Lok Sabha Question No. 1374 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-11
Subject: Funds used for Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Sunil Baburao Mendhe, Rajendra Dhedya  Gavit, Anil Firojiya, Gajendra Singh Patel, Ranjeetsingh Naik Nimbalkar, Ravindra Kushawaha, Ravi Kishan Shukla, Umesh G. Jadhav, Sanjay Bhatia, L.S. Tejasvi Surya, Basanta Kumar Panda, Prathap Simha, Jayant Sinha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1374

ANSWERED ON 11.12.2023

## FUNDS USED FOR AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV

## 1374. SHRI SUNIL BABURAO MENDHE:

SHRI RAJENDRA DHEDYA GAVIT:

SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA:

SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH PATEL:

SHRI RANJEETSINGH NAIK NIMBALKAR:

SHRI RAVINDRA KUSHWAHA:

SHRI RAVI KISHAN:

DR.  UMESH G. JADHAV:

SHRI SANJAY BHATIA:

SHRI L.S. TEJASVI SURYA:

SHRI BASANTA KUMAR PANDA:

SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA:

SHRI JAYANT SINHA:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the aim and objectives of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) programme, along with the list of events held, State-wise;
- (b) the detailed account  of  events held as a part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM), State-wise;
- (c) the details of the funds utilised for these  events, State-wise; and
- (d) the specific action taken by the Government to honour freedom fighters and the manner in which they have been honoured?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, an initiative spearheaded by the Government of India, marks the commemoration of 75 years since the nation attained independence.

It  was  the  idea  to  celebrate  unsung  heroes  from  across  the  country  from  which  the germination of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav took place. Multiple dates were pondered over  to  flag  off  this  historic  celebration,  a  countdown  to  India's  Independence's diamond jubilee. The date 12th March was finalized as it commemorated Mahatma Gandhi's historic Dandi Yatra march of 1930, which protested British monopoly on manufacturing and selling of salt.

The  75-week  countdown  to  August  15,  2023,  not  only  commemorated  75  years  of independence  but  also  the  glorious  history  and  unique  diversity  of  the  country's people, culture, and languages. This Mahotsav was celebrated as a Jan Utsav in the spirit of Jan Bhagidari. The Hon'ble Prime Minister not only started off a 75-weeklong Festival but also flagged off a metaphorical 386 Km Dandi March to celebrate the 91st Anniversary of the historic Salt March.

The  objective  behind  celebrating  Azadi  Ka  Amrit  Mahotsav  was  not  only  to  bring people and communities together for the celebration of world's largest democracy, but also  to  pave  way  towards  India  of  the  future,  i.e.,  India  @2047.  The  aim  was  to prepare  the  future  generations  for  spearheading  global  change  with  India's  holistic leadership. To do so, a national committee was constituted which featured some of the most prominent names of India like the then President of India, Chief Justice of India, renowned singer Late Lata Mangeshkar ji, Nobel Laureate Late Amartya Sen, all state Chief ministers, multiple governors, and multiple Central Government ministers.

Initially  the  celebration  featured  five  themes,  including  honouring  freedom fighters, inspiring future ideas, and ideals, setting goals for 2047, promoting efforts to position India globally, and showcasing the nation's achievements since independence. These themes were titled as:

1. Freedom Struggle
2. Ideas@75
3. Resolve@75
4. Actions@75
5. Achievements@75

In its second phase Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav promoted 9 themes including:

1. Women and Children
2. Water
3. Unity
4. Inclusive Development
5. Cultural Pride
6. Health and Wellness
7. Aatmnirbhar Bharat
8. LiFE
9. Tribal Empowerment

It  emphasized  unity  and  citizen  participation,  encouraging  the  public  to  hoist  the national  flag  in  their  homes  and  instilling  a  sense  of  love,  pride,  and  responsibility towards the nation. This 75-week celebration aimed to foster a deeper understanding of India's history, heritage, and the contributions of its people while inspiring a shared vision for the nation's future.

Under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) more than 2.00 lakh events/ programmes have been  organised  in  last  two  years.  The  entire  country  has  participated  in  these events. Out of 2.0 lakhs events, about 1.9 lakh events held in Ministries/Deptts/States/UTs have been published on the website. State-wise details of events published on website are annexed.

There was no separate budget under AKAM. Hence, all Ministries/Departments, State Governments,  UTs  and  their  Attached/Subordinate/Autonomous  Bodies,  PSUs  etc. incur the expenditure on the events organised by them from their respective budget heads.

(d)A Digital District Repository has been compiled to discover and document stories of people, events, and places linked to the freedom struggle of India at the micro level of the district. As on date, about 14500 stories have been compiled and uploaded on the  portal.  These  stories  are  broadly  classified  under  the  heading  -  People  & Personalities, Events & Happenings, Hidden treasures -Built & Natural Heritage, and Living Traditions & Art Forms.

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