Gandhinagar: UNESCO Director General Ms. Irina Bokova today handed over the certificate of inscription as world Heritage city to Ahmedabad to Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Vijay Rupani in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Nitinbhai Patel.

Mr. Rupani said that it the moment of pride for all to receive India’s first world Heritage City certificate. It is a misfortune that our Ahmedabad did not become a place in the World Heritage as a result of the previous governments’ indifference towards these places, it is a proud moment for all people of Gujarat, he added.

Mr. Rupani said that our Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi did a lot of hard work to get the heritage city tag for Ahmedabad from the UNESCO. He said that in 1411 the Ahmedabad city was built by Ahmed shah and world prestige of those architectures, artistic buildings, poles, Hindu, Jain-Islamic places are now accepted with heritage city.

Mr. Vijay Rupani appealed the citizens of Ahmedabad that it is the responsibility of each and every one of us to maintain this pride and glory of the newly crowned World Heritage City. He also expressed his joy and gratitude to Prime Minister Mr. Narendrabhai Modi who fulfilled his dream to make Ahmedabad the World Heritage City when he was the Chief Minister of the state way back in 2010. He added that the city of Ahmedabad under the visionary leadership of Mr. Modi acquired a position in the Smart Cities list and got equipped with state of the art facilities like modern infrastructure, smart transit system, optical fibre network, B.R.T.S, metro and many more. He now appealed the citizens and told that it is the need of the hour to now protect, preserve and maintain the heritage sites of the city. He congratulated the officials of the AMC, and various other government officials and the citizens of the state on this historical day.
Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Nitinbhai Patel said that the city of Ahmedabad was previously known for trade and commerce across the globe. But today, it acquired one more tag of ‘World Heritage City’ and gained recognition worldwide. He thanked Prime Minister Mr. Narendrabhai Modi for all his efforts, guidance and vision since 2010 to make Ahmedabad a World Heritage City. It is because of his efforts that the city has gained this title today.

The city of Ahmedabad now boasts the robust infrastructure, the Sabarmati Riverfront, B.R.T.S coupled with the historical walled city and sites. People from all over the world will now throng the city thereby spreading its legacy beyond the borders of the state and the nation.

Mr. Gautambhai Shah expressed utmost happiness and told that the Heritage Cell was started in the AMC in the year 1996 to carry take care of the legacy, glory and heritage left by Ahmed Shah in 1411.

Director General of UNESCO, Ms. Irina Bokova said that Ahmedabad is the first Heritage city of India. Its architecture and beauty is beyond words. To add, it is the place from where the Father of the Nation M. K. Gandhi began the historical freedom struggle. She appealed one and all to preserve this glory so that the future generations can also get a glimpse of the same.

Minister of State for Women and Child Development Dr.Nirmalaben Wadhwani, M.P Dr.Kiritbhai Solanki, Parliamentary Secretary Babubhai Patel, MLAs of Ahmedabad, Director of UNESCO Delhi Mr. Shigeru Aoyagi, Principal Secretary of Urban Development Department Mr. Mukesh Puri, Municipal Commissioner of AMC Mr.Gautam Shah, Collector Mrs. Avantika Singh, senior officers and dignitaries along with a large number of people were present on the occasion.

– Information