Tagore and his perspectives on Western world

Tagore had traveled all around Europe, middle East, America, Russia, Japan, South America, in short, almost the whole world in the 20s, and 30s of last century. He has written lucid accounts of his travels and perspectives.

We need to remember that during this time Europe was going through a major crisis. Communism was taking its root and Stalin's iron hand was almost established in East Europe. First world war was just over and Europe was still struggling to get out of the mess. In Italy and Germany fascists were fast gaining grounds. Persecution of Jews had taken legitimacy in many parts of Europe. British Empire was getting increasingly shaken, esp. in India by a thin, lean shrewd ascetic called Gandhi. Middle East was probably flourishing, Palestine crisis not yet created fully, Shahs were ruling Persia with a mighty fist and secularism was at its height there. Turkey had newly tasted democracy with Ottoman empire lying in pieces and Mustafa Kemal having established his authority.

Tagore was extremely pleased with the way Russia had carried out Educational reforms, thus making education available to millions of poor peasants and was ruing that if only we could do the same for India. He was amazed by the vast amount of energy being spent by Russians in carrying out cooperative agricultural works, thus increasing productivity. However all these were shown to him by the authorities. Even though the stories of mass purging and and Gulag stints were deeply buried under secrecy laws, he could sense that some of the things were not right. Therefore he said that if there is a great tidal wave in the ocean and we take refuge under a volcanic mountain thinking that this will protect us, then we are mistaken, because some day the volcano would definitely erupt -> How prophetic.

On Arab-Jews relationship he said "Jews must be patient in dealing with Arabs. Despite political obstacles Jews must keep their religious heritage intact. Come to your co Palestinians and tell them "you and we are old and stubborn races, we cannot subdue you and nor you can us". Establish a Palestinian commonwealth with separate identities and cultures for Arabs and Jews. The success will depend upon mutual understanding and cooperation, Jews need to free themselves of Western concept of nationalism and instead work toward a unified model where both Arabs and Jews can coexist."

He was delighted with the tolerance and friendship received in Iran under Shahs.