Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed UNESCO’s decision to add Deepavali to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. He said the recognition delights people in India and across the globe and strengthens the festival’s cultural and spiritual significance.
The announcement marks a milestone in India’s cultural journey, highlighting the universal appeal and timeless values associated with the festival of lights.
In a post shared on X, PM Modi described Deepavali as an inseparable part of India’s cultural ethos. He wrote that the festival ‘personifies illumination and righteousness’ and is deeply rooted in India’s civilisational identity.
He emphasised that its inclusion in UNESCO’s heritage list will further enhance its global popularity and cultural reach.
Extending a spiritual message, he added, “May the ideals of Prabhu Shri Ram keep guiding us for eternity.”
Deepavali, celebrated by millions around the world, symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil—values that PM Modi said resonate with humanity across borders.
Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also praised the development.
Calling it a ‘historic day for India’, he said that the inclusion reflects the unprecedented global recognition Indian cultural heritage has received under PM Modi’s leadership.
He noted that the honour reinforces the festival’s universal values of harmony, hope, and collective well-being.
Expressing gratitude to UNESCO and cultural custodians, he added, ‘Jai Hind’.
UNESCO announced the inscription on its official X handle, congratulating India and confirming Deepavali’s addition to the global cultural heritage roster.
The inscription was one of 67 nominations evaluated during UNESCO’s week-long Intergovernmental Committee session for safeguarding intangible heritage.
The 20th session, held from 8 to 13 December at Delhi’s historic Red Fort, marks the first time India has hosted the committee’s proceedings.
Nearly 80 countries participated, reflecting the global relevance of cultural preservation.
With Deepavali’s inclusion, India strengthens its presence on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, now featuring 16 elements.
These include the Kumbh Mela, Kolkata’s Durga Puja, Gujarat’s Garba, Yoga, Vedic chanting, Ramlila, Ramman, and Kutiyattam.
Each inscription showcases India’s rich and diverse cultural tapestry, contributing to global understanding and appreciation of its traditions.
The recognition of Deepavali underscores India’s growing role in shaping global cultural discourse. It also reflects the enduring relevance of values such as righteousness, unity, and spiritual illumination.
As PM Modi highlighted, the ideals embodied by Deepavali—and by Lord Ram—continue to offer guidance to humanity.
The inscription strengthens India’s cultural prestige worldwide while reaffirming the festival’s universal message of light, harmony, and hope.
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