Northeast India’s historic Maidam has been nominated to enter UNESCO’s popular World Heritage List as the country’s 43rd World Heritage Site and North East India’s first heritage to get the status of Cultural World Heritage. This was announced during the 46th World Heritage Committee Meeting which is being hosted in India for the first time.
Happening for the first time in India, the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday. The World Heritage Committee meets annually and is responsible for managing all matters on World Heritage and deciding on sites to be inscribed on the World Heritage list.
Underlining the significance of heritage, the Prime Minister said, “Heritage is not only history. Rather a shared consciousness of humanity. Whenever we look at historical sites, it lifts our mind from the current geo-political factors.” He encouraged people to use this potential of heritage for the betterment of the world, using them to connect hearts. “It is India’s clarion call to the world to come together to promote each other’s heritage and amplify the spirit of human welfare, encourage tourism and create more job opportunities through the 46th World Heritage Committee meeting,” Modi added.
Referring to the artifacts returned from abroad the Prime Minister mentioned that more than 350 heritage items have been brought back in recent times. “This return of ancient heritage artifacts is a display of global generosity and respect for history”, the Prime Minister said. He also pointed out the growing research and tourism opportunities in the field as the technology progresses.
Applauding the World Heritage Committee, the Prime Minister said that hosting this program is a matter of pride for India. He highlighted that Northeast India’s historic Maidam has been nominated to enter UNESCO’s popular World Heritage List. “This is India’s 43rd World Heritage Site and North East India’s first heritage to get the status of Cultural World Heritage,” Modi said, expressing belief that Maidam with its unique cultural significance will become more popular and gain more traction after bagging a place in the list.
The Prime Minister highlighted India’s rich heritage, stating, “India is so ancient that every moment reflects its glorious past.” He pointed to New Delhi as a hub of millennia-old heritage, exemplified by the 2000-year-old rust-resistant Iron Pillar showcasing India’s metallurgical skills. He noted that India’s heritage combines history and science, citing the 8th-century Kedarnath temple’s engineering feats and the architectural marvel of the Brihadeeswara Temple.
He also mentioned Dholavira and Lothal in Gujarat, known for their advanced urban planning and water management systems dating back to 3000-1500 BC. Emphasizing the depth of India’s history, he referred to recent discoveries in Sinauli, Uttar Pradesh, including a 4000-year-old horse-driven chariot, urging for new, unbiased perspectives to explore India’s past with modern technology.
India to contribute USD 1 mn to UNESCO World Heritage Centre for conservation of world heritage sites
The Prime Minister reiterated that India considers the preservation of global heritage as its responsibility. That is why, the Prime Minister said, we are cooperating for heritage conservation in the countries of the Global South along with Indian heritage.
He mentioned heritage sites like Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Cham Temples in Vietnam, and Stupa in Bagan, Myanmar and announced that India will contribute 1 million dollars to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre to be used for capacity building, technical assistance and conservation of world heritage sites. He underlined that this money will be useful for the countries of the Global South. He also informed that a certificate program in World Heritage Management is also being started for young professionals in India. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that India’s cultural and creative industry will become a big factor in global growth.
Concluding the address, the Prime Minister urged all foreign guests and dignitaries to explore India and informed them about a tour series for iconic heritage sites for their convenience. He expressed confidence that their experiences in India would make for a memorable trip.
Union Minister for External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar, Union Minister for Culture; and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Director General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, and Chairperson of World Heritage Committee, Vishal Sharma were also present on the occasion among others.
Along with the World Heritage Committee Meeting, the World Heritage Young Professionals’ Forum and World Heritage Site Managers’ Forum are also being held on the sidelines.
Further, various exhibitions are also being set up at Bharat Mandapam to showcase India’s culture. AR & VR technologies are also being used to provide an immersive experience for 3 world heritage sites of India: Rani ki Vav, Patan, Gujarat; Kailasa Temple, Ellora Caves, Maharashtra; and Hoysala Temple, Halebidu, Karnataka.
An ‘Incredible India’ exhibition is also being set up to highlight India’s rich cultural heritage, age-old civilization, geographical diversity, and tourism destinations along with modern developments in the field of Information Technology and infrastructure.
