Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection Where words come out from the depth of truth Where the world has not been broken up into fragments Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high In this poem, besides political freedom from the British, Tagore also appeals to God for social, educational, and economic freedom for the people of India. Tagore lived during the time when India was ruled by the British. This poem is from his Nobel Prize-winning anthology ‘Gitanjali’. It was originally composed in Bengali and later he himself translated it into English. This poem is one of his vastly read and discussed poems. He became the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. The poem serves as a reminder of the importance of constantly striving for progress and staying true to the pursuit of knowledge and reason.(Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) was the author of Gitanjali and its ‘profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse’. In summary, 'Where the Mind is Without Fear' is a passionate plea for a world of unity, freedom, and enlightenment, where individuals can achieve their full potential without being hindered by fear, ignorance, or prejudice. Instead, it is guided by the divine force (thee) towards a continuous expansion of thoughts and actions. They emphasize that in this ideal world, the clear stream of reason is never lost in the barren desert of outdated habits and customs. In the second part of the poem, the speaker elaborates on this vision, highlighting the importance of tireless striving for perfection.

The poet envisions a united world where people are not separated by narrow, limiting beliefs and practices. In this world, knowledge is accessible to all, unencumbered by societal divisions or boundaries. The poem begins with the speaker expressing a desire for a world where the mind is fearless and people hold their heads high with pride and dignity.

It is a call for unity, enlightenment, and self-realization.

The poem is a powerful expression of the poet's vision for an ideal world, free from fear, prejudice, and ignorance. 'Where the Mind is Without Fear' is an evocative and inspiring poem by the renowned Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore.

Mind without fear book