Lucknow named UNESCO Creative City for its rich culinary heritage
United Nations (PTI): Lucknow has been added to the list of UNESCO “creative cities” for its rich and diverse culinary heritage.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay has designated 58 cities as new members of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Creative Cities Network, which now includes 408 cities across more than 100 countries.
Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, has been recognised in the category of “Gastronomy”.
“Proud Moment for India. Lucknow’s rich culinary heritage now recognised on the global stage!” Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO said in a social media post on Friday.
“On World Cities Day 2025 (30 Oct), Lucknow has been designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, joining 58 new cities included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). The UCCN, which now has 408 cities across 100+ countries, promotes creativity and culture as key drivers of sustainable urban development,” it said.
Lucknow is renowned for its rich and traditional gourmet food, from the popular street food ‘chaat’ to Awadhi cuisine and delectable desserts.
The recognition, announced on World Cities Day, honours cities for their “commitment to championing creativity as a driver of sustainable urban development” as they bring their proven expertise in building resilient and vibrant communities.
“UNESCO Creative Cities demonstrate that culture and creative industries can be concrete drivers of development. By welcoming 58 new cities, we are strengthening a Network where creativity supports local initiatives, attracts investment and promotes social cohesion,” Azoulay said.
Established in 2004, the UCCN aims to foster cooperation among cities that leverage culture and creativity to promote inclusive and sustainable growth. It supports initiatives that generate employment, enhance cultural vitality and strengthen social cohesion.
UCCN encourages cooperation between cities, the sharing of experiences and the pooling of solutions and allows members to inspire each other and strengthen the economic, social and environmental impact of their cultural policies.
UNESCO said the newly designated creative cities -- ranging from Kisumu (Kenya) and New Orleans (US) for Music, to Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) for Design, Matosinhos (Portugal) and Cuenca (Ecuador) for Gastronomy, Giza (Egypt) for Film, Rovaniemi (Finland) for Architecture, Malang (Indonesia) for Media Arts, and Aberystwyth (UK) for Literature -- exemplify how local creativity promotes a distinct cultural expertise, rooted in its territory and generating social cohesion and economic dynamism.
The Creative Cities will gather for the Network's 2026 Annual Conference in Essaouira (Morocco), which was named a Creative City for Music in 2019.
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Karnataka police constable arrested for forging passport verification records
Mangaluru: A police constable attached to the Vitla Police Station has been arrested for allegedly forging documents and manipulating passport verification records to obtain a clearance certificate from the authorities.
Police said on Tuesday that a person identified as Shakti Das, who claimed to be residing within the jurisdiction of the Vitla Police Station, first applied for a passport in February 2025.
During police verification, it was found that the address mentioned in the application did not match official records, following which the application was not recommended.
In June 2025, Shakti Das reportedly submitted a second passport application. Police alleged that Pradeep, a staff member at the Vitla Police Station, processed the reapplication without informing the concerned beat constable, Sabu Mirji, who was responsible for verifying the applicant’s address.
Pradeep allegedly prepared a verification report in the name of the beat constable, forged his signature, secured approval from senior officers, and forwarded the report. He is also accused of destroying verification-related documents to conceal the irregularities.
As per the report, the matter came to light on December 19 during a scrutiny of records. Police said the acts amounted to criminal breach of trust, as a crucial identity document issued by the Central government was fraudulently obtained.
Police further said that Shakti Das claims to hail from West Bengal, and his address is currently being verified.
Based on the findings, Vitla Police have registered a case against Pradeep and passport holder Shakti Das under Sections 336, 337, 316(5), and 238 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Pradeep has been arrested and produced before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody. Further investigation is underway, police said.
