"Moment of elation...": Amit Shah hails inclusion of Gwalior, Kozhikode in UNESCO's creative cities network

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday hailed the inclusion of Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior and Kerala's Kozhikode in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization- UNESCO's creative cities network.
Taking to 'X' (formerly Twitter), Shah wrote, "It is another moment of elation for our nation as Gwalior and Kozhikode have been included in @UNESCO's Creative Cities Network".
"Taking note of Gwalior's glorious heritage of music, the city has been designated as the 'City of Music' and Kozhikode in Kerala as the 'City of Literature' by UNESCO. The global recognition of our creative spirit will endow the creative pursuits of our poets, authors and musicians with a renewed zest while strengthening our cultural identity", he added.
As per an official statement by UNESCO, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was created in 2004 to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified 'creativity' as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.
55 new cities including Gwalior and Kozhikode have joined UNESCO's creative cities network.
With the latest additions, the Network now counts 350 cities in more than one hundred countries, representing seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts and Music.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed glee over the inclusion of Indian cities in UNESCO's creative cities network.
"India's cultural vibrancy shines brighter on the global stage with Kozhikode's rich literary legacy and Gwalior's melodious heritage now joining the esteemed UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Congratulations to the people of Kozhikode and Gwalior on this remarkable achievement!" PM Modi wrote in a post on 'X'.
"As we celebrate this international recognition, our nation reaffirms its commitment to preserving and promoting our diverse cultural traditions. These accolades also reflect the collective efforts of every individual dedicated to nurturing and sharing our unique cultural narratives", the Prime Minister added.