Santiniketan, the esteemed institution founded by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, has earned a coveted place on the Unesco World Heritage List.
Unesco officially announced this significant inscription on their Twitter handle.
Established in 1901 under the visionary leadership of Rabindranath Tagore's father, Debendranath Tagore, Santiniketan originally served as a residential school and a center for artistic expression deeply rooted in ancient Indian traditions.
It embodied a profound vision of human unity that transcended religious and cultural boundaries. In 1921, Vishva Bharati, an integral part of Santiniketan, was formally established.
India has diligently pursued Unesco recognition for Santiniketan, located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, for an extended period.
Several months ago, this iconic site received a strong recommendation for inclusion in the Unesco World Heritage List from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), an international non-governmental organization based in France.
ICOMOS consists of professionals, experts, and representatives from local authorities, companies, and heritage groups, making its endorsement a significant achievement.
Notably, alongside Santiniketan, West Bengal boasts another presence on Unesco's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Kolkata's vibrant Durga Puja festival.