NEW DELHI: Significant to Bihar ahead of the assembly elections, PM Narendra Modi on Sunday said govt would work for the inclusion of Chhath Puja, the state’s biggest festival, in Unesco’s list of cultural heritage.“Our festivals keep India’s culture alive. Chhath Puja is one such sacred festival that comes right after Diwali. Dedicated to the Sun God, this great festival is very special. In it, we offer ‘arghya’ even to the setting sun and worship him,” Modi said in his monthly radio address, ‘Mann Ki Baat’.He said Chhath Puja was celebrated not just in various parts of the country, but its radiance seen across the world. “Today, it is becoming a global festival,” he said.People can witness Chhath divinity if it gets Unesco tag: PM ModiNEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi Sunday said when Chhath Puja finds a place in Unesco’s list, people across the world will be able to experience its grandeur and divinity, reports Manash Gohain. He pointed out that Kolkata’s Durga Puja had earlier received a similar recognition, reinforcing the possibility of Chhath securing global acknowledgment.During his campaign for Bihar’s last assembly poll, Modi had highlighted his scheme of free distribution of foodgrains, saying it ensured that women in Bihar celebrated Chhath.Looking ahead to the festive season, Modi urged citizens to prioritise local products. “If we give our cultural celebrations global recognition, the world will know them, understand them and come forward to participate. At the same time, I appeal to people to buy local products. This not only boosts traditional industries but directly benefits the families making them, thereby strengthening economy from the grassroots.“By foregrounding Chhath – an occasion particularly significant in Bihar and the east – Modi sought to underline cultural pride and govt’s effort to elevate regional traditions to global platforms. He framed the festival as a contributor to economic empowerment.
