New Delhi: Rabindranath Tagore, the first Indian to be awarded the Nobel prize, was born on this day in 1861. The poet, who gave India, and also Bangladesh, their National Anthem, was also a philosopher, a playwright, and an artist, besides a thinker and philosopher who is considered one of the greatest revolutionaries India has ever produced. 


Tagore was born on the 25th day of the Bengali month of Boishakh. In 1861, the day on the Gregorian calendar was May 7. Bengalis, however, observe Rabindra Jayanti on Pochishe (25th) Boishakh, and according to the Bengali calendar, it's on May 9.       


The polymath, who would have turned 161 years old today, has remained contemporary with his writings and thoughts find relevance even today.


10 Most Inspiring Quotes By Rabindranath Tagore 


"Patriotism cannot be our final spiritual shelter; my refuge is humanity. I will not buy glass for the price of diamonds, and I will never allow patriotism to triumph over humanity as long as I live"


“You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.”


“It is very simple to be happy, but it is very difficult to be simple.” 


“If you cry because the sun has gone out of your life, your tears will prevent you from seeing the stars.”


“Don't limit a child to your own learning, for she was born in another time.” 


“A mind all logic is like a knife all blade. It makes the hand bleed that uses it.” 


“Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.” 


“Love is an endless mystery, because there is no reasonable cause that could explain it.”


“Men are cruel, but Man is kind."


“Life's memories are not life's history, but the original work of an unseen artist” 


(All quotes sourced from www.goodreads.com)