Recently, the town of Santiniketan located in West Bengal’s Birbhum district was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This recognition has been the fruit of constant efforts since 2010, and it becomes India’s 41st site to receive this honor.
The Historical and Cultural Significance of Santiniketan
In 1862, Rabindranath Tagore’s father, Debendranath Tagore, discovered this beautiful landscape and formed an ashram, naming it Santiniketan. The area, previously known as Bhubadanga, was renamed due to its serene environment suitable for meditation.
Rabindranath Tagore later chose a significant part of this land in 1901 to establish a school patterned on the Brahmacharya Ashram model. This school evolved over time into the renowned Visva Bharati University.
Santiniketan as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Ministry of Culture recommended Santiniketan for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List, highlighting its significance in human values, architecture, arts, town planning, and landscape design. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has actively participated in restoring several structures within Santiniketan, preserving its historical and cultural essence.
The Life and Works of Rabindranath Tagore
Born on May 7, 1861, Rabindranath Tagore came from a distinguished Bengali family. As a multi-talented personality, he gained fame not only as a poet but also as a philosopher, musician, playwright, painter, educator, and social reformer.
In 1913, Tagore earned the Nobel Prize in Literature for his collection of poems titled “Gitanjali” (Song Offerings), making him the first Asian to receive this honor. Apart from writing national anthems for India and Bangladesh, he was also an advocate for social reform, critiquing British colonial rule and working for Indian independence.
His immense contribution to literature and society is evident in his numerous poems, short stories, novels, essays, and plays, which often explored themes of love, nature, and spirituality. He died on August 7, 1941, leaving behind a lasting impact on global culture.
Understanding UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites
UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites are places listed for their special cultural or physical significance. The ‘World Heritage Programme’ maintains this list, administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. This is brought into effect through an international treaty known as the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, established by UNESCO in 1972.
Reference: UPSC Civil Services Examination Question
In context to Santiniketan’s declaration as a world heritage site, here is a Previous Year Question (PYQ) from UPSC Civil Services Examination for reference:
Prelims: Which one of the following National Parks has a climate that varies from tropical to subtropical, temperate and arctic? (2015)
(a) Khangchendzonga National Park
(b) Nandadevi National Park
(c) Neora Valley National Park
(d) Namdapha National Park
Ans: (d)
Mains: What was the difference between Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore in their approach towards education and nationalism?(2023)
