Kutch (Gujarat): The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization on Tuesday announced the entry of Dholavira, a Harappan-era metropolis in Gujarat, into the UNESCO World Heritage List. The organisation made the announcement through a post on the micro-blogging site Twitter.
"Dholavira: A Harappan city, in India, just inscribed on the @UNESCO #WorldHeritage List. Congratulations!" UNESCO tweeted.
The ongoing 44th session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO on Sunday also declared the Rudreswara/ Ramappa Temple in Telangana, which dates back to the 13th century, as a world heritage site.
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"It gives immense pride to share with my fellow Indians that #Dholavira is now the 40th treasure in India to be given @UNESCO's World Heritage Inscription. Another feather in India's cap as we now enter the Super-40 club for World Heritage Site inscriptions," Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy said in a tweet.
"Today is a proud day for India, especially for the people of Gujarat, he said. "Since 2014, India has added 10 new World Heritage sites - one-fourth of our total sites. This shows PM @narendramodi's steadfast commitment in promoting Indian culture, heritage, and the Indian way of life," Reddy tweeted.
The decision was made during the World Heritage Committee meeting being held in Fuzhou, China. The meeting, which is being held virtually due to the pandemic, started on 16 July and will continue till July 31.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his elation over the world heritage site status being accorded to Dholavira, calling it the most important linkage with India's past.
"Absolutely delighted by this news. Dholavira was an important urban centre and is one of our most important linkages with our past. It is a must visit, especially for those interested in history, culture and archaeology," the PM tweeted.
Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani also took to Twitter to express his joy over the development. He attributed the achievement to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts towards promoting Indian culture and heritage.
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"It is a matter of immense pride that the @UNESCO has conferred the World Heritage tag to Dholavira, a Harappan city in Kutch. This shows the firm commitment of our Honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji towards promoting Indian culture and heritage," he tweeted.
The Dholavira Harappan site was discovered by Dr R. A. Bisht around 1985. The then Director of Archaeological Survey of India, Dr Bisht gave the invaluable time of his career in exploring this site. He was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his discovery of this site.
Gujarat has now a total of four World Heritage Sites. The other three are Champaner near Pavagadh in Panchmahal District. Rani ki Vav in Patan District and the city of Ahmedabad.
