Dhaka: The 156th birth anniversary of Biswakobi Rabindranath Tagore is being celebrated across the country on Monday—the 25^th of Baishakh in the Bengali Calendar. Tagore, who enriched Bengali language and literature with his astounding talent and merit, was born on May 7, 1861.

He composed hundreds of poems, short stories and seven novels to take the literary creations to their zenith.

The government and different socio‐cultural organisations are observing the day with elaborate programmes.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on this occasion.

This year, the theme of Tagore’s birth anniversary is ‘Religion of Humankind: Rabindranath and Contemporary Perceptiveness’.

A colourful event will be held at the Devendra Mancha of Katcharibari in Patisar under Naogaon district where President

Abdul Hamid will be present as the chief guest.

Cultural Affairs Minister Assaduzzaman Noor, Textiles and Jute Minister Emaz Uddin Pramanik, local lawmaker (Naogaon‐6) Israfil Alam, acting cultural secretary Mohammad Ibrahim Hossain Khan and Naogaon Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Aminur Rahman, among others, will be present on the occasion.

A 30‐minute cultural programme will also be held after discussion on the life and works of the Nobel laureate poet.

Besides, various programmes will be held at Shilaidah in Kushtia, Dakkhin (South)Dihi and Pithabogh in Khulna.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) will organise a programme focusing on the works of Tagore while an exhibition of his paintings will also be arranged.

The Cultural Affairs Ministry and Bangla Academy will publish a commemorative booklet and posters, marking the poet’s birth anniversary.