STATE TIMES NEWS
New Delhi: Heritage is not just history but a “shared consciousness” of humanity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday while encouraging people to use the potential of heritage for the betterment of the world and to connect hearts.
In his address at the opening ceremony of the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) at the Bharat Mandapam here, Modi also underlined the universality of heritage and said whenever one looks at historical sites, “our mind rises above current geopolitical factors”.
India is hosting the key event of the UNESCO for the first time from July 21 to July 31.
Modi was joined on the dais by Director General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, among others.
Prior to the inauguration, the prime minister visited an exhibition at the Bharat Mandapam that showcases some of the artefacts brought back to the country. Till date, more than 350 artefacts have been brought back to the country, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement on Saturday.
Wearing a saree, the director general of UNESCO was also present along with Modi during his visit to the exhibition.
In his address at the inaugural ceremony, the prime minister spoke of the exhibition and said the return of the ancient artefacts reflects global liberalism and a feeling of respect towards history.
He said the 46th WHC session is taking place in “one of the most ancient living civilisations of the world”.
Modi also lauded the engineering feats that the ancient heritage sites represent, as he cited the Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand and the Brihadishvara temple built by the Cholas.
“India’s heritage is not just history, it is also science. In India’s heritage, one also witnesses a glorious journey of top-notch engineering,” he asserted.
The meeting is being attended by more than 2,000 delegates from over 150 countries.
The WHC meets once a year and is responsible for managing all matters pertaining to world heritage sites and deciding on sites to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Underlining the significance of heritage, the prime minister said, “Heritage is not only history, it is a shared consciousness of humanity. Whenever we look at historical sites, our mind rises above current geopolitical factors.”
Modi encouraged people to “use this potential of heritage for the betterment of the world and use our heritage to connect hearts”.
“It is India’s clarion call to the world to come together to promote each other’s heritage and amplify the spirit of human welfare, encourage tourism and create more job opportunities through the 46th World Heritage Committee meeting,” he said.
PM to attend 25th anniversary Kargil Vijay Diwas in Ladakh
Leh/Jammu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Ladakh on July 26 to attend the 25th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas, an official said on Sunday, as Lt Governor Brig (Retd) B D Mishra reviewed arrangements for the visit.
The grand celebrations to mark the ‘Rajat Jyanti’ of India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1999 war are scheduled to be conducted at Drass in Kargil district from July 24 to 26.
Mishra held a meeting at the Lt Governor’s secretariat here to discuss the arrangements for the PM’s visit to the Kargil War Memorial at Drass, an official spokesman said. The Lt Governor informed the meeting that Modi would be visiting the memorial on July 26 and attend the 25th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas.
The meeting discussed security and reception at the Drass helipad, necessary arrangements for his motorcade, the procedure for the wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial, interaction with war widows and preparation of the green room at the helipad, the spokesman said.
He said the Lt Governor inquired from the General Officer Commanding of 8 Mountain Division, Major General Sachin Malik, about the arrangements at the Drass brigade helipad.
Mishra directed officers concerned to complete all necessary arrangements in a timely manner, the spokesman said.
The LG would visit the Kargil War Memorial on July 24 to inspect the arrangements, he said.
Maj General Malik said the prime minister would land at Drass Brigade Helipad on the morning of July 26 and be received by army officials.
He said Modi would take rest in the green room before departing for the Kargil War Memorial.
Major Gen Malik also informed that the prime minister would participate in the wreath-laying ceremony followed by a visit to the ‘Shaheed Marg’ (Wall of Fame).
He said Modi would sign on the visitors book and inspect the museum of Kargil War artefacts.
Major Gen Malik informed that Modi will also sit for the briefing on the Kargil War followed by a group photograph.
The prime minister would also interact with ‘Veer Naris’ (War Widows) and visit the Veer Bhoomi, he said, adding he would inaugurate the ‘Shinku La Tunnel’ virtually.
Maj Gen Malik said the Special Protection Group (SPG) team will arrive on July 23 and conduct a meeting to coordinate with the Army, police and civil administration.
