Patna (Bihar) [India], September 28 : BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad on Sunday called it a "historic opportunity" as India moves to nominate the Chhath festival for inclusion in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Prasad congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the initiative and said all Biharis are overwhelmed by the recognition.
Speaking to ANI, Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "This is a very historic opportunity for us that a proposal to include our popular Chhath festival in UNESCO's cultural heritage list is being sent. We all Biharis are overwhelmed. Hearty congratulations to the Prime Minister."
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 126th edition of his monthly radio programme 'Mann ki Baat', said that the Government of India is working to get the Chhath Mahaparva added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
He added that this will help people all over the world learn about the festival's importance and beauty.
PM Modi said, "I am very happy to inform you that the Government of India is also engaged in a major endeavour connected with Chhath Puja. The Government of India is striving to include the Chhath Mahaparva in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List. When Chhath Puja is included in the UNESCO list, people in every corner of the world will be able to experience its grandeur and divinity."
The Prime Minister said that festivals like Chhath Puja keep India's culture alive.
He described Chhath Puja as a special festival dedicated to the Sun God, celebrated not just in India but around the world, and said it is becoming a global festival.
"Our festivals keep India's culture alive. Chhath Puja is a sacred festival that comes after Diwali. This grand festival, dedicated to the Sun God, is very special. In it, we offer prayers to the setting sun and worship it. Chhath is not only celebrated in different parts of the country, but its splendour is also seen across the world. Today, it is becoming a global festival," PM Modi said.