New Delhi: Rajya Sabha Chairperson M. Venkaiah Naidu thanked the people of India on the inclusion of Kolkata's 'Durga Puja' in UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage shortly after the session began.

"Inclusion of Durga Puja in the list of intangible heritage is truly a source of great pride for our nation and speaks volumes about rich cultural variety of our country, which has been scrupulously kept and spread across generations," Naidu added. "On behalf of the House and on my own behalf, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the citizens of the country who have not only preserved the auspicious traditions of Durga Puja but have also infused newfound vitality into the celebrations," the Rajya Sabha chairperson said, to the thumping of desks by all members.

On December 15, UNESCO added Durga Puja to its 'Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,' a first in Asia, in recognition of the Bengali calendar's most important event.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) had tweeted: "Kolkata, the city of joy, is celebrating! Durga Puja has been inscribed on the Representative List of Humanity's Intangible Cultural Heritage "Durga Puja in Kolkata was inscribed on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity by UNESCO's 16th Committee at its meeting in Paris.

1300-year-old statue of 'Maa Durga' with lotus in hand

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