The West Bengal government today sought the Centre's support to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore next year including renovation of his ancestral home at Jorasanko here.
"I would request for contribution of the Central government for renovation of Jorasanko Thakurbari and for the different programmes of the state government so that we can observe the 150th birth anniversary of Tagore with due respect and fervour," chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Besides renovation of the poet's ancestral home, the state government's initiatives include organising cultural programmes, exhibitions, seminars and rebuilding of the Nimtala Ghat where Tagore was cremated, Bhattacharjee said.
Pointing out that the UNESCO had also announced plans to celebrate Tagore's 150th anniversary worldwide, he said, "the Government of India may also request UNESCO for extending their support to the process."
Secretariat sources said that the state-run Bangla Academy has decided to publish a special edition of Tagore's works as part of the celebrations. The total cost of the celebrations has been estimated at around Rs14 crore, they said.
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