New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday celebrated the inclusion of two iconic Indian texts—the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Bharat Muni’s Natyashastra—in UNESCO’s prestigious Memory of the World Register, calling it a “proud moment for every Indian”.
In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi said the recognition was a tribute to India’s “timeless wisdom and rich culture”. He wrote, “The inclusion of the Gita and Natyashastra in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register is a global recognition of our timeless wisdom and rich culture. The Gita and Natyashastra have nurtured civilisation and consciousness for centuries. Their insights continue to inspire the world.”
UNESCO announced on Thursday that 74 new entries have been added to the register, which now holds a total of 570 documentary collections of global significance.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay emphasised the importance of safeguarding documentary heritage, calling it an “essential yet fragile element of the memory of the world”. She highlighted efforts to preserve collections such as the libraries of Chinguetti in Mauritania and the archives of Amadou Hampate Ba in Côte d’Ivoire.
India’s Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, also hailed the recognition, calling it a “historic moment for Bharat’s civilisational heritage”. He noted that with the latest additions, India now has 14 inscriptions on the register. “These timeless works are more than literary treasures—they are philosophical and aesthetic foundations that have shaped Bharat’s worldview,” he stated.
Among the newly inscribed global collections are 14 related to scientific heritage, as well as documents highlighting the history of slavery, the role of influential women, and milestones in international cooperation, such as the Geneva Conventions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Windhoek Declaration on press freedom.
