Lok Sabha Question No. 465 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-06
Subject: Promotion of Cultural Development Programmes
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Ranjeeta Koli, Balak Nath, Sumedhanand Saraswati, Manoj Rajoria

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 465 ANSWERED ON 06.02.2023

## PROMOTION OF CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES

## †465.  SHRIMATI RANJEETA KOLI: SHRI BALAK NATH: SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI:

DR. MANOJ RAJORIA:

Will the Minister of Culture be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  promote  Cultural  Development programmes in the country including Rajasthan and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether the Government is working on any plan for conservation of art and promotion of famous folk/traditional and other artists of Rajasthan;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether work on any special scheme is being carried out to promote the talent of these artists at international level and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (c) To protect, promote and preserve various forms of folk art & culture and to promote Cultural  Development programmes  in the country including Rajasthan, the Government of India has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs). Rajasthan is a member State of West Zone Cultural Centre (WZCC), Udaipur; North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), Patiala and North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC), Prayagraj. Artists are engaged by these ZCCs from the State of Rajasthan to showcase their art/talent at Pan India level. All the seven ZCCs also implement a number of schemes viz. Award to Young Talented Artistes, Guru Shishya Parampara Scheme, Theatre Rejuvenation Scheme, Research & Documentation Scheme,  Shilpgram  Scheme,  OCTAVE,  J&K  Festivals  and  National  Cultural  Exchange Programme (NCEP) for promotion of cultural development programmes in the country.

Further,  for  conservation  of  art  and  promotion  of  various  folk/traditional  and  other arts of Rajasthan, WZCC organizes 'Shilpgram Utsav' at Udaipur every year in which more than 650 artisans, craftsmen and folk/traditional artists participate from all over the country. Besides, Ministry of Culture also organizes Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs (RSMs) through these  ZCCs  where  a  large  number  of  artists  from  all  over  India  including  Rajasthan  are engaged  to  showcase  their  talents.  From  2015  onwards,  twelve  (12)  RSMs  have  been organized by Ministry of Culture across the country. These ZCCs also organize a minimum number of 42 Regional Festivals every year for development of art and culture.

- (d) Ministry  of  Culture  administers  a  scheme  at  International  level  namely  'Global Engagement Scheme' with the following two components:
- i. Festival  of  India :  To  promote  Indian  culture  abroad,  folk/traditional  artists practicing Indian art forms are provided an opportunity to perform abroad during the festival.
- ii. Grant  in  aid  to  Indo-Foreign  Friendship  Cultural  Societies :  Under  this scheme, financial assistance is provided to cultural societies actively promoting Indian Culture abroad to organize cultural activities.
- (e) Does not arise.

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