Santiniketan becomes UNESCO heritage site

During the 45th Session of the World Heritage Committee held in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, Santiniketan, a town situated in West Bengal, was officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, as announced by UNESCO in a social media post on "X". Established in 1901 by the renowned poet and philosopher Tagore, Santiniketan served as both a residential school and a center for artistic pursuits rooted in ancient Indian traditions, embodying a vision of universal human unity that transcended religious and cultural divides.

In 1921, Santiniketan evolved into a "world university" known as "Visva Bharati," emphasizing the idea of global human interconnectedness.

Distinguished from the prevalent architectural styles of British colonialism in the early 20th century and European modernism, Santiniketan represented a distinctive approach to pan-Asian modernity, drawing inspiration from ancient, medieval, and folk traditions spanning the entire region.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his pride on Sunday at Santiniketan in West Bengal being included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. In a message shared on "X," PM Modi expressed his delight, stating, "Delighted that Santiniketan, which embodies Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore's vision and India's rich cultural heritage, has been inscribed on the @UNESCO World Heritage List. This is a moment of pride for all Indians."

Similarly, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her joy at Santiniketan's inclusion in UNESCO's World Heritage List, highlighting its significance as the town associated with Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore.

She referred to Santiniketan as a source of pride for the people of Bengal, nurtured by the poet and cherished by generations. India had long pursued UNESCO recognition for this cultural treasure located in the Birbhum district.

"Glad and proud that our Santiniketan, the town of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, is now finally included in UNESCO's World Heritage List. Biswa Bangla's pride, Santiniketan was nurtured by the poet and has been supported by people of Bengal over the generations. We from the Government of West Bengal have significantly added to its infrastructure in last 12 years and the world now recognizes the glory of the heritage place. Kudos to all who love Bengal, Tagore, and his messages of fraternity. Jai Bangla, Pranam to Gurudev."said the Chief Minister

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