Lok Sabha Question No. 122 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-25
Subject: Project Mausam
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: KALIKESH NARAYAN SINGH DEO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 122 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.4.2016 VAISAKHA 5, 1938 (SAKA)

## PROJECT MAUSAM

## 122. SHRI KALIKESH N. SINGH DEO:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  objectives  and  detailed  outline  of  Project  Mausam  with  its  expected  time  of commencement and completion along with the cost of the project;
- (b)  whether the Government has entered into partnerships with other nations and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c)  the steps taken by the Government to expand its maritime presence?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE, CULTURE AND TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) AND MINISTER OF STATE, CIVIL AVIATION

## (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a)  Project  'Mausam'  is  the  initiative  of  Ministry  of  Culture  to  be  implemented  by  the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as the nodal agency with research support of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and National Museum as associate bodies. This project aims to explore the multi-faceted Indian Ocean 'world' - collating archaeological and historical research in order  to  document the  diversity of  cultural, commercial  and  religious  interactions  in  the  Indian  Ocean  -  extending  from  East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian Subcontinent and Sri Lanka to the Southeast Asian archipelago. It also aims to promote research on themes related to the study of Maritime  Routes  through  international  scientific  seminars  and  meetings  and  by adopting a multidisciplinary approach.  It aims  to encourage  the  production  of specialized  works,  as  well  as  publications  for  the  general  public  with  an  attempt  at promoting a broader understanding of the concept of a common heritage and multiple identities.  An  objective  of  the  project  is  to  prepare  a  dossier  for  trans-national nomination  as  World  Heritage.  The  time  of  commencement  and  completion  of  the Project Mausam as per SFC Memorandum is April 2015 and March 2017 respectively. Total cost of the project as per SFC approval is Rs. 150, 244, 502/-.
- (b)  The  Government  has  identified  39  countries  (list  given  in  Annexure-I)  to  bring  on board for  trans-national  nomination  for  World  Heritage  but  still  has  not  entered  into partnerships. There are no specific reasons for not entering into partnerships as such
- initiatives  depend on various discussions and approvals from the country concerned once they are approached.
- (c)  A joint Sail Voyage by Indian Navy Sail Training Ship Tarangini and Royal Navy of Oman Sail Training Ship Shabab Oman was conducted from 24 November to 03 December 2015 to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relationship between Oman and India and as an event under 'Project Mausam'.

## ANNEXURE-I

## ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 122 FOR 25.4.2016.

List of 39 Indian Ocean countries identified under Project Mausam:

|   1 | Bahrain                     |
|-----|-----------------------------|
|   2 | Bangladesh                  |
|   3 | Cambodia                    |
|   4 | China                       |
|   5 | Comoros                     |
|   6 | Egypt                       |
|   7 | Eritrea                     |
|   8 | Réunion, French Department  |
|   9 | Indonesia                   |
|  10 | Iraq                        |
|  11 | Iran (Islamic Republic)     |
|  12 | Jordan                      |
|  13 | Kuwait                      |
|  14 | Kenya                       |
|  15 | Lebanon                     |
|  16 | Madagascar                  |
|  17 | Malaysia                    |
|  18 | Maldives                    |
|  19 | Mauritius                   |
|  20 | Mozambique                  |
|  21 | Myanmar                     |
|  22 | Oman                        |
|  23 | Pakistan                    |
|  24 | Philippines                 |
|  25 | Qatar                       |
|  26 | Singapore                   |
|  27 | Sri Lanka                   |
|  28 | Saudi Arabia                |
|  29 | Seychelles                  |
|  30 | Somalia                     |
|  31 | South Africa                |
|  32 | Sudan                       |
|  33 | Syrian Arab Republic        |
|  34 | United Republic of Tanzania |
|  35 | Thailand                    |
|  36 | Turkey                      |
|  37 | United Arab Emirates        |
|  38 | Viet Nam                    |
|  39 | Yemen                       |