The bright sunny day of stainless autumn sky in the backdrop of dazzling Kanchanjungha, the ingredients were perfectly matched for our day out in Kalimpong, with Yogesh. The young man was very relaxed to share his stories of life while driving the car.
 |
| the ultimate natural backdrop at Kalimpong |
Dr. Graham`s home was eternally peaceful with its vast and picturesque landscape surrounded by the eye catching century old buildings. Previously known as the St. Andrew`s colonial homes and renamed Dr. Graham`s home, after the name of its founder, John Anderson Graham. The Scottish missionary, among his other contributions would continue to live in the mind of peoples of Kalimpong, for his relentless effort to educate the children of the weaker section of the society and effort to enlighten the local cultivators with modern techniques. The wide open surrounding of the Institution was established with the perspective of broad thinking, evoked the lines in my mind,
..................... “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”
From the lines of the poem,
Where the mind is without fear by Rabindranath Tagore
 |
| Dr.Graham`s home,Kalimpong |
Rabindranath Tagore visited the historic Institution and amidst the serene vast landscapes with heavenly tranquility the two great men had their communions.
 |
| the building inside the premises,Kalimpong |
Yogesh was very keen for my complete sightseeing in Kalimpong before the dusk. He was certain that Chitra Bhanu was the house where Rabindranath Tagore used to spend his days in Kalimpong. He said every time he came, he found it was locked. The fact was, Chitrabhanu was no longer an existing property of the Tagore family though it was constructed by Pratima Devi, daughter-in-law of Rabindranath Tagore and visitors entry were restricted after it was acquired by the Education Directorate of the state,in 1965.
Yogesh was unaware; actually it was Gouripur House, where Rabindranath Tagore, the great litterateur, did spend his days in Kalimpong on few occasions, and he inaugurated the live broadcast of the All India Radio from Kalimpong. In spite of his illness, Rabindranath Tagore, visited Kalimpong for the last time in 1941, and was taken to Kolkata from the Gouripur house, after he was seriously ill. Construction of Chitra Bhanu was complete after Rabindranath Tagore`s death.
 |
| in front of Chitra-Bhanu,Kalimpong |
Kalimpong was very attractive destination with its outstanding picturesque beauty to bask under the munificent environment. The unique architectural buildings of Dr. Graham`s home with its hypnotic environment was speechlessly mesmeric and still indelibly engrossed in my mind. At the same time it was very unfortunate; “Gouripur house” was not a familiar name even among the local residents. Gouripur house would have the same importance as Dr.Graham`s home, from the tourism point of view and at the same time, deep concern was required in preserving the memories of our Nobel laureate.
No comments:
Post a Comment