Celebrating 73 years of India’s membership with the UN in Delhi

India’s rich culture and diversity were celebrated at the United Nations Day reception, recently organised at the UN House in the city. The programme began with dancers from West Bengal performing Purulia Chhau, a semi-classical folk dance from the state. This was followed by a speech by UN Resident Coordinator Yuri Afanasiev. He then welcomed Hardeep S Puri, MoS for Housing and Urban Affairs, Amitabh Kant, CEO, Niti Aayog, and Ramdas Athawale, MoS for Social Justice and Empowerment, who were the chief guests of the evening.Exhibits from the Crafts Museum were also displayed at the venue.

Hardeep S Puri, MoS for Housing and Urban Affairs, with wife Lakshmi Puri

Folk dancers from West Bengal performing the Purulia Chhau
Yuri also dedicated the UN campus to the country’s culture and heritage. He said, “It is the 73rd year of India’s membership with the UN. India has been one of the strongest supporters of the UN and I am honoured to serve in a country which is leading in terms of sustainable development locally and globally. I love India’s culture and I am proud to dedicate this compound to India’s cultural heritage and the vibrant developmental traditions of the country that will provide the right environment for thinking about the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).”
Speaking to the audience, Hardeep S Puri said, “The UN was born while the Second World War was still on, and the idea behind it was to save the coming generation from the scourge of the war. And this idea has matured over the seven decades of UN’s existence and as we celebrate the 73rd year of India’s membership with the UN, I want to thank the organisation for their support.”

Shazia Ilmi

Deepa Malik and Devika Malik

Amitabh Kant, CEO, Niti Aayog

Geeta Chandran

Daniel Chuburu, Ambassador, Argentina

Ranjana Kumari, Director, CSR