The UNESCO on Wednesday accorded heritage status to West Bengal’s Durga Puja festival. The UN agency on its Twitter account said that “Durga Puja in Kolkata has just been inscribed on the intangible heritage list. Congratulations India.”
It also posted a picture of an idol of the goddess attached to it.
GREAT PRIDE
Reacting to the development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it a matter of great pride. “A matter of great pride and joy for every Indian” he tweeted, while also sharing the post of UNESCO.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed his happiness at the development. Taking to Twitter he said, “The auspicious Durga Puja reflects India’s splendid cultural heritage and spirit of unity. It is great to learn that this iconic festival has been inscribed on UNESCO’s #IntangibleHeritage list. Every Indian is immensely proud”.
PROUD MOMENT
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called the announcement a proud moment for Bengal and said Durga Puja is an “emotion that unites everyone.”
“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, #DurgaPuja has been added to the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” We are all beaming with joy!” she tweeted.
UNESCO established its Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008 with the aim of ensuring better protection of important intangible cultural heritages worldwide and to spread awareness of their significance.
Source; UNI