​Durga Puja's UNESCO Recognition - 'The Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity'

UNESCO has added Durga Puja to the representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The sixteenth Committee of UNESCO for safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in its meeting held in Paris has inscribed Durga PUJA in Kolkata on the representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This is the first festival in Asia to attain recognition as UNESCO ICH of Humanity. 48 nominations had been submitted for inscription on the Representative List of ICH of humanity. The nominations were reviewed by an Analysis Body who made recommendations to the Committee for its decision. The Committee approved the decision of the inscription of Durga Puja in Kolkata. UNESCO additionally recommended the involved organizations in Kolkata for their initiatives to involve marginalized groups and individuals as well as women in their participation in safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that it's a matter of great pride and joy for every Indian. He said, Durga Puja highlights the most effective of Indian traditions and ethos and Kolkata’s Durga Puja is an expertise everybody must-have.

Culture Minister G Kishen Reddy said that this is a recognition of the confluence of India's rich heritage, culture, rituals, and practices and a celebration of female divinity and the spirit of womanhood.

Welcoming the move, the government of West Bengal explicit that this recognition by UNESCO symbolizes success of the cultural richness of Bengal. In a tweet, Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee said that it's a 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.