Efforts on to get UNESCO heritage tag for Rakhigarhi, says Haryana CM
Rakhigarhi, Dec 26
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday said the Central government has allocated Rs 500 crore in the Union Budget to develop Rakhigarhi, the centuries old Harappan site, as efforts underway to include it in UNESCO World Heritage List.
Recognising the historical, cultural and tourism significance of Rakhigarhi, the state government is also taking continuous and concrete steps to secure its prominent place on both the national and international tourism map, he said.
The Chief Minister was addressing the gathering at the second state-level Rakhigarhi Mahotsav held in Rakhigarhi, the sacred land of India's ancient civilization, in Hisar district.
On this occasion, he announced all 13 demands presented by the Rakhigarhi Panchayat would be forwarded to the departments concerned for prompt action. Similarly, the five demands raised by the Rakhi Shahpur Panchayat would also be sent to the relevant departments for implementation.
The Chief Minister announced a grant of Rs. 21 lakh each for Rakhigarhi and Rakhi Shahpur villages. He also inaugurated the Harappan Knowledge Centre. CM Saini said Rakhigarhi holds a unique identity as a historical heritage site.
"This is the land where thousands of years ago one of the world's oldest civilizations, the Harappan civilization, flourished. Artifacts unearthed during excavations demonstrate that Rakhigarhi is a major industrial and commercial hub, featuring a well-planned city layout, advanced sanitation systems, and remarkable water management."
He said this great centre of the Indus-Saraswati civilization sends a message to the world about how deep-rooted, scientific, and prosperous India's heritage has been.
The fact that the most important centre of the world's largest and most developed ancient urban civilization is located in Haryana is a matter of immense pride for the people of the state.
He said the government is committed to developing Rakhigarhi as an international tourism and research hub.
A world-class archaeological museum, a dedicated research institute, modern tourist facilities, and robust infrastructure being developed here. The objective is to provide visitors from India and abroad with a deep understanding of India's ancient civilization and to offer an immersive experience of Haryana's rich cultural heritage.
This initiative is also expected to generate new employment opportunities for local youth and give a significant boost to the regional economy.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally, our Harappan heritage is getting the attention it deserves. I visited last year and the site is awe-inspiring. A world-class museum and research centre will be a game-changer. Hope they involve local communities properly in the development.
₹500 crore is a huge amount. While development is good, I hope the focus remains on preservation and authentic experience, not just concrete tourist traps. The 'Harappan Knowledge Centre' sounds promising. Let's see the execution.
As someone interested in archaeology, this is exciting. The Indus Valley Civilization is a crucial part of human history. A UNESCO tag would facilitate much-needed international collaboration for research and conservation. Well done, Haryana!
So proud that Haryana has such an important site! The mention of local panchayat demands being addressed is good. Development should benefit the villagers living there too, not just outsiders. Employment for local youth is a key point.
A respectful criticism: Announcements are easy. We have seen many heritage projects get delayed or funds misused. Hope there is transparency and accountability this time. The world is watching. Let's make this a model project for other sites.
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