New Delhi: Leaders across party lines on Wednesday welcomed the inclusion of Diwali — one of India’s foremost cultural and spiritual festivals — in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, calling it a “commendable” step and a moment of pride for the country.

A total of 67 nominations submitted by nearly 80 countries, including India’s Diwali, were examined during the week-long key session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which began at Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday.

Uttar Pradesh Minister Danish Azad Ansari termed the move “very commendable”.

Speaking to IANS, Ansari said, “Today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s cultural heritage has received global recognition.

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