Expressing happiness over the
inclusion of the historic Red Fort as a world heritage site, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said there were few countries in the world, which could boast of great 'civilizational and cultural legacy.'
In a press note hand out issued by the Prime Minister's Office, Dr Singh said: 'I am delighted to learn that the World Heritage Committee has included four cultural sites across the world, including the Red Fort Complex on UNESCO's World Heritage List.'
'The Red Fort occupies a pride of place in every Indian's heart.
Successive prime ministers have been unfurling the National Flag and have been addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort since Independence. Every patriotic Indian's chest swells with pride when he sees the Red Fort,' he added.
Stating that the monument had a great architectural heritage and was a symbol of India's nationhood, the prime minister said, 'Based on a synthesis of Islamic, Persian, Timurid and Hindu traditions, it is a shining example of our rich composite culture. This development is an important recognition by the international community of the grandeur of our rich cultural and historical monuments.'
