An United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) team is expected in Shantiniketan today to assess whether Shantiniketan, Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore's abode of peace, could be listed as a world heritage site. UN Singh, Director, Rabindra Bhavan said, "We expect a UNESCO delegation to arrive soon. But we are not yet sure when or how many members will arrive."

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had submitted a formal request to UNESCO for inclusion of parts of Shantiniketan on the world heritage site list on January 20, 2010. If accepted, the places that will get world heritage tag under the 'culture' category include: Uttarayan complex and the institutes of Visva-Bharati and Sriniketan.

The UNESCO team will evaluate whether the supporting documents submitted to them were authentic. The delegation will submit a confidential report to the UNESCO headquarters after their return on the basis of which the declaration as a world heritage site will be made.

The Visva Bharati University authorities are confident that the evaluation will be a success and preparations have started for the visit. The heritage tag will help the university regain its pride which had been sullied over the years.