Lok Sabha Question No. 80 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-04
Subject: Initiatives to Support Cultural Industries
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Kani K. Navas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 80 ANSWERED ON 04.12.2023

## INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT CULTURAL INDUSTRIES

## 80. SHRI K. NAVASKANI:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government recognizes the importance of our culture and cultural industries as sources of socio-economic development, livelihood generation and wealth creation as well as the well being of individuals; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  initiatives  that  are  proposed  to  be  taken  by  the Government to support our cultural and creative industries keeping in mind that our cultural and creative industries also contribute to international trade through the export of our cultural products, services and experiences?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) Yes Sir, the Government fully recognizes the importance of our culture and  cultural industries as sources of socio-economic development,  livelihood generation and wealth creation as well as the well being of individuals. With this in view  and  to  promote,  protect  &  preserve  various  forms  of  folk  art  &  culture,  the Government of India has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) in the country with  headquarters at  Patiala  (Punjab),  Nagpur  (Maharashtra),  Udaipur  (Rajasthan), Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), Kolkata (West Bengal), Dimapur (Nagaland) and Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu). Annual grant-in-aid is provided to these ZCCs to organize cultural programmes/activities in their member States on a regular basis throughout the year. Artists from all over India are engaged by these ZCCs who showcase their talents during these programmes to give them opportunity to earn their livelihood. For well-being of the artists, they are paid honorarium, DA/TA, boarding & lodging and local transportation.

Besides,  to  provide  livelihood  to  these  artists  and  for  their  well-being,  the Ministry of Culture also organizes Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs (RSMs) in various parts of the country. Since 2015, the Ministry has organized 14 RSMs up till now and three  Zonal  Level  RSMs  at  Kota,  Pune  and  Delhi  during  2023  through  its  seven ZCCs.  In  addition  to  this,  these  ZCCs  also  organize  a  minimum  number  of  42 Regional Festivals every year which also help in providing livelihood to these artists. These ZCCs implement number of schemes viz. Award to Young Talented Artists, Guru  Shishya  Parampara,  Theatre  Rejuvenation,  Research  &  Documentation, Shilpgram,  OCTAVE  and  National  Cultural  Exchange  Programme  in  this  regard. These ZCCs under Ministry of Culture take number of initiatives to  support  India's cultural and  creative industries. Activities like workshops,  camps,  exhibitions, conferences and seminars aimed at raising awareness of the importance of cultural and  creative  industries  are  organized  by  these  ZCCs  where  exchange  of  ideas, knowledge,  practices  and  work  methodologies  take  place  between  participants, experts  and  professionals  from  several  fields  relating  to  the  cultural  and  creative industries. Artists from nook and corner of the country participate in the programmes of ZCCs and try to adapt themselves to the different culture, costume and customs of other  artists.  It  helps  them  to  shape  their  values,  beliefs  and  behaviors  as  well  as their  artistic  and  intellectual  achievements.  During  the  programmes  organized  by these ZCCs, stalls are set up by the artisans from various parts of India who exhibit their  products  at  the  venue  to  let  the  visitors  know  about  the  services  and  their experiences.

The  Office  of  Development  Commissioner  (Handicrafts)  under  Ministry  of Textiles,  Govt.  of  India  implements  National  Handicrafts  Development  Programme (NHDP) and Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) for development,  promotion,  &  preservation  of  handicrafts  in  a  holistic  manner  and  to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to the artisans. The NHDP has following components:

1.   Marketing Support & Services
2.   Skill Development in Handicrafts Sector
3.   Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana
4.   Direct Benefit to Artisans
5.   Infrastructure and Technology Support
6.   Research and Development