UNESCO TAG TO SHANTINIKETAN Syllabus GS Paper 2 - World Organization)

Context: Visva-Bharati University has finally replaced the controversial plaques commemorating UNESCO’s world heritage tag to Santiniketan with a board approved by the Centre.

Shantiniketan 

• About: It was the home of Rabindranath Tagore, where he lived and composed many of his literary works, including songs, poems, and novels.
• Location: Birbhum District, West Bengal, India
• Built by: Debendranath Tagore (father of Rabindranath Tagore)
• Shantiniketan Festivals: Briksharopan (festival of Planting Saplings) and Halakarshan (festival of Plowing the Fields)

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

• About: It is a place that is listed by UNESCO for its special cultural or physical significance. 
• Maintained by: International ‘World Heritage Programme’, administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
• Selection Criteria: Sites must be already classified landmarks, unique and significant culturally or physically, such as ancient ruins, historical structures, cities, monuments, etc.
• India’s Role: India has been a member of the World Heritage Committee thrice before (1985-91, 2001-07& 2011-15) and is serving a fourth term (2021-25).
• India’s Sites: 41 World Heritage Sites. 
• 33 are cultural, 7 are natural, and one, the Khangchendzonga National Park, is of mixed type.