India’s permanent delegation in UNESCO located in the French capital Paris on Wednesday (September 17, 2025) nominated his birthplace Vadnagar in Gujarat for initial evaluation at the UNESCO World Heritage Center on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday.
Vishal V. Sharma, India’s permanent ambassador to UNESCO, said, ‘Vadnagar with a history of about 3,000 years has a treasure of antiquity and heritage, which is believed to be from around 800 to 900 BCE. On the occasion of PM Modi’s birthday, we wish him hearty greetings.
The enrollment made by India is part of the effort under which the increasing representation of India is being further strengthened by including the historic city in the World Heritage Register.
India took the first step in the two -phase process
In the two -phase process of UNESCO, the enrollment made by India is considered the first step. According to the Guidelines of the World Heritage Center, in the initial evaluation, it is investigated whether a place holds an extraordinary universal significance and or not with it meets the standards of cultural or natural importance or not and does it have adequate protection and management structure. When all these standards are confirmed during evaluation, only then is it considered to formally include any place in the World Heritage List.
Evidence given in nomination of Multi -time historical role of Vadnagar
Evidence of humans living in Vadnagar located in Mehsana district of Gujarat state for nearly 2,700 years is found. The excavations conducted by the Archaeological Directorate of Gujarat and the Archaeological Survey of India have been identified by seven cultural pediatrics, which are spread almost from the early second century BCE to the 19th century.
In the nomination, Vadnagar is underlined as a strong city, as a commercial center, as a religious center and a junction of ground and marine trade routes as a city with a multidimensional historical role.
Also read: Trying to hijack Air India aircraft? Captain showed understanding, 9 passengers taken into custody