‘Santiniketan truly global… Proud moment for Bengalis’

On Sunday, UNESCO made the announcement about Santiniketan being inscribed on the international agency’s World Heritage List from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee is underway. The session will conclude on September 25.

Santiniketan has now become the 41st UNESCO World Heritage Site in India and the third in West Bengal, after the Sundarbans National Park and the Darjeeling Mountain Railways. Last year, the state’s Durga Puja found place in “Intangible Cultural Heritage of humanity” under UNESCO.

Sharmila Chowdhury, mother of the Bangladeshi student Arithri, accompanied her daughter in the procession. “It was the legacy of Tagore that brought her here. People in Bangladesh have a deep connection with Tagore and his Santiniketan. My respect for Gurudev Tagore brought me here. This is why I wanted my daughter to study at the university that was founded by him. Today, I feel so proud as we have been globally recognised,” said Sharmila.

Tagore spent a part of his life at his family’s country residence at Shilaidaha in Bangladesh, and penned some memorable poems while living there. It was here, in 1912, that he started translating his ‘Gitanjali’ into English, which earned him the Nobel Prize for literature in 1913. Tagore also wrote the national anthem of both India and Bangladesh.

Another student at VBU, Nandini Mukherjee said the recognition would open up new opportunities for the students. “Although Visva-Bharati is world-famous, this UNESCO recognition will enhance the varsity’s recognition to the world. We can now proudly say that we study in an institute that is recognised by UNESCO,” said the MA second-year (Sanskrit department) student.
With traditional drummers leading the way, the procession was taken out from the famous Upasana Griha (prayer hall) inside the campus to the central library near Lipika Auditorium. Students held placards that read ‘World heritage: Celebration of declaration by the UNESCO on September 17, 2023.’

VBU vice-chancellor Bidyut Chakrabarty, who led the procession, appealed to all to help the university and Santiniketan “rise to the occasion.” “This is the only university in the world that provides not just degrees, but also a vision… The vision of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. He wanted this place and the university to become a bridge to the world and its people.

Today, all of us have the right to feel proud. I appeal to all of you to stand together and rise to the occasion. I also thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is also the Chancellor of Visva-Bharati, for taking an active role in getting this recognition. The Union education ministry and culture ministry also helped us in every possible way,” said the vice-chancellor.

Later in the day, students and teachers took part in a cultural programme at Lipika Auditorium to celebrate the milestone.