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Now our world famous ‘ Shantiniketan ‘ is a World Heritage site . UNESCO inscripted Shantiniketan in the list in 2023 under the criteria ( iv ) and ( vi ). It was inscripted under criteria ( iv ) as an outstanding example of a type of building , architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates a significant stage in human history and criteria ( vi ) – to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions , with ideas, or with beliefs , with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance . It was included in the list during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in Saudi Arabia on 17th September, Sunday . It is now India’s 41st World Heritage site. It was recommended to be enlisted by ICOMOS ( International Council on Monuments and Sites ) , the advisory body to UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

In the year 1862, Devendranath Tagore ( father of our world famous poet Rabindranath Tagore) established an Ashram in Bhubandanga in Birbhum. It was renamed by him as ‘ Shantiniketan ‘ . That means ‘ Abode of peace ‘.

Then in 1901, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore established a Brahmacharya Ashram school surrounded by nature and came to be known as ‘ Patha Bhavana ‘ from 1925. In the year 1921, Rabindranath Tagore established a ‘world university ‘ in Shantiniketan which is known as ‘ Visva Bharathi ‘ . It is now a Central University. It is a centre of art, culture, heritage and tradition. It is carrying the vision of unity of humanity .

It is really a moment of pride for us that our famous Shantiniketan is now a World Heritage site.


A . Read the passage and answer the questions below – 2×2=4
1 . Who established Shantiniketan and in which year ?

2 . Who established Visva Bharathi and in which year ?

B. Fill in the blanks with suitable information from the passage – 1×5=5

1 . Shantiniketan was recommended to be enlisted in the World Heritage site list by ————————————.

2 . Shantiniketan is now inscripted in the World Heritage site by ————————-.

3. The 45th session of the World Heritage Committee was held ——————————-.

4. The full form of ICOMOS is ———————————————————–.

5. Shantiniketan is now India’s —————— World Heritage site.

C. UNESCO inscripted Shantiniketan in the World Heritage sites list as per the criteria ( iv ) and ( vi ). What are the features of these criterias. 2+2=4

D . Choose a suitable title for the passage and provide reason for choosing the title. 2


Writing Skills –

1 . Write a newspaper report about the inscription of Shantiniketan in the World Heritage site list . 10





2 . Write a ‘ Summary ‘ based on the above passage. 10





3. Write a letter to your younger sister about the inscription of Shantiniketan in the World Heritage site list. 10




4. Have you ever visited Shantiniketan ? Describe your experience of visiting the place .