UNESCO includes Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra in the Memory of the World Register

India’s very own Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Bharata Muni’s Natyashashtra are inducted into UNESCO Memory of the World Programme Register – a global initiative to preserve and document heritage of outstanding value from around the world. 

The induction announcement comes with appreciation from prominent political figures like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who took it to his X page and captioned it as ‘Proud Moment for every Indian across the world’ and further said, “The inclusion of the Gita and Natyashastra in UNESCO Memory of the World Register is a global recognition of our timeless wisdom and rich culture. The Gita and Natyashastra have nurtured civilisation, and consciousness for centuries. Their insights continue to inspire the world.”

Nirmala Sithraman, the Finance Minister of India also shared praises by resharing the post of Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. The caption congratulated the Minister and the Ministry citing this as a “historic moment for our civilisational heritage”. 

With the addition of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Natyashashtra, 14 of India’s priceless inscriptions are in the UNESCO Memory of the World register like Poet Tulsidas’ ‘Ramacharitramanas’, the ancient collection of fables ‘Panchatantra’ and Acharya Anandvardhan’s ‘Sahṛdayaloka-Locana’. 

Since 1992, UNESCO has been documenting and working towards preserving the cultural and heritage manuscripts, written works and scriptures from around the world, preventing their irrevocable loss. UNESCO also democratises the works and makes its presence more aware around the world and raises awareness of the significance of such works, with the stress on preserving it. 

UNESCO’s initiatives like this help prevent the loss or damage of such important documents and ancient texts by digitalising. This is especially the case of growing nations where the preservation so that the ancient wisdom is not lost forever.