New Delhi, Dec. 10 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed UNESCO's decision to add Diwali - or Deepavali - to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, calling the recognition a moment of pride for India. The announcement was made on Wednesday during the ongoing UNESCO committee session in New Delhi.

Responding to the inscription, the Prime Minister wrote on X that people "in India and around the world are thrilled" by the development. "For us, Deepavali is very closely linked to our culture and ethos. It is the soul of our civilisation. It personifies illumination and righteousness," he said. Modi added that UNESCO's recognition would further enhance the festival's global visibility. "May the ideals ...