Lok Sabha Question No. 109 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-21
Subject: Promotion and Preservation of Cultural Diversity
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Naveen Jindal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NUMBER 109

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025

## PROMOTION AND PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY

## 109. SHRI NAVEEN JINDAL:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  initiatives  taken  to  promote  and  preserve  the  cultural  diversity  of  the country including the languages, traditions and customs of different regions and communities;
- (b) the  manner  in  which  the  Government  ensures  the  inclusion  of  diverse  voices  and perspectives in cultural policies and programme;
- (c) whether the Government has any specific programmes or initiatives targeted at marginalised communities  and  indigenous  populations  to  support  their  cultural  practices  and  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (d) the  details  of  the  measures  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  address  the  issue  of discrimination and prejudice based on cultural identity?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE & TOURISM

## (GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) The Government of India, through the Ministry of Culture and its autonomous bodies, has taken several  initiatives  across  the  domains  of  cultural  heritage,  arts,  languages,  festivals, and  traditions  of  different  regions  and  communities  to  promote  and  preserve  the  cultural diversity of the country.

The  Zonal  Cultural  Centres  (ZCC)  of  the  Ministry  of  Culture  are  spread  throughout  the country. These ZCCs cater to the regional art, culture, and tradition of their corresponding zone.

The  Ministry  of  Culture  runs  schemes,  provides  awards,  grants,  organizes  events,  and celebrates festivals to promote and preserve different cultures and traditions.

Some of the major schemes  run by the  Ministry are:  Scheme of  Financial  Assistance  for promotion of art and culture, Repertory Grant, Scheme of Scholarship and Fellowship for Promotion of Art, Museum Grants Scheme, and the Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Museums under the Ministry of Culture which also serve as a timeless cultural space, undertake  thematic  exhibitions,  international  collaborations,  and  representation  through galleries and digitization efforts to ensure preservation of traditions and customs.

The  Ministry  through  its  autonomous  bodies  confers  awards  such  as  Sahitya  Akademi Award, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Lalit Kala Akademi Award, Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva  Puraskar  etc.  The  Translation  Prize  is  presented  to  outstanding  book(s)  of  literary merit published in 24 Indian languages by Sahitya Akademi. In order to expand its reach, Sahitya  Akademi  also  provides  Bhasha  Samman,  in  languages  other  than  the  ones recognised by it.

- (b) The Government ensures inclusion of diverse voices and perspectives in cultural programmes,  events  through  representation  of  experts,  scholars,  and  practitioners  from varied linguistic, regional and social backgrounds.
- (c) The  Government  of  India  through  the  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  under  the  Centrally Sponsored Scheme 'Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRI)' extends financial support to 29 Tribal Research Institutes in States / Union Territories based on Annual Action Plan submitted by states. Under the Scheme, proposals relating to infrastructural needs, research &  documentation  activities,  organization  of  tribal  festivals,  and  yatras  for  promotion  of unique cultural heritage are preserved and disseminated.
- (d) The  Government  undertakes  several  measures  to  preserve  the  vanishing  art  forms,  while addressing the issues through its schemes and festivals and training programmes conducted by Akademies, and Zonal Cultural Centres.
- a. Sahitya Akademi has established two centres at Agartala and Delhi for preservation and promotion of oral and tribal culture and literature
- b. Every  year,  Indian  Museum,  Kolkata  observes  Janajatiya  Gaurav  Diwas  to  honor different identities and fostering mutual respect.
- c. The  Sangeet  Natak  Akademi  has  started  training  programmes  in  around  100  dying traditional, folk, and tribal performing art forms across the country under the Scheme Kala Deeksha.

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