Lok Sabha Question No. 511 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-06
Subject: Project Mausam
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: PRALHAD VENKATESH JOSHI

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 511 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6.2.2017

## PROJECT MAUSAM

## 511. SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI:

## Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  objectives  and  detailed  outline  of  Project  Mausam  with  its  expected  time  of commencement and completion along with the cost of the project;
- (b) the details of the status of implementation of Project Mausam;
- (c)  the details of the funds allocated and expenditure incurred on the project during the last three years and the current year; and
- (d) the goals that the Government seeks to achieve by the said project;

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE, CULTURE AND TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) Project  'Mausam'  is  the  initiative  of  Ministry  of  Culture  to  be  implemented  by  the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as the nodal agency with research support of the  Indira  Gandhi  National  Centre  for  the  Arts  (IGNCA)  and  National Museum  as associate  bodies.  This  project  aims  to  explore  the  multi-faceted  Indian  Ocean 'world' - collating archaeological and historical research in order to document the diversity  of  cultural,  commercial  and  religious  interactions  in  the  Indian  Ocean  extending from East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian Subcontinent and Sri Lanka  to  the  Southeast  Asian  archipelago.  It  also  aims  to  promote  research  on themes  related  to  the  study  of  Maritime  Routes  through  international  scientific seminars and meetings and by adopting a multidisciplinary approach. The project encourages  the  production  of  specialized  works,  as  well  as  publications  for  the general public with an attempt at promoting a broader understanding of the concept of a common heritage and multiple identities. Project Mausam commenced in April 2015 and its completion is scheduled in March, 2017.  Total estimated cost of the project is Rs. 150, 244, 502/-.
- (b) The Government has identified 39 countries (list given in Annexure I) to bring on board  for  trans-national  nomination  for  World  Heritage  status.  Indian  missions  in these countries have been requested to identify appropriate authority/expert/resource  person  for  dialogue.  Seminars  and  academic  activities have been taken by IGNCA.
- (c) There was no specific allocation of funds for Project Mausam during financial year 2014-15  and  2015-16.  SFC  approved  a  fund  allocation  of  Rs.  78,225,975/-.  An amount of appx. Rs. 10,00,000/- was incurred during 2014-15, Rs. 6,96,000/- during 2015-16 and Rs. 4,76,000/- during 2016-17 on Project Mausam.
- (d) The main objective of the Project Mausam is to prepare a dossier for trans-national nomination  for  World  Heritage  listing.  It  also  goals  to  revive  lost  linkages  with nations along Indian Ocean, creation of database of sites and research on maritime routes and to re-establish communications between countries of the Indian Ocean World, which would lead to an enhanced understanding of cultural values.

## ANNEXURE-I

## ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (b)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 511 FOR 6.2.2017.

List of 39 Indian Ocean countries identified under Project Mausam:

|   1 | Bahrain                     |
|-----|-----------------------------|
|   2 | Bangladesh                  |
|   3 | Cambodia                    |
|   4 | China                       |
|   5 | Comoros                     |
|   6 | Egypt                       |
|   7 | Eritrea                     |
|   8 | Reunion, French Department  |
|   9 | Indonesia                   |
|  10 | Iraq                        |
|  11 | Iran (Islamic Republic)     |
|  12 | Jordan                      |
|  13 | Kuwait                      |
|  14 | Kenya                       |
|  15 | Lebanon                     |
|  16 | Madagascar                  |
|  17 | Malaysia                    |
|  18 | Maldives                    |
|  19 | Mauritius                   |
|  20 | Mozambique                  |
|  21 | Myanmar                     |
|  22 | Oman                        |
|  23 | Pakistan                    |
|  24 | Philippines                 |
|  25 | Qatar                       |
|  26 | Singapore                   |
|  27 | Sri Lanka                   |
|  28 | Saudi Arabia                |
|  29 | Seychelles                  |
|  30 | Somalia                     |
|  31 | South Africa                |
|  32 | Sudan                       |
|  33 | Syrian Arab Republic        |
|  34 | United Republic of Tanzania |
|  35 | Thailand                    |
|  36 | Turkey                      |
|  37 | United Arab Emirates        |
|  38 | Viet Nam                    |
|  39 | Yemen                       |