Historic achievement: Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra included in UNESCO Memory of the World Register; India now has 14 entries.

The Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra have been included in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, which features some of the most precious and historically significant documents from around the globe. The announcement was made by Union Minister of Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, via a post on X. He expressed pride that the world is recognizing the nation's rich historical heritage and cultural legacy. With the inclusion of the Gita and Natyashastra, India now has a total of 14 entries in the register, he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also called it a proud moment for the country. He stated that the intellectual brilliance of both the Bhagavad Gita and the Natyashastra would continue to inspire the world.

The UNESCO Memory of the World Register includes documents and manuscripts of historical significance and the potential to inspire generations. Entries are selected by the Executive Committee based on the recommendations of an International Advisory Committee.

Other Indian entries already included in the register are the Tamil Medical Manuscript Collections, historical records of the Dutch East India Company, Shaiva manuscripts from Puducherry, and the Rigveda, among others.