Diwali’s designation by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is a landmark event for India, worth noticing from both a cultural and a diplomatic standpoint. Diwali is a festival celebrated throughout India and by millions of people worldwide, but it is more than just a festival; it embodies India's rich past, its spiritual heritage, and its social way of life. Being featured on UNESCO's list is akin to a global brand promotion; it draws attention to the urgent need to preserve India's intangible cultural heritage in this highly connected world.
To begin with, this acknowledgment represents the most important cultural aspects of Diwali and highlights its function as a sign of these things: light against darkness, good against evil, hope against despair. It deals with the universal topics of the triumph of good, the new beginning, and the joining of the community, thus extending its reach beyond Indian borders. With that status, the festival acquires the power to work as a medium for communication and understanding between cultures. This is where India's soft power comes, projecting its rich traditions and history to the rest of the world.
Such a celebration on a global scale not only elevates India's cultural sway but also generates a feeling of pride and unity among the people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement of Diwali as "the soul of our civilisation" and a festival "deeply connected to our values" points towards the idea that cultural identity is at the core of national pride and integration. Besides, global acknowledgment is a call to diasporas in all corners of the world to take part in and raise their inheritance, thus reinforcing their ties across borders.
While it is comforting and celebratory, the recognition prompts a question concerning the effects of this listing on India’s cultural policies. The festival is almost like a cultural property that has to be maintained and promoted not only by the government but also by the communities. The dangers are the commercialisation that could possibly dilute the spiritual and cultural legacy of the festival by shifting the focus from traditional values to materialism, thereby losing the authentic essence.
Opponents may contend that such acknowledgements entail the risk of cultural commodification and shallower display. Another issue raised is that concentrating on global awards may lead to overlooking local problems like cultural preservation amid rapid urbanisation and the West's influence. Thirdly, the religious and cultural aspects of the festival could be simplified or commercialised when exposed worldwide.
As Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, India's Minister of Culture, commented, "We should make sure that Diwali continues being a living heritage." Doing this implies, among other things, financing cultural education, implementing programmes for community involvement, and turning to festival-friendly methods that do not allow for commercialising or diluting the spiritual aspect of the festival. It also encompasses issues of tradition and progress, making sure that the festival will have a value for the new generation.
If we look at the bigger picture, the acknowledgement is in harmony with UNESCO’s goal to protect the intangible cultural heritage worldwide. The list is an assortment of the world's diverse cultural symbols embracing countries like Ghana, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Haiti, and is a true reflection of the human's rich expressive nature. This success of India marks its dedication to cultural diversity as well as its active involvement in the UNESCO community.
This is a moment of pride for India, and it is also a reminder that the country needs to keep up with the true spirit of Diwali under the present challenges.
