Rabindranath's Contribution to the Socio-economic Development of Rural Bengal: In Light of Selected Short Stories/ গ্রাম বাংলার আর্থ-সামাজিক উন্নয়নে রবীন্দ্রনাথ : নির্বাচিত ছোটগল্পের আলোকে

Abstract

Rabindranath Tagore, one of the foremost short story writers in Bengali literature, highlighted various aspects of economic development in rural Bengal in his stories. He vividly portrays the challenges of rural life, social injustice, and the need for development, while reflecting his deep focus on human psychology and social progress. In his stories, Tagore underscored the vital role of education in empowering rural communities, seeing it as a path to personal and social liberation, and aimed to foster self-reliance through the effective use of local resources and skills. Tagore believed that national development hinged on the progress of villages, addressing issues like casteism, exploitation, ill health, illiteracy, and poverty. He devoted his life to rural development, advocating for cooperative movements and the use of local resources. His efforts included modernizing agriculture with better seeds and irrigation, promoting sustainable practices, and raising awareness about health and sanitation. Tagore’s ideas for improving village life are reflected in many of his stories and initiatives, including the establishment of health centres and economic organizations for farmers.

         We will try to explore the various aspects of Rabindranath Tagore's vision for rural development in our main discussion.