The vibrant beats of ‘Garba’ echoed through Times Square as the Indian-American community celebrated its inclusion in UNESCO’s cultural heritage list. Braving near-freezing temperatures, diaspora members from the New York tri-state area gathered to perform the traditional dance. UNESCO’s recent recognition during its 18th session in Botswana marked ‘Garba of Gujarat’ as India’s 15th inscription on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Dressed in traditional attire, participants danced amidst Times Square’s iconic billboards, drawing attention from locals and tourists. Acting Consul General of India in New York, Dr Varun Jeph, emphasized the significance of celebrating Garba at this global crossroads, highlighting unity and cultural richness.
The celebration, organized by the Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-NE and the Consulate General of India, featured a video on Garba displayed prominently in Times Square. FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya expressed gratitude to UNESCO for recognizing Garba, a sentiment echoed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who lauded Garba’s global acknowledgment and emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting India’s rich cultural heritage.
