Lok Sabha Question No. 2178 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Regional Outreach of National Akademis
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Dayal Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2178 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## REGIONAL OUTREACH OF NATIONAL AKADEMIS

## 2178. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

(a)    whether  the Government is aware of the uneven regional outreach of National Akademis, with limited presence in culturally rich States and tribal areas;

(b) whether the Government is also taking any specific measures to establish regional centres in underserved States and regions;

(c) if so, the details thereof, including plans for setting up centres in tribal and rural areas; and

(d) if not, the reasons therefor along with any challenges faced by the Government in achieving a pan-India presence?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a)  to  (d): The  Government  of  India  recognizes  the  country's  rich  cultural  diversity  and  is committed to ensuring that National Akademis reach all regions, including culturally rich States and  tribal  areas.  These  Akademis  have  successfully  fostered  a  vibrant  art  ecosystem  by expanding  their reach through strategic partnerships with Zonal Cultural Centres, State Akademies,  and  other  government  bodies.  This  is  in  addition  to  the  extensive  network  of regional centers and sub-centers already in place across the nation.

These institutions and centers actively promote and preserve the diverse cultural heritage of their respective  regions,  with  special  emphasis  on  the  needs  of  tribal  communities.  Some  key initiatives are outlined below:

- (i) Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) has set up four regional centers in Guwahati, Udaipur, Hyderabad, and Damoh to extend its outreach to rural and tribal areas.
- (ii) Lalit Kala Akademi (LKA) organizes numerous events across indigenous regions of India and invites artists from around the world, including those from tribal areas, to participate in exhibitions and programs. Artists are also provided with galleries to display their works at LKA's centers  in  Delhi,  Kolkata,  Chennai,  Lucknow,  Bhubaneswar, Agartala,  and  Shimla. LKA  operates  six  regional  centers  in  Chennai,  Garhi,  Lucknow,  Kolkata,  Agartala,  and Bhubaneswar.
- (iii) Sahitya  Akademi  (SA) is  dedicated  to  preserving,  promoting,  and  enriching Indian literature. SA  has hosted national-level literary events in locations such as Kargil, Lakshadweep,  Port  Blair, Aizawl,  Kohima,  and  Pasighat.  The  Akademi  has  four  regional centers  in  Mumbai,  Kolkata,  Bengaluru,  and  Chennai.  It  has  also  established  a  North  East Centre  for  Oral  Literature  (NECOL)  in  Agartala,  which  focuses  on  the  unrecognized languages  of  the  North  East,  bringing  out  relevant  publications  and  organizing  languagespecific activities and programs.
- (iv) National School of Drama (NSD) has set up five regional centers in Bengaluru, Agartala, Gangtok, Varanasi, and Srinagar to enhance outreach to rural and tribal communities.
- (v) Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) plays  a  crucial  role  in  preserving and  promoting  India's  cultural  heritage.  IGNCA  has  nine  regional  centers  in  Varanasi, Guwahati, Bengaluru, Ranchi, Vadodara, Goa, Thrissur, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir.
- (vi) Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) , including the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) established in June 1986, are dedicated to the promotion, preservation, and innovation of arts and crafts from the North East region, including its tribal areas.

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