सहनाववतु, सहनौ भुनक्तु, सहवीर्यं करवावहै। (May we together be protected, together be nourished, together with great energy strive)
This is a profound verse from the Taittiriya Upanishad, which is part of the Yajurveda, one of the ancient scriptures of India. It is often recited as a prayer or mantra embodying significance of the spirit of collaboration and mutual support.
It is indeed a very proud moment in our collective Indian memory that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) on 21 July 2024. Our nation chaired this session of the WHC in the national capital city of Delhi (21-31 July 2024). The Ministry of Culture (MoC), GoI, together with its attached office, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), hosted the 46th session this year. ASI serves as the custodian of 3,697 ancient monuments and archaeological sites of national importance in India, with responsibilities including their protection, preservation, and conservation.
During the inaugural session, PM Modi announced a one-time voluntary financial contribution of $1 million to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, reaffirming India’s commitment to heritage preservation. He also introduced a Certificate Program in World Heritage Management for Young Professionals in India, focusing on climate change, digital technologies, and heritage diversity. Additionally, he talked about collaborations between the ASI and ICCROM which will include online workshops, seminars, and joint heritage expeditions to enhance cultural and natural conservation and site management.
This meeting of the WHC represented a crucial stride in promoting global cooperation and safeguarding our World Heritage properties. In the month of July every year, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designates several World Heritage Monuments based on expert advice from a list of proposed monuments by each member nation (there are 21 States Parties’ representatives in the committee). This selection is based on both the cultural value and universal appeal of the monuments. Furthermore, UNESCO also offers technical guidance on maintaining and preserving monuments.
With more than 2000 delegates from across the globe, the venue for the session was none other than the prestigious Bharat Mandapam. This International Convention Complex was built on the principle of ‘Think Big, Dream Big, Act Big’ – inspiring us to move towards the cherished goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. The architectural design of the building is inspired by Indian tradition. While being rooted in the past, the design also embraces a modern architectural sensibility. The building showcases various paintings and tribal art forms, thus providing a window to our rich heritage for the world. Since its inception, Bharat Mandapam has been a witness to events of international stature and has hosted major global exhibitions, trade shows, conventions, conferences, and other prestigious events including the recently held G20 Summit.
There is an enormous wealth of art, architecture, sculpture and variegated forms of heritage in our nation. At present, there are forty-three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. Nominating a site for UNESCO World Heritage status involves comprehensive documentation, evaluation, and international collaboration to verify that the site meets UNESCO’s stipulated criteria. Among the World Heritage sites in India, are such celebrated monuments as the Ajanta and Ellora caves, the Khajuraho, Mahabalipuram and Hampi group of temples, the ancient archaeological site of the Nalanda Mahavihara, the Buddhist sites of Sanchi and Bodhgaya, Rani ki Vav, and the Taj Mahal.
In 2023, the 45th WHC meeting took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during which Santiniketan and the Hoysala temples (Sacred Ensembles of Hoysalas) from India were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. India’s nomination for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage list for the year 2024-25 is the ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India.’ This nomination includes twelve components: Salher Fort, Shivneri Fort, Lohagad Fort, Khanderi Fort, Raigad Fort, Rajgad Fort, Pratapgad Fort, Suvarnadurg Fort, Panhala Fort, Vijaydurg Fort, Sindhudurg Fort in Maharashtra, and Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu. Spanning various geographical and physiographic regions, these forts exemplify the strategic military prowess of the Marathas.
For the year 2023-24, India had proposed ‘Moidams’ for inclusion in the World Heritage List. ‘Moidams’ of the Ahom era, located in Assam’s Charaideo district, served as resting places for royal families. They were initially added to the Tentative List in April 2014. These monuments are often likened to the pyramids of Egypt, marvels of architectural skill and craftsmanship by the artisans and masons of medieval Assam. The management of the site is shared between the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Directorate of Archaeology (DoA) under the Assam Government.
On 26 July 2024, India achieved a significant cultural milestone when the “Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty” in Assam was officially added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, marking India’s 43rd entry. This inscription underscored India’s commitment to preserving its heritage and coincided with the country’s first hosting of a World Heritage Committee session since joining UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention. The Moidams, sacred burial mounds constructed by the Tai-Ahom dynasty from the 13th to 19th centuries, were recognized alongside India’s other World Heritage sites, such as Kaziranga National Park and Manas Wildlife Sanctuary. During the 46th WHC session in New Delhi, India had successfully inscribed 13 properties over the past decade, positioning itself sixth worldwide in total number of inscriptions.
India’s 46th WHC Session, held in New Delhi, thus, marked a historic milestone as it was the first time the country hosted this prestigious event. The session, concluded on 30 July 2024, was highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s keynote address emphasizing a balanced approach to development and heritage, and the approval of 24 new World Heritage sites, including India’s Moidams. The event also celebrated Project PARI and featured cultural exhibitions and performances, including a dedicated show by The Shillong Chamber Choir.
The 46th session presented us with an opportune time to devise strategies dealing with multidimensional conflicts surrounding the destruction of heritage. I encourage all the young professionals and delegates who attended the session to actively apply the insights gained, recognizing the importance of these actions for future generations.
There is an ever-growing need for sustainable urban development, exploring the role of heritage in post-war reconciliation, evolving climate adaptation strategies and a nuanced understanding of nature, evaluating the impact of technological change on world heritage, and adoption of digital tools to evolve sustainable tourism. Increasing commodification must never overshadow the rich national identities that revolve around the art forms lying at the heart and soul of our collective cultural fabric.
Preserving heritage implies preserving identity, which is our collective responsibility for the future. Recognizing and accepting responsibility involves being conscious of key aspects of human identity and how self-awareness contributes to global peace. From the outset, this has involved emphasizing upon peaceful coexistence which depends on acknowledging the multitude of cultures in the world. These diverse cultures deserve to be valued and preserved for future generations.
It is therefore the responsibility of both individuals and societies to come together to safeguard and sustain their heritage, both built and intangible. Moreover, whence we stand at the commencement of these golden years of Amrit Kaal, there cannot be a better time or a more appropriate setting to reflect upon the significance of preserving our glorious cultural traditions – diversified yet unified.
Let us also take a moment to reflect upon the bridges that culture builds, and the oasis of peace that it provides in a strife torn world. Signed on 16 November 1945 just after the end of a war that threatened the very basis of human civilization, the UNESCO constitution stands as a testimony to the never dying human spirit and to the international community’s responsibility towards achieving global peace: “…since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed,” UNESCO, 1945, Preamble.
Gajendra Shekhawat is the Union Minister of Culture and Tourism. He tweets @gssjodhpur. Views are personal.