Heritage | DD News

August 27, 2026 1:49 PM

Sarnath joins UNESCO World Heritage List, taking India’s heritage tally to 45

India’s rich cultural heritage has received another global recognition with the inscription of the Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath on the UNESCO World Heritage List at the 48th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea. The inscription, announced on the evening of July 25, 2026, takes India’s total number of UNESCO World Heritage properties to 45, comprising 37 cultural, seven natural and one mixed site. India now ranks sixth globally and second in the Asia Pacific regi...

August 7, 2026 9:55 AM

PM Modi calls upon people to celebrate National Handloom Day by showcasing India’s rich handloom heritage

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called upon people across the country to celebrate National Handloom Day on August 7 by showcasing India's rich and diverse handloom heritage and promoting indigenous handloom products on social media. In a post on X, the Prime Minister encouraged citizens to share videos featuring their favourite handloom products, including "Get Ready With Me" (GRWM) videos, to popularise India's traditional weaving legacy. "Tomorrow, 7th August is National Handloom D...

June 18, 2026 12:07 PM

Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi: How India’s heritage renaissance is reshaping cultural preservation, tourism and global recognition

Over the past twelve years, India has witnessed an unprecedented expansion of its heritage conservation and cultural development ecosystem under the vision of "Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi" - a development model that seeks to balance economic growth with the preservation and promotion of the country's civilisational legacy. From restoring ancient temples and redeveloping pilgrimage centres to digitising manuscripts, reclaiming stolen antiquities and expanding India's footprint on UNESCO's global heri...

June 3, 2026 10:09 AM

President Murmu urges tribal youth to embrace education, technology and heritage for nation building

President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday called upon tribal youth to harness the power of education and technology while remaining connected to their cultural roots, saying they have a crucial role to play in building a strong, prosperous and self-reliant India. The President made the remarks while interacting with a group of beneficiaries of the flagship scholarship schemes of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Addressing the students, President Murmu said India is rich in talen...

March 25, 2026 4:35 PM

One Station One Product: How Indian Railways is turning platforms into showcases of India’s heritage

Across India’s bustling railway network, a quiet yet impactful transformation is unfolding. Through the One Station One Product (OSOP) initiative, Indian Railways is turning railway platforms into vibrant marketplaces that celebrate the country’s rich cultural and artisanal heritage. Launched on March 25, 2022, as part of the Union Budget 2022-23, the initiative aims to promote indigenous products by providing dedicated retail spaces at railway stations. Now, more than 2,000 stations host o...

February 24, 2026 4:49 PM

Vice President Radhakrishnan urges Darjeeling youth to preserve heritage and embrace development

Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday interacted with a youth delegation from Darjeeling at Uprashtrapati Bhavan, encouraging young people to preserve their cultural heritage while actively contributing to India’s development journey. Welcoming the delegation, the Vice-President said it was a pleasure to receive vibrant young minds from a region known for its natural beauty, rich cultural traditions and significant contributions to the nation. He described India’s demographic streng...

September 22, 2025 9:09 PM

Gujarat’s craft heritage showcased in 7th edition of PM Mementos e-auction

Gujarat’s rich craft traditions and cultural heritage are taking center stage in the 7th edition of the Prime Minister’s Mementos e-Auction, with 86 special items from the state featured among more than 1,300 gifts presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Launched in 2019, the e-auction gives citizens across India a chance to own unique gifts presented to the Prime Minister, with all proceeds supporting the Namami Gange Project, a flagship initiative to rejuvenate the Ganga River. This y...

September 18, 2025 2:28 PM

IGNCA’s Conservation Division: Heritage Work Anchored in Community Voice & Collective Care

In a recent event coinciding with Vishwakarma Jayanti on 17 September, the Ministry of Culture, through the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), celebrated the Foundation Day of its Conservation and Cultural Archives Division. Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary of IGNCA, said, “A program like Mann Ki Baat is perhaps unique in the world. Through this initiative, the prime minister connects directly with the people of the country, inspiring citizens and fostering community ...

August 6, 2025 4:07 PM

India’s sacred Buddhist Relics return after 127 Years

In an event that stirred hearts across the global Buddhist community, India welcomed home the sacred Piprahwa relics—one of the most spiritually and archaeologically significant treasures ever discovered. Repatriated after 127 years, these relics represent not just fragments of the past but a powerful symbol of India’s enduring cultural legacy and soft power diplomacy. The journey of these relics, taken during colonial rule, came full circle in July 2025, as the Ministry of Culture, in coll...

June 4, 2025 10:00 AM

India’s cultural renaissance: A journey of heritage, unity and global influence

India’s cultural renaissance over the last eleven years has been guided by a vision that seeks to uphold the nation's deep-rooted heritage while embracing the modern world. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, this revival has blended spirituality, infrastructure, and inclusivity—bringing India’s timeless traditions into global focus. Culture has become a key pillar of national identity and international diplomacy. From restoring temples to reclaiming artefacts, from celebrat...