Lok Sabha Question No. 2341 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-01
Subject: Project Mausam
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2341 TO BE ANSWERED ON 1.8.2016 SHRAVANA 10, 1938 (SAKA)

## PROJECT MAUSAM

## 2341. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the progress of  Project Mausam specifically, the work towards the nomination of Maritime  Cultural  Routes,  the  creation  of  a  comprehensive  database  with  a UNESCO web platform on Maritime Cultural Landscapes and Routes and linking UNESCO cultural conventions with the World Heritage convention;
- (b) the details thereof;
- (c) the  work done with regard to the increased research and understanding of the importance of the State of Kerala  as a timeless  and  vital  component of  Indian Ocean trade; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE, CULTURE AND TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) Project Mausam, an initiative of the Government of India, is a concept that aims
- to to  deal  with  the  notion  of  monsoon  winds  that  has  led  to  develop  trade  and
- (d) cultural contact amongst countries along the Indian Ocean Rim (List of countries is at Annexure I). The Government is mandated with the task of collecting the data and research inputs and to develop implementation strategy in collaboration with various identified state parties for Project Mausam. A series of workshops,  including  one  at  Kochi,  Kerela  and  an  exhibition  have  been organised  in  this  regard.  The  research  so  far  outlines  importance  of  various Indian States, including Kerala that established vital trade and cultural links with other countries along the Indian Ocean Rim.

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) and (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2341 FOR 01.08.2016.

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                       |