Lok Sabha Question No. 5018 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-26
Subject: Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: ANWHAR RAAJHAA, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, NARANBHAI KACHHADIA, SUNIL KUMAR SINGH, SUDHEER GUPTA, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, T. RADHAKRISHNAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5018 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 TH MARCH, 2018

## RASHTRIYA SANSKRITI MAHOTSAV

## 5018.    SHRI A. ANWHAR RAAJHAA:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the  Government  has  launched  'Ek  Bharat  Shreshtha  Bharat' programme;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with its aims and objectives thereto;
- (c) whether the Government has organised Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav (RSM), 2018 in Indore under the theme of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' recently and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the names of the States who participated in the said Mahotsav; and
- (e) the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  organise  such events in other parts of the country at regular intervals?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR CULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST & CLIMATE CHANGE

## (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) & (b) Yes,  Madam.  The  'Ek  Bharat  Shrestha  Bharat'  programme,  aims  to actively  enhance  interaction  between  people  of  diverse  cultures  living  in  different States and UTs in India, with the objective of promoting greater mutual understanding  amongst  them.  As  per  the  programme,  each  year,  every  State/UT would be paired with another State/UT in India for reciprocal interaction between the people. It is envisaged through this exchange, that the knowledge of the language, culture, traditions and  practices of different states will  lead  to  an  enhanced understanding and bonding between one another, thereby strengthening the unity and integrity of  India. The States and  UTs are to embark on  a mission  to enhance

their  cultural,  academic  and  economic  ties  by  entering  into  a  wide  range  of  mutual engagements  with  the  paired  States/UTs  covering  the  spheres  of  music,  drama, cuisine, language, history, tourism and other forms of exchange between the people. An  indicative  list  of  activities  has  been  drawn  up  and  circulated  to  the  State Governments / UT Administrations and to the key Central Ministries. The States/ UTs may choose, evolve and develop their interaction pattern based on the suggested list as per operational suitability in the course of their interactions.

(c) & (d) Yes,  Madam.  A  Rashtriya  Sanskriti  Mahotsav  was  organized  under  Ek Bharat  Shreshtha  Bharat  (EBSB)  matrix  on  28th  February,  2018  at  Indore,  Madhya Pradesh. The paired States were Manipur & Nagaland. The folk & cultural art forms from the States of Manipur & Nagaland were presented in the said event.

(e) Ministry of Culture has also organized Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs in Gujarat, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh during the financial year 2017-18 using the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) matrix. The Ministry of Culture will conduct  similar programmes in other States during 2018-19.