Page 18 - The Indian EYE 122223

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline DECEMBER 22, 2023 | The Indian Eye 18

Times Square painted in

the vibrant hues

of Garba and Gujarat

The event marked the inclusion of Garba in UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

OUR BUREAU
New York, NY
he beats and music of ‘Garba’
echoed at the Times Square as
Tmembers of the Indian-Amer-
ican community performed the tra-
ditional Gujarati dance to celebrate
its inclusion in UNESCO’s cultural
heritage list. Members of the diaspo-
ra from around the New York area,
including New Jersey, gathered in
large numbers to perform Garba in
the heart of Times Square.

UNESCO’s Intergovernmental
Committee for the Safeguard-
ing of the Intangible Cultural

Heritage inscribed ‘Garba of
Gujarat’ on the Representative
List of the Intangible Cultural
Heritage of Humanity during

its 18th session in Kasane, Bo-
tswana. The inclusion of Garba
now makes it India›s 15th in-
scription on the list.

Some onlookers even joined the
dance, trying to match the steps and
the rhythm of Garba and the ‘Dhol’ Square - the “crossroads of the world” NY-NJ-NE (FIA) and communi- Vaidya also expressed gratitude
as Times Square got painted in the - is indeed special and unparalleled. ty members came together with the to Prime Minister Modi for his lead-
vibrant hues of Gujarat and Garba. Jeph emphasized that the cele- Consulate General of India in New ership and efforts of the government
Acting Consul General of In- bration in Times Square highlights York to celebrate Garba at Times of India in getting Garba inscribed in
dia in New York Dr Varun Jeph ad- unity, harmony and communities Square. A special video on Garba the UNESCO list.
dressed the gathering, and said it is a coming together. “Let the rhythm of was also displayed prominently on a FIA’s newly elected President
“momentous and historic occasion as Garba resonate in our hearts and let billboard in Times Square. for 2024 Dr Avinash Gupta said it is
we celebrate Garba of Gujarat” and it spread across the world,” he said. FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya a proud moment for India and the
its inclusion in UNESCO’s Intangi- Jeph noted that over the years described the occasion as “historic” diaspora across the world that Gar-
ble Cultural Heritage list. several other cultural elements of and said the Indian-American dias- ba has been inscribed in UNESCO’s
“These celebrations are not just India have been added to the UN- pora has a fondness for the art form Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hu-
celebrations of Garba but these are ESCO list and “we are sure that in of Garba. “We are extremely grate- manity list. “Garba brings people
the celebrations of the diverse, vi- the coming years, more and more el- ful to UNESCO for recognising” and communities together and we
brant and celebrated traditions, her- ements will be added”. the ancient art form that “is also an are so proud that we are celebrating
itage and culture of India,” he said, Leading diaspora organisation auspicious and divine celebration” in it today at the crossroads of the world
adding celebrating Garba at Times Federation of Indian Associations India during the festival of Navratri. - Times Square.”

www.TheIndianEYE.com