New Delhi, December 10: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar welcomed UNESCO’s inscription of Deepavali (Diwali) on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, calling it recognition of the festival’s immense cultural, religious and spiritual significance and its role in bringing people together. In a post on X, Jaishankar said he was glad to learn of the inscription and noted the festival’s unifying role.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also welcomed the move on X, describing the festival of lights — which marks the triumph of good over evil and the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya — as a globally celebrated occasion now added to UNESCO’s list.
UNESCO describes Deepavali as an annual multi-day light festival celebrated across India that marks the last harvest of the year and the start of a new season and year. Falling on the new moon in October or November, it symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Common customs include cleaning and decorating homes and public spaces, lighting lamps and candles, setting off fireworks, and offering prayers for prosperity and new beginnings.
Several Indian practices are already on UNESCO’s list, including Ramlila (2008), Yoga (2016), the traditional brass and copper utensil craft of the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab (2014), Kumbh Mela (2017), Durga Puja in Kolkata (2021), Garba from Gujarat (2023), and Navroz (2024).
UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage defines such heritage as living practices, knowledge, expressions, objects and spaces that communities recognise as part of their cultural identity. The convention was adopted to address threats to living cultural traditions from globalization, social change and limited resources.
India is hosting UNESCO’s 20th Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee session from December 8 to 13 for the first time, with the historic Red Fort complex chosen as the venue. India’s permanent delegate to UNESCO, Vishal V. Sharma, will chair the meeting, which coincides with the twentieth anniversary of India’s ratification of the 2003 Convention in 2005.
