Lok Sabha Question No. 1753 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-10
Subject: Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Vishnu Dayal Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1753

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2025

## AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV

## 1753 SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  key  outcomes  and  impact  of  the  Azadi  Ka  Amrit  Mahotsav  (AKAM)  programmes  in promoting India's cultural heritage and freedom struggle;
- (b) the  number  of  participants  and  the  geographical  reach  of  the  AKAM  initiatives  across  the country; and
- (c) whether any specific efforts are being made under AKAM to engage youth and educational institutions and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) Cultural  Pride  was  a theme  under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) celebrations. Different programmes and campaigns were undertaken under the theme of Cultural Pride.

The programme Qila Aur Kahaniya, Wonder Caves i.e. programmes at forts and caves led  to  engagement  with  history  of  fort  and  caves,  specially  on  the  spot  activities  and competitions saw participation of school children apart from tourists. A series of programmes under  Kalanjali  at  Central  Vista  ensured  free  access  to  high  quality  programmes  giving exposure  and  engagement  with  art  and  culture  and  content  related  to  freedom  struggle. Another  event  'Unmesha'  the  Indian  Language  Literature  Fest  led  to  celebration  and strengthening  connection  with  more  than  100  languages  and  more  than  500  authors.    The event 'Utkarsh' brought thousands of artists under one roof to celebrate Tribal Culture.

The programme  'SanskritaSamunvesha' ensured the spotlight on the Sanskrit language.  In  collaboration  with  content  creators,  Prabhat  pheries  added  outreach.    Art,

Architecture & Design Biennale put a marquee event of the global festival/event calendar. Festival  of  Library  brought  people  one  and  all  close  to  books  which  are  the  fountain  of knowledge  from  ancient  times.  International  Museum  Expo  with  participation  of  different State  and  Centrally  supported  museums  and  international  organizations  gave  people  an opportunity to explore our heritage via objects and artefacts.

Azadi  ka Amrit  Mahotsav  celebrated  the  rich  legacy  and  history  of  Indian  Culture. Achievements and contribution of ancient India to the World found center stage through the Digital Helpline for Ayurveda Research Articles [DHARA] series of events by Ministry of Culture  during  AKAM:  It  covered  topics  such  as:  Vedic  Mathematics,  Indian  Calendar System, Indian Astrophysics and Cosmology, Indian Knowledge System Mela, Ayurveda in India, Ayudhana Kala (Martial Arts), Samudramanthan: Ancient Maritime History (Announcement of Stitched Ship), Sangeet &Natya Parampara, Rasayanashastra -Metallurgy.

Amrit Mahotsav united one and all through many programmes such as 'Festival of Unity, Visits to Border Villages, Telangana Formation Day, Vitasta - Celebrating the best of Kashmir,  Kashi  Tamil  Sangamam,  Saurashtra  Tamil  Sangamam,  Madhavpur  Mela'  etc. Global Spirituality Mahotsav brought people closer to the spiritual ancestry of Bharat.

Amrit Mahotsav spotlighted unsung heroes of freedom struggle. Under this programme  digital  documentation  of  more  than  10000  unsung  heroes  completed.  Digital District Repository (DDR) took shape to celebrate local history of more than 18000 freedom fighters.  Ministry  of  Culture  supported  series  of  programmes  -  Kranti  Teerth  dedicated  to freedom fighters. 15, November is declared as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas which focus on Tribal Freedom Fighters - Birsa Munda, Tirot Singh, Matmur Jamoh and others.

AKAM events highlighted the role of States in our independence movement and in building the India story. Indicative examples are 100 years of Chauri Chaura (Uttar Pradesh), Hyderabad  Liberation  Day  (Telangana),  Amrutha  BharathigeKannadadharathi  (Karnataka) and many more.

Under AKAM special initiatives taken to reach younger audiences with narratives of freedom struggle. Special editions of Amar Chitra Katha on tribal freedom fighters, women in

Constituent  Assembly,  Unsung  Heroes  etc.  Swatantrata  Swar  spotlighting  revolutionary poetry, banned literature etc. Zara Yaad Karo Qurbani and other podcast focused on freedom struggle centred stories  are some of the initiatives under AKAM  to reach younger audiences.

The Swadeshi Scientists programme was an effort under AKAM to highlight the role of  scientists  in  the  freedom  struggle  and  highlights  the  efforts  towards  technological ' atmanirbharta '. Further programmes also included focus on Intellectual Property Rights etc.

(b) Many  programme  and  brand  names  created  during AKAM.  Brand AKAM  and  it's logo  are  easily  recognizable  digital  asset.   AKAM  is  one  of  the  longest  commemorations anywhere in  the  world.  Its  duration  is    2  years  7  months  and  19  days.  More  than  2  Lakh events were done across India and abroad (more than 150 countries) during the period. The events were curated by Central/State Ministries/Departments, Government/private organisations, corporates, NGOs, Schools/Colleges, etc.

Meri  Maati  Mera  Desh,  Unity  in  Creativity  competition  and  Har  Ghar  Tiranga  are some  mass  programmes  conducted  under AKAM.  Meri  Maati  Mera  Desh  campaign  saw widespread participation in two phases. More than 6 lakh villages were  covered under the programme. Participation spread over 766 Districts, more than 7000 Blocks in 36 States and Union Territories and 55 Ministries and Departments.The final event at Kartavya Path on 31 st October, 2023 was attended by more than two lakh people from across the country. More than 2,33,000  Shilaphalakams  were  dedicated  to  Veers. VeeronKa  Vandan happened  at  2,18,856 places.More  than  4  crore  number  of  Panch  Pran  pledges  taken.    More  than  2.36  crore indigenous  saplings  have  been  planted    and  2.63  lakh  Amrit  Vatikas  created  under  the Vasudha Vandan theme across the country.

Three all  India competitions were held under Unity in Creativity competition under AKAM, viz:  (i) Deshbhaktigeet writing; (ii)  Lori writing; and (iii) Rangoli making. This competition got a phenomenal response from all over the country with entries coming in from more than 700 districts for each competition.  Deshbhaktigeet writing competition saw more than 2 lakh entries from across India. Lori writing saw more than 80000 entries and Rangoli making competition saw more than 2.34 lakh entries.

Har  Ghar  Tiranga  became  a  national  phenomenon  which  saw  more  than  20  crore people upload their selfies with Tiranga during the last three  years.  In 2022, more than 23 crore households participated in Har Ghar Tiranga. Multiple Guinness World Records were created during Har Ghar Tirangaprogramme.

(c) AKAM was designed from the start to ensure participation of youth and educational institutions. Various competitions such as essay, quiz, debate fancy dress, patriotic singing, rangoli making etc.  were organised to ensure participation of the young people. Exhibitions, skits, wall paintings etc were created for display/replication in school and college premises. Outreach activities for mega activities such as Har Ghar Tiranga envisaged an important role for students in imbibing and spreading the message of bringing home the Tiranga.

Young India voiced their opinions in many programmes of AKAM and promised to step up and work towards nation building. The following are some of the programmes with mass  participation of young  India:  Postcards  to  Prime  Minister  (more  than  1  crore approximately);  National Youth Festival; Veer Gatha Project; Student trips under Ek Bharat Shrestha  Bharat;  Veer  Baal  Diwas;  Har  Ghar  Tiranga  events/marches  organised  across schools and colleges; Meri Maati Mera Desh programmes in schools and colleges - NYKS (MyBharat).

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