PATNA, Sept. 29 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the Central government was engaged in getting the Chhath festival, which is observed with piety in the whole of Bihar and beyond, included in the UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) list. "Our festivals keep the culture of India alive. Dedicated to the Sun God, Chhath Puja is one such festival that comes after Diwali and is very significant. Setting Sun is also offered prayer in Chhath. It is observed not only in different parts of India, but also across the world and is turning into a global festival," he said during his 'Mann Ki Baat' radio address. The PM said that the Centre was making a big effort to get Chhath festival included in the UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) list so that people across the globe could get a feel of its grandeur and divinity. "When Chhath Puja is included in the Unesco list, people in every corner of the world will be able to experience its grandeur and divinity,"the PM said. BJP's state leadership was elated that the PM mentioned Chhath in his monthly radio programme."This is a matter of great joy for the people of Bihar. The PM has touched the heart of the people by announcing the government's efforts for Chhath, which is always special in Bihar," said Bihar BJP president Dilip Jaiswal. With the Central government writing a letter to the secretary of Sangeet Natak Akademi for nomination of Chhath festival in the UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) list, there is renewed hope of this age-old tradition getting global recognition. Last month, UNESCO Director Tim Curtis' had also visited Bihar Museum Biennale and delivered his keynote address on UNESCO's 'Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage' and the importance of preserving living heritage. "He delivered the keynote, focused on 'Interrogating the Global South: Shared Histories'. His speech emphasized UNESCO's 'Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage' and the importance of preserving living heritage, which is shared across borders," said Bihar museum director general Anjani Kumar Singh. Singh said that the Bihar government had also sent a proposal for inclusion of Chhath in the ICH list after detailed research conducted through the museum and documentation, and now after PM's remark, things could look up before too late to make Chhath more special. "We brought the significance and uniqueness of Chhath to the notice of the UNESCO Director, who underlined the role of communities as custodians and transmitters of this heritage in his address," he added. Singh said that Chhath is a living tradition and it has spread beyond Bihar and India due to people's involvement cutting across class, creed and generations. "It is now celebrated in several countries. We had sent a detailed proposal to the Bihar government's department of art and culture after thorough documentation a year ago and from there it was sent to the culture ministry. We are hopeful of it finding a place in the ICH list, as there is no parallel to it in the world and PM's observation means a lot," he added. Chhath puja is a four-day festival with rigorous rituals dedicated to the Sun God and which is believed to have originated in Bihar and eastern UP, and gradually traversed to various parts of the country and even abroad. It is a unique festival in which 'arghya' (offering water with prayer) is offered to the setting and rising Sun, the only visible deity. The festival is known for its intense 36-hour fast without water. This year Chhath falls during November 5-8, when the state will be in grip of the assembly elections....