PM, Vice President, Home Minister hail UNESCO’s inclusion of Deepavali in intangible heritage list
New Delhi, Dec 10: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday welcomed UNESCO’s decision to inscribe Deepavali on its Intangible Cultural Heritage List, calling it a moment of “joy and pride” for people in India and across the world.
Responding to UNESCO’s announcement on X, the Prime Minister said Deepavali is deeply rooted in India’s cultural ethos, describing it as “the soul of our civilisation” and a festival that symbolises “illumination and righteousness.”
He said that global recognition would further enhance the festival’s worldwide appeal and said, “May the ideals of Prabhu Shri Ram keep guiding us for eternity.”
Vice President C P Radhakrishnan also celebrated the inscription, describing it as a profound moment of national pride.
He said Deepavali is “a civilisational phenomenon” that embodies India’s multiculturalism, pluralism and social unity, while carrying a timeless message of hope, harmony and the triumph of light over darkness and Dharma over Adharma.
The honour, he added, celebrates India’s rich cultural heritage and its universal message for humanity.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah too lauded the development, calling it a “proud moment for India.”
In a post on X, he said the recognition highlights the relevance of India’s ancient cultural ethos even in the modern era.
“The festival of lights has inspired us since antiquity to believe in the victory of the good and the righteous. It is now profoundly heartening that it will encourage global well-being,” he said.
Deepavali, one of India’s most celebrated living traditions, has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee at the Red Fort, New Delhi.
The decision was adopted in the presence of Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, senior officials, and delegates from 194 member states.
Shekhawat said the recognition is a moment of “immense pride” and reflects the festival’s universal message of moving “from darkness to light.”
He highlighted Deepavali’s people-centric nature, shaped by potters, artisans, farmers, sweet makers, priests, and households who sustain its age-old customs.
The Minister also credited the Indian diaspora for carrying the festival’s spirit across continents. The inscription, he said, brings a renewed responsibility to preserve and pass on the tradition. Recognised for its cultural depth and inclusive character, Deepavali’s diverse practices, from lighting diyas and making rangoli to community rituals, reflect its enduring vitality.
The nomination was prepared by the Ministry of Culture through Sangeet Natak Akademi after nationwide consultations with practitioners and community groups.
UNESCO noted that Deepavali strengthens social bonds, supports traditional crafts and contributes to sustainable development, while reinforcing India’s rich intangible heritage.
