Tag: UNESCO

International

India’s Deepavali Festival Inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List

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India’s Deepavali festival has officially been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The announcement came on Wednesday during a key session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, currently held at Delhi’s Red Fort.

This year marks the first time India is hosting the committee’s annual meeting, now in its 20th edition, running from December 8 to 13. Attendees at the session celebrated the announcement with chants of “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai”, highlighting the moment’s significance for the Indian delegation.

With Deepavali now recognised, India’s tally on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list rises to 15, joining other celebrated elements such as the Kumbh Mela, Kolkata’s Durga Puja, Gujarat’s Garba dance, yoga, Vedic chanting, and Ramlila, the dramatic retelling of the Ramayana.

Delhi’s Art, Culture, Language and Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra called the inclusion a significant milestone for India’s cultural identity, praising the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in securing the recognition. He highlighted how UNESCO’s acknowledgment underscores the depth of India’s spiritual traditions and the enduring importance of the festival.

Understanding Intangible Cultural Heritage

According to UNESCO, intangible cultural heritage goes beyond monuments or artefacts and includes living traditions and expressions passed down through generations. These may encompass:

  • Oral traditions and performing arts
  • Rituals and festive practices
  • Community knowledge of nature and the universe
  • Traditional craftsmanship

UNESCO emphasizes that the value of intangible heritage lies not just in the practice itself, but in the knowledge, skills, and identity it transmits from one generation to the next. Such heritage fosters dialogue, mutual respect, and social cohesion, making it crucial in a globalized world.

Key characteristics of intangible cultural heritage include:

  • Traditional and Contemporary: Practices reflect inherited customs while adapting to modern life.
  • Inclusive: Shared across regions or cultures, passed down and contributing to community identity.
  • Representative: Defined by the communities maintaining it, not exclusivity.
  • Community-Based: Heritage exists only when recognised and upheld by the community itself.

Deepavali’s recognition by UNESCO highlights the festival’s enduring cultural, spiritual, and social significance, celebrating India’s vibrant heritage on a global platform.

Special Occasion

Celebrating the Power of Thought: World Philosophy Day

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Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Philosophy has been an essential part of human civilization since the 6th century BC, influencing the way people think, live, and interact with the world around them. From Socrates’ inquiries into virtue and ethics to Plato’s dialogues that laid the foundation of Western thought, philosophy has consistently guided humans in understanding concepts, solving problems, and questioning the nature of existence. Its influence spans governments, religions, education, and cultural life, offering a framework to explore values, ideals, and the art of living.

On a personal level, studying philosophy enhances critical thinking, refines reasoning skills, and fosters an appreciation of the interconnectedness of ideas, encouraging individuals to act thoughtfully within their communities. Recognizing this profound impact, UNESCO introduced World Philosophy Day in 2002 and formally established it in 2005, celebrating the role of philosophy in the development of societies and cultures worldwide.

The day serves to promote the teaching and learning of philosophy, as well as to recognize its significance in cultivating reflective and thoughtful citizens. People can celebrate World Philosophy Day in many ways, from attending global events such as workshops, debates, and presentations, to exploring philosophical literature by seminal thinkers like Plato, Pierre Hadot, and modern authors who bring complex ideas into accessible forms.

Engaging with philosophy encourages a deeper understanding of the world and empowers individuals to navigate life’s questions with clarity, insight, and curiosity, making it a discipline that continues to inspire personal growth and collective wisdom across generations.

Travel

Spiti Valley Declared India’s First Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO

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In a landmark announcement at the 37th UNESCO MAB-ICC meeting in Hangzhou, China (Sept 2025), Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh was officially declared India’s first-ever Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.

Located at breathtaking altitudes between 3,300 and 6,600 meters, Spiti Valley covers nearly 7,770 square kilometers and is known for its stark beauty, ancient monasteries, and rare biodiversity. The valley’s fragile alpine ecosystem — featuring glaciers, river valleys, and snow-covered peaks — supports endangered species like the Snow Leopard, Blue Sheep, and Himalayan Ibex.

Beyond its ecological significance, Spiti is a living museum of Himalayan culture. The region’s centuries-old Buddhist monasteries, including Key, Tabo, and Dhankar, stand as beacons of peace and spirituality. The communities here have sustained themselves through traditional mountain farming, deep respect for nature, and a shared sense of responsibility toward the environment.

This UNESCO recognition will strengthen efforts to:

  • 🌿 Conserve Spiti’s unique alpine habitats and biodiversity
  • 💧 Promote sustainable, low-impact livelihoods for local communities
  • 🦋 Encourage responsible tourism that protects the valley’s fragile balance

Experts believe the designation will also bring global attention to Spiti’s climate resilience and cultural richness, setting an example for other high-altitude conservation zones across the world.

With this achievement, India now has 13 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, reaffirming the nation’s growing leadership in sustainability, ecology, and heritage preservation.

For travelers, Spiti Valley is now officially recognized as a global conservation treasure — a destination to be admired, respected, and preserved for generations to come.

Special Occasion

World Radio Day 2025: Celebrating the Power of Diverse Voices

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Written by Intern Joysi Yadav, Team Allycaral

Every year on February 13th, the world comes together to celebrate World Radio Day, a day dedicated to the significance of radio in shaping our lives, opinions, and knowledge. This year, World Radio Day 2025, highlights the importance of radio in fostering dialogue, bridging gaps between diverse cultures and communities, and sharing stories that need to be heard.

A Brief History
World Radio Day was officially declared by UNESCO in 2011, after Spain proposed the idea. Interestingly, February 13th also marks the founding of United Nations Radio in 1946.

The Significance of Radio
Radio remains a powerful tool in mass communication, with its reach extending to both urban and rural areas. It plays a vital role in:

  • Fostering dialogue and bridging gaps between diverse cultures and communities
  • Sharing stories and raising awareness on important issues
  • Providing real-time information and ensuring voices from every corner of the world are heard
  • Building and shaping society, opinions, and informed decisions

“Radio: A Powerful Tool for Climate Action”
This year’s theme, “Radio: A Powerful Tool for Climate Action,” emphasizes the impact of radio on shedding light on climate change. Radio has the potential to educate, inform, and empower listeners globally, especially rural communities, indigenous people, and those affected by environmental disasters.

Amplifying Marginalized Voices
Mirta Lourenço, UNESCO Chief of Media Development and Media Emergency, highlights the importance of radio in amplifying marginalized voices. “Engaging communities meaningfully — by incorporating marginalized voices and highlighting practical solutions — can also help broadcasters by shedding light on the human aspect of the climate crises.”

Celebrating World Radio Day 2025
As we celebrate World Radio Day 2025, let us recognize the power of radio in shaping our lives and opinions. Let us appreciate the role of radio in fostering dialogue, bridging gaps, and sharing stories that need to be heard.


Share your thoughts on the significance of radio in your life. How has radio impacted your opinions, knowledge, and lifestyle? Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #WorldRadioDay.