UNESCO's World Heritage status for Santiniketan is proud moment: PM Modi

Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed delight at Shantiniketan, the abode of Poet Ranindranath Tagore, to become a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Status.

"Delighted that Santiniketan, an embodiment of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore's vision and India's rich cultural heritage, has been inscribed on the @UNESCO World Heritage List. This is a proud moment for all Indians," PM Modi said in a post on X on Sunday.

<

Delighted that Santiniketan, an embodiment of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore's vision and India's rich cultural heritage, has been inscribed on the @UNESCO World Heritage List. This is a proud moment for all Indians. https://t.co/Um0UUACsnk

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 17, 2023 >

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is on an official visit to Spain, while paying homage to the Novel laureate, said " Biswa Bangla's pride, Santiniketan was nurtured by the poet and has been supported by people of Bengal over the generations."

In a tweet (now X) she said, "We from the Government of West Bengal have significantly added to its infrastructure in last 12 years and the world now recognises the glory of the heritage place. Kudos to all who love Bengal".

The Archaeological Survey of India said, " A momentous achievement for India as Santiniketan, West Bengal, has been officially inscribed on @UNESCO's World Heritage List, becoming 41st World Heritage Property of India.

" The historic decision was made in the 45th World Heritage Committee Meeting held in Riyadh Saudi Arabia," the ASI said on its X post.

Shantiniketan is a neighbourhood of Bolpur town in the Bolpur subdivision of Birbhum district in West Bengal, approximately 152 km north of Kolkata.

It was established by Maharshi Devendranath Tagore, and later expanded by his son, Rabindranath Tagore whose vision became what is now a university town with the creation of Visva-Bharati, a central university. (UNI)

(Photo: X/All India Radio)