It is indeed a great honour for India and its festivals with Durga Puja being inscribed in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Interestingly, Durga Puja is the first Indian festival to be a part of this List.

Also read: Durga Puja Now Included In UNESCO Heritage List

Following this, the Union Government is keen to acknowledge the invaluable hard work, artwork and artistry of the artisans who form an integral part of the process of making the idols for the Durga Puja and the pandals. According to the Minister of State for Culture, Meenakshi Lekhi, it is their contribution that gives the entire festival its fanfare and fervour.

To recognise and appreciate their efforts, a special function has been organized by the Ministry of Culture on September 24 at the Indian Museum in Kolkata where a select group of 30 artisans and artists, intimately involved in Durga Puja celebrations, will be honoured.

Among those who will be honoured are shilpis of Durga’s protima, members from Rajbaris, pandal makers, artists, the dhakis (drummers), the pujaris, the jewellery makers of protimas and others.

Also read: Ma Durga made of dark Belgian chocolate turns heads in Kolkata

Besides Lekhi, the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Subhas Sarkar will attend the function.

Stressing on the importance of Durga Puja, Lekhi observed: “We nominated Durga Puja as the Intangible culture of the country because cutting across States, it is celebrated by everyone. In this process, it brings everyone together, it’s unity in Diversity.”

She added that India has sent garba as the next consideration for UNESCO’s List.