"India's reputation is increasing day by day": Former Mahabodhi society secretary welcomes Sarnath's UNESCO world heritage status
Varanasi, July 26
The inclusion of Sarnath in the UNESCO World Heritage List has brought pride and joy to those associated with the ancient Buddhist site, with Sumedh Thero, former Secretary of the Mahabodhi Society, Sarnath, thanking the Indian government and UNESCO for the recognition.
Speaking to ANI, Thero welcomed the decision and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian government and UNESCO for recognising the historical and religious importance of Sarnath.
While speaking to ANI, Thero said, "... We extend our gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian Government, UNESCO World Heritage Organisation... Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's name and reputation are increasing day by day, and India is in line to become one of the world's economic powers...."
Sarnath, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, making it India's 45th World Heritage Site.
The decision was taken during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea, on Saturday. UNESCO said the site, known as the Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath, was added to the list for its cultural and religious importance.
The UNESCO recognition comes after Sarnath remained on India's tentative World Heritage list for several years. India had submitted the site to the tentative list in 1998.
The newly recognised property includes the architectural and archaeological remains of Sarnath. UNESCO said the site represents more than 2,500 years of Buddhist pilgrimage and carries importance for people around the world.
With Sarnath's inclusion, India now has 45 World Heritage Sites, according to UNESCO and the Ministry of Culture.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Great news! But I wish the government would also focus on infrastructure around these heritage sites. Last I visited, the roads near Sarnath were in poor condition and there was limited signage for foreign tourists. Recognition alone isn't enough - we need proper facilities too.
Absolutely brilliant! This shows India's soft power growing globally. From Nalanda to Sarnath, our Buddhist heritage is getting the recognition it deserves. 45 UNESCO sites now - and counting! The Modi government's push for cultural diplomacy is really working. 🌏🙏
While I'm happy about Sarnath's UNESCO status, I think we need to remember that our heritage sites belong to all humanity, not just for political narratives. The real challenge is preserving them from encroachment and ensuring local communities benefit. Hope this leads to sustainable tourism practices.
As a history buff, this makes me so proud! Sarnath has been on the tentative list since 1998 - took over 25 years, but finally it's happened. The Ashokan pillar there with the lion capital is our national emblem. Our civilization's depth is unmatched. 🇮🇳🦁
Happy for Sarnath, but let's not forget other deserving sites like the living root bridges of Meghalaya or the Harappan sites of Dholavira (already in, I know). We have so much heritage to showcase. Hope more sites get listed soon! The Buddhist circuit is becoming a major draw.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.