On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed pride over the inclusion of two iconic Indian texts – Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Bharat Muni’s Natyashastra – in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.
UNESCO, in a release on Thursday, announced 74 new additions to the register. The register now features a total of 570 inscribed collections globally.
Sharing his thoughts on social media, PM Modi called the recognition a tribute to India’s cultural and philosophical heritage.
Taking to X, PM Modi posted, “A proud moment for every Indian across the world! The inclusion of the Gita and Natyashastra in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register is a global recognition of our timeless wisdom and rich culture. The Gita and Natyashastra have nurtured civilisation, and consciousness for centuries. Their insights continue to inspire the world.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the inclusion of the Gita and Natyashastra in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. He, however, called it a proud tribute to Bharat’s ancient wisdom and global cultural contribution.
Taking to X, Shah posted, “The world treasures Bharat’s wisdom. Congratulations to every Indian on the grand occasion of the Gita and Natyashastra being included in the UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. The scriptures depict the ancient wisdom of Bharat that has showed light to humanity to make the world better and lives more beautiful since time immemorial.”
“Under the leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi Ji, Bharat has made incessant efforts to enshrine our cultural wisdom at the centre of global welfare. This is a great recognition of these efforts,” the post further added.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay emphasized the importance of protecting historical records while announcing the new entries.
She stated, “Documentary heritage is an essential yet fragile element of the memory of the world. This is why UNESCO invests in safeguarding, such as the libraries of Chinguetti in Mauritania or the archives of Amadou Hampate Ba in Cote d’Ivoire, shares best practices, and maintains this register that records the broadest threads of human history.”
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also marked the development on X, calling it a ‘historic moment’ for India’s cultural legacy.
“A historic moment for Bharat’s civilisational heritage! The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita & Bharat Muni’s Natyashastra are now inscribed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. This global honour celebrates India’s eternal wisdom & artistic genius. These timeless works are more than literary treasures – they are philosophical and aesthetic foundations that have shaped Bharat’s world view and the way we think, feel, live, and express. With this, we now 14 inscriptions from our country on this international register,” he posted on X.
UNESCO noted that among the latest additions, 14 entries relate to scientific contributions.
Others reflect global milestones, such as archives tied to slavery, women in history, and international cooperation efforts.
These, however, include the Geneva Conventions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Windhoek Declaration supporting press freedom.
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