Matter Of Great Pride For India As Kolkata's Durga Puja Gets UNESCO Heritage Tag

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inscribed Kolkata’s Durga Puja on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is the first time in Asia, which gave Indians and especially the Bengalis sucha a reason to rejoice.

Kolkata is the first name that comes to our mind whenever we talk about the festival of Durga Pooja. This is because of the grand way of celebration the city hosts. Durga Puja of Kolkata is famous not only in India but all over the world. It is believed that the Durga Puja here really speaks to Indian culture. Keeping this in mind, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inscribed Kolkata’s Durga Puja on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which is the first time in Asia, on Wednesday, 15th December.

The move by UNESCO is really a moment of great pride for India. It has truly brought glory for the country which has been lauded by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bengal's Chief Minister, Mamta Banerjee. To know everything in detail, read on.

UNESCO Granted World Cultural Heritage Status

The United Nations body UNESCO on Wednesday accorded the Durga Puja festival of West Bengal the heritage status.

The organization announced in a tweet, "Durga puja in Kolkata has just been inscribed on the intangible heritage list. Congratulations India." They also attached a photo of the goddess with the hashtag 'living heritage'.

Who Is Given UNESCO Heritage Status?

UNESCO first started releasing the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the year 2008. The purpose was to make the world more aware of the importance of better protection and protection of some of the world's best cultural heritage. A proposal for Durga Puja of Kolkata to be added in the list was sent from India this year. Recognizing which UNESCO has given this honor to India.

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A Proud Moment For India

PM Modi hailed UNESCO's decision as a "matter of great pride and joy for every Indian".

"Durga Puja highlights the best of our traditions and ethos. And, Kolkata's Durga Puja is an experience everyone must have,” he said in a tweet.

“Durga Puja and it is our proud and historic moment. It is a red-letter day for us. Our congratulations to all the people of Bengal, country and the world. We convey our thanks and gratitude to UNESCO for the recognition bestowed on this great festival as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,” West Bengal said in a statement.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee while expressing her happiness also took to social media and wrote, “Proud moment for Bengal! To every Bengali across the world, Durga Puja is much more than a festival, it is an emotion that unites everyone. And now, Durga Puja has been added to the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. We are all beaming with joy!”

The Ministry of Culture, too, took to the microblogging platform to extend its wishes to the residents of the city on this achievement.

"Overjoyed that 'Durga Puja in Kolkata' joins the @UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Many congratulations! It is a confluence of the rich heritage and culture of the county's art, crafts, rituals and practices. Jai Maa Durga!" the ministry wrote.

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This is a proud moment for India, and we are delighted that Kolkata is receiving the attention it deserves.

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