The decision to include Santiniketan in the list was taken during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in Saudi Arabia. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that she is happy and proud that Santiniketan has finally been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Banerjee posted On behalf of the Government of West Bengal, we have significantly enhanced its infrastructure over the last 12 years and the world now recognizes the pride of this heritage site. Congratulations to all who love Bengal, Tagore and his message of brotherhood. Jai Bangla, salutations to Gurudev.
It is with joy and pride that Santiniketan, the town of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, has now finally been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The pride of Biswa Bangla, Shantiniketan was raised by the poet and has been supported by the people of Bengal for generations. We from this…
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) September 17, 2023
Renowned conservation architect Abha Narayana Lamba, who worked on drafting a document to include Santiniketan on the World Heritage List, said she was “overjoyed” after hearing the news. He told PTI. “We worked on the document in 2009 and perhaps the timing was not right then. But we always believed in the beauty of Shantiniketan and seeing it on the UNESCO list today has confirmed it.” Mumbai-based Lamba said that once Ecomos recommended it for inclusion in the list, it was almost certain that it would happen.
A few months ago, the international consultancy organization ‘International Council on Monuments and Sites’ (ECOMOS) recommended the inclusion of this historic site in the UNESCO World Heritage List. ECOMOS, based in France, is an international non-governmental organization made up of representatives of professionals, experts, local authorities, companies and heritage organizations, dedicated to the conservation and promotion of the world’s architectural and heritage sites.
According to details recorded on the official website of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Santiniketan, 160 km from Kolkata, was originally an ashram built by Rabindranath Tagore’s father, Devendranath Tagore, where anyone, irrespective of caste and creed, could come and receive education. could have done. He says that Devendranath Tagore popularly known as Maharishi was the leading figure of Indian renaissance. Among the structures built by the Maharishi are the Santiniketan house and a temple.
The website says, “Both structures built in the late 19th century are significant in their association with the establishment of Santiniketan and the universal spirit associated with the revival and reinterpretation of religious ideals in Bengal and India.” Among the most prestigious universities in India. Visvabharati, located in Santiniketan, offers degree courses in Humanities, Social Sciences, Science, Fine Arts, Music, Performing Arts, Education, Agricultural Sciences and Rural Reconstruction.
The university was founded by Rabindranath Tagore. It was declared a Central University and an Institution of National Importance by an Act of Parliament in 1951. Visvabharati is the only central university in West Bengal and its Chancellor is the Prime Minister.
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