Governor Calls on Bengal to Play a Leading Role in India’s Development Journey

PTI, June 19, 2026, Kolkata: West Bengal Governor R. N. Ravi on Friday said Bengal played a defining role in India’s intellectual, cultural and national awakening, and it must again rise to a position of leadership and contribute significantly to the country’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.

In a video message issued by his office on the occasion of Paschimbanga Divas, he extended greetings to the people of the state and paid tribute to Bengal’s rich cultural heritage, intellectual traditions and contribution to nation-building.

“This day celebrates the formation of our state and Bengal’s rich cultural heritage, timeless traditions and enduring contribution to the making of modern Bharat,” Ravi said.

The governor noted that Bengal had enriched every sphere of national life, including literature, music, art, spirituality, education, science and social reform.

Ravi described Bengal as a “fountainhead of ideas, creativity and national inspiration”, and said the state’s history was deeply intertwined with India’s awakening, struggle and resurgence.

Referring to the Bengal Renaissance, he said it ushered in a new era of intellectual inquiry, social reform and national self-confidence.

The governor recalled the contributions of spiritual leaders and reformers, including Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, saying their work advanced education, social justice and human dignity while helping shape the moral conscience of the nation.

He also paid tribute to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, whose “Vande Mataram” inspired the freedom movement, and to Rabindranath Tagore, whose “Jan Gan Man” gave voice to the spirit of a diverse India.

The governor highlighted the contributions of Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo, Jagadish Chandra Bose, Prafulla Chandra Ray, Subhas Chandra Bose and Syama Prasad Mookerjee, saying they helped shape the ideas, institutions and aspirations that continue to guide India’s progress.

Ravi said Paschim Banga Divas also serves as a reminder of the trauma of Partition, which caused immense suffering and displacement.

He paid homage to Mookerjee and his associates, saying their efforts ensured that West Bengal remained an integral part of India.

“On this day, we pay our humble gratitude to Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and his revolutionary colleagues whose sacrifices and efforts made it possible to keep West Bengal as an integral part of Bharat,” he said.

The governor urged people to draw lessons from that period and safeguard social harmony, unity and national cohesion.

“Their experience reminds us that social harmony, unity and national cohesion must be cherished, strengthened and safeguarded by every generation. Let us remain vigilant against forces of division and discord and reaffirm our collective commitment to the values that bind us together as one people and one nation,” he said.

Expressing optimism about the state’s future, Ravi said Bengal was witnessing renewed confidence in its future. The state is rediscovering its inherent strength and harnessing its talent, creativity and enterprise, giving fuller expression to opportunities that were long constrained.

“Today, Bengal is witnessing renewed confidence in its future. The state is rediscovering its inherent strength and harnessing its talent, creativity and enterprise, giving fuller expression to opportunities that were long constrained,” he said.

As India moves towards the goal of becoming a developed nation, the governor said Bengal must once again assume a leading role.

“As our nation marches forward towards the national resolve of Viksit Bharat, Bengal must once again rise to its historic calling. The land that helped lead Bharat’s awakening must now help lead Bharat’s transformation,” he said.

Calling upon young people, entrepreneurs, farmers, workers, professionals and scholars to contribute towards the state’s development, Ravi said Bengal’s talent, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit remained among its greatest strengths.

“Inspired by our glorious heritage, strengthened by our achievements and guided by the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, let us work together with renewed resolve to build a stronger, more prosperous and developed Bengal,” he said.