Lok Sabha Question No. 854 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-21
Subject: Programmes to Create Cultural Awareness
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: SHARAD TRIPATHI, SATYA PAL SINGH, JUGAL KISHORE SHARMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 854 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST NOVEMBER, 2016

## PROGRAMMES TO CREATE CULTURAL AWARENESS

## † 854.   SHRI SHARAD TRIPATHI: DR. SATYAPAL SINGH: SHRI JUGAL KISHORE:

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

- (a) whether the Government organizes various programmes/events to create cultural awareness  and  promote  country's  rich  cultural heritage  among  people  particularly,  among  school  and  college students;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the achievement made so far;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to constitute a National Commission of Heritage Sites;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the said Commission is likely to be constituted;
- (e) whether the Government proposes to set up Indian Cultural Centres abroad to propagate our Indian Culture in entire world; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and the funds allocated by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR CULTURE AND TOURISM (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) & (b) Yes,  Madam.  To  create  cultural  awareness  and  promote  country's rich  cultural  heritage  among  people  including  school  and  college  students,  the Government of India has taken up various measures including inter-alia setting up of  seven  Zonal  Cultural  Centres  (ZCCs)  with  headquarters  at  Patiala,  Nagpur, Udaipur, Allahabad, Kolkata, Dimapur and Thanjavur. These ZCCs organize various cultural  programmes and activities on a  regular basis at various places  including schools and colleges throughout the country. The ZCC at Allahabad is running two interpretation centres in two schools of Varanasi imparting training of Chaiti and Kajri to the students of these schools. The ZCC at Patiala invites school and college students in its mega events like National Crafts Melas, SARAS Melas  and  Fairs & Festivals organized in the member states. Free DVDs/CDs are

distributed  to  students  to  acquaint  them  about  the  art  forms  and  rich  cultural heritage  of  India.  These  ZCCs  also  organize  number  of  workshops,  seminars, summer  camps,  festivals,  shivirs  etc.  in  various  schools  for  the  children.  During Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs held in Delhi during the year 2015 and 2016, students from  various  schools  and  colleges  were  involved,  presented  Nukkad  Nataks  at various places in New Delhi and also served as volunteers during the Mahotsavs.

- (c) No, Madam.
- (d) Does not arise.

(e) & (f) Indian  Council  for  Cultural  Relations  (ICCR)  is  an  autonomous  body under Ministry of External Affairs is currently operating 37 Indian Cultural Centres across the globe, where the knowledge about various aspects of Indian culture like dance, music, yoga and language are provided to the local citizens. These Centres are  located  in  Guyana,  Suriname,  Egypt,  Indonesia  (Jakarta  &  Bali),  Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan,  Fiji,  South  Africa  (Johannesburg  &  Durban),  Trinidad  &  Tobago, Mexico, Brazil, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Tanzania,  Netherlands,  Maldives,  Malaysia,  Russia,  Germany,  United  Kingdom, China,  Japan,  Hungary,  Afghanistan,  Tajikstan,  Myanmar,  Czech  Republic,  Iran, Australia,  Mauritius  and  Vietnam.  For  establishment  of  two  new  Indian  Cultural Centres in Washington and Paris, the properties are being renovated for opening of these Centres. A provision of ` 9226.00 lakhs has been made in BE 2016-17 by ICCR for running the existing Centres as well as for opening the new Centres.