Indian missions across the world marked the inclusion of Diwali in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, a move that gives the festival global cultural recognition.
The inscription came during a week-long meeting of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage at Delhi’s Red Fort, where 67 nominations from nearly 80 countries were examined.
In Jamaica, Indian High Commissioner Mayank Joshi and UNESCO Caribbean Regional Director Eric Falt joined the Indian community at India House in Kingston to celebrate the announcement. In Chile, the Indian Embassy hosted an event at the Santiago Hindu Temple, lit with diyas and devotional chants. “We thank the Indian community and friends of India in Chile for joining us,” the mission posted on X.
The Indian Embassy in Hungary illuminated its Budapest premises, with Ambassador Anshuman Gaur welcoming the Indian diaspora and friends of India. In Canada, High Commissioner Dinesh K. Patnaik and members of the community braved heavy snow to light diyas at the Ottawa sign.
In Indonesia, the Consulate General in Bali and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre organised Deepavali Goes Global, highlighting Diwali’s message of the triumph of Dharma over Adharma. Consul General Shashank Vikram said the festival’s shared symbolism continues to bind India and Indonesia. Cultural performances and community participation marked the celebration.
-IANS
