets, journalists, and academics presenting opposing views.
Speaking in favor of the motion: Jahar Sarkar, former Member of Parliament and ex-Secretary of the Union Ministry of Culture; Ashok Deb, celebrated poet from Tripura; Arkaprabha Sarkar, journalist and analyst from West Bengal; Shubhrajit Bhattacharjee, orator and journalist; and Ipsita Ghosh, young debater and logician.
Arguing against the motion: Dr. Bidyut Chakraborty, former Vice-Chancellor of Visva-Bharati University; Shanit Debroy, Editor of Aajker Fariyad; Dr. Tamjoy Brahma, educationist and cultural figure; Nandini Bhattacharya, advocate for men’s rights; and Debarati Mukherjee, renowned writer from West Bengal
The debate will be moderated by Dr. Kunal Sarkar, a renowned cardiologist and speaker with Pradip Gupta serving as a discussant. The organizers have invited Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha and Kalyani Saha Roy, Chief Whip of the State Legislative Assembly to attend the event. Dr. Sumanta Chakraborty, President of URAN will preside over the evening with Dr. Ranabir Roy, Secretary of URAN confirming that the event will be open to the public. “This debate is not just an exchange of opinions; it’s an exploration of the multidimensional consciousness surrounding Rabindranath Tagore,” Dr. Ranabir Roy stated.
As Tagore’s philosophy continues to shape Bengali thought, this discussion is expected to highlight his lasting relevance beyond literary acclaim.
