Lok Sabha Question No. 90 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: ICCR
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO

- 90.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.90 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.02.2016

## ICCR

- SHRI RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  functions  of  the  Indian  Council  for  Cultural  Relations (ICCR);
- (b) the initiatives taken to improve cultural relations with neighbouring  countries  during  the  last  three  years,  countrywise; and
- the  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  to  encourage  cultural
- (c) programmes among these countries?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) Objective of ICCR is establishing, reviving and strengthening cultural relations and mutual understanding between India and other countries. Its functions include:
-  Administering  of  scholarship  schemes  for  overseas;  Grant  of scholarships  to  foreign  students  to  learn  Indian  dance  and music, Exchange of Exhibitions,
-  Organizing  of  and  participation  in  international  conferences and seminars,
-  Participating  in  major  cultural  festivals  abroad,  Organizing 'Festivals of India' abroad; Exchange of groups of performing artistes,
-  Maintain Distinguished Visitors Programme, under which eminent  personalities  from  abroad  are  invited  to  India  and Indian experts are sent abroad to deliver lectures on issues of mutual interest,
-  Establish and maintain Chairs for Indian Studies in Universities abroad;
-  Maintenance of Indian Cultural Centres abroad,
-  Maintenance of a well-stocked library and the old Manuscripts; Awarding of Library Fellowships, Digitization of rare manuscripts,
-  Presentation  of  books,  audio-visual  material,  art  objects  and musical instruments to institutions abroad, and
-  Execute MEA's projects and administer scholarships of behalf of MEA and Ministry of Ayush.

(b) Several initiatives have been taken to improve cultural relations  with  neighbouring  countries  during  the  last  three  years. ICCR  has  its  Culture  Centres  active  in  Afghanistan,  Bangladesh, Bhutan,  China,  Myanmar,  Nepal  and  Sri  Lanka  through  which  it executes cultural  activities  with  these  countries.  India  has  signed Cultural  Exchange  Programmes  (CEPs)  with  Bangladesh,  China. Maldives and Myanmar. Under the CEPs both the countries have to jointly share the cost for activities related to culture promotion. In case  of  the  neighbouring  countries,  ICCR  has  extended  additional assistance  in  terms  of  providing  local  hospitality  for  outgoing cultural groups to these countries. Country-wise activities undertaken in last three years are annexed.

(c) The Indian Council for Cultural Relations endeavours to focus more  on  the  neighbouring  countries  by  way  of  enhancing  its activities. More academic interactions with the prominent academic institutions and renowned scholars are proposed to be organized in the  coming  years.  Special  focus  would  be  given  to  neighbouring countries during the celebration of International Day of Yoga 2016 and  through  programmes  such  as  artists  in  residence  and  SAARC literature festival etc., subject to availability of funds.

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## ANNEXURE

| Name of Country   | Activities with neighbouring country   | Year 2013-14                                                                                                                                      | Year 2014-15                                                                                                                                      | Year 2015-16                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|-------------------|----------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Afghanistan       | Scholarship slots offered              | 1000                                                                                                                                              | 1000                                                                                                                                              | 1000                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|                   | Incoming Cultural Delegations          | One group visited India                                                                                                                           | Three groups visited India                                                                                                                        | One group visited India                                                                                                                                                                           |
|                   | Yoga related activities                |                                                                                                                                                   |                                                                                                                                                   | International Day of Yoga 2015 was celebrated.                                                                                                                                                    |
| Bangladesh        | Scholarship slots offered              | 232                                                                                                                                               | 232                                                                                                                                               | 232                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|                   | Incoming Cultural Delegations          | Three groups visited India                                                                                                                        | Three groups visited India                                                                                                                        | One group visited India                                                                                                                                                                           |
|                   | Exhibitions                            | One Exhibition display in Bhutan                                                                                                                  | Nil                                                                                                                                               | Nil                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|                   | Chairs abroad                          | Two                                                                                                                                               | Two                                                                                                                                               | Two                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|                   | Indian Culture Centre                  | Continued regular teaching and other cultural activities in the field of Indian Music, Dance and Yoga by the Centre which was established in 2010 | Continued regular teaching and other cultural activities in the field of Indian Music, Dance and Yoga by the Centre which was established in 2010 | Continued regular teaching and other cultural activities in the field of Indian Music, Dance and Yoga by the Centre which was established in 2010. Celebration of International Day of Yoga 2015. |
|                   | Conferences & Seminars                 | One Conference organized in India                                                                                                                 | Nil                                                                                                                                               | Nil                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|                   | Outgoing Cultural Delegations          | Nil                                                                                                                                               | Send Two groups for performance                                                                                                                   |                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| Bhutan            | Scholarships                           | 20                                                                                                                                                | 25                                                                                                                                                | 20                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| Bhutan            | Incoming Cultural Delegations          | One group visited India                                                                                                                           | Three groups visited India                                                                                                                        | One group visited India                                                                                                                                                                           |
| Bhutan            | Exhibitions                            | One Exhibition display in Bhutan                                                                                                                  | One Exhibition display in Bhutan                                                                                                                  | Nil                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| Bhutan            | Distinguished Visitors Programme       | Two groups of Distinguished Visitor visited India                                                                                                 | Nil                                                                                                                                               | One group of Distinguished Visitor visited India                                                                                                                                                  |
| Bhutan            | Indian Culture Centre                  | Continued regular teaching and other cultural activities in the field of Indian Music, Dance and Yoga by the Centre which was established in 2010 | Continued regular teaching and other cultural activities in the field of Indian Music, Dance and Yoga by the Centre which was established in 2010 | Continued regular teaching and other cultural activities in the field of Indian Music, Dance and Yoga by the Centre which was established in 2010. Celebration of International Day of Yoga 2015. |
| Bhutan            | Conferences & Seminars                 | One Bhutan Festival organized in India                                                                                                            | Nil                                                                                                                                               | Two Bhutan Festival organized in India                                                                                                                                                            |
| Bhutan            | Outgoing Cultural Delegations          | Send One group for performance                                                                                                                    | Send Six groups for performance                                                                                                                   |                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|                   | Incoming Cultural Delegations          | One group visited India                                                                                                                           | Nil                                                                                                                                               | Two groups visited India                                                                                                                                                                          |
| China             | Exhibitions                            | One Exhibition organized in India                                                                                                                 | One Exhibition organized in India                                                                                                                 | One Exhibition display in China                                                                                                                                                                   |
| China             | Chairs abroad                          | Two                                                                                                                                               | Five                                                                                                                                              | Four                                                                                                                                                                                              |

|          | Indian Culture Centre.               | Continued regular teaching and other cultural activities in the field of Indian Music, Dance and Yoga by the Centre which was established in 2008   | Continued regular teaching and other cultural activities in the field of Indian Music, Dance and Yoga by the Centre which was established in 2010                       | Continued regular teaching and other cultural activities in the field of Indian Music, Dance and Yoga by the Centre which was established in 2010. Collaborated with Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming, China to established India- China Yoga College and deputed two Assistant Professors of Yoga at the College. Celebration of International Day of Yoga 2015.   |
|----------|--------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|          | Conferences & Seminars               | Two visitors sponsored to attend Conferences in China                                                                                               | Nil                                                                                                                                                                     | One visitor sponsored to attend Conferences in India                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| Maldives | Scholarship slots offer per annum    | 37                                                                                                                                                  | 37                                                                                                                                                                      | 37                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|          | Incoming Cultural Delegations        | One group visited India                                                                                                                             | One group visited India                                                                                                                                                 | One group visited India                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|          | Exhibitions                          | Nil                                                                                                                                                 | One Exhibition                                                                                                                                                          | Nil                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|          | Indian Culture Centre.               | Continued regular teaching and other cultural activities in the field of Indian Music, Dance and Yoga by the Centre which was established in 2011.  | displayed in Maldives Continued regular teaching and other cultural activities in the field of Indian Music, Dance and Yoga by the Centre which was established in 2010 | Continued regular teaching and other cultural activities in the field of Indian Music, Dance and Yoga by the Centre which was established in 2010. Celebration of International Day of Yoga 2015.                                                                                                                                                                   |
|          | Outgoing Cultural Delegations        | Send One group for performance                                                                                                                      | Send One group for performance                                                                                                                                          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| Myanmar  | Scholarship slots offered per annum. | 16                                                                                                                                                  | 16                                                                                                                                                                      | 16                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| Myanmar  | Indian Culture Centre                | Continued regular teaching and other cultural activities in the field of Indian Music, Dance and Yoga by the Centre which was established in 2010   | Continued regular teaching and other cultural activities in the field of Indian Music, Dance and Yoga by the Centre which was established in 2010                       | Continued regular teaching and other cultural activities in the field of Indian Music, Dance and Yoga by the Centre which was established in 2010. Celebration of International Day of Yoga 2015.                                                                                                                                                                   |
| Nepal    | Scholarships                         | 124 scholarship slots offered                                                                                                                       | 139 scholarship slots offered                                                                                                                                           | 135 scholarship slots offered                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Nepal    | Incoming Cultural Delegations        | One group visited India                                                                                                                             | Two groups visited India                                                                                                                                                | Nil                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| Nepal    | Exhibitions                          | Nil                                                                                                                                                 | One Exhibition display in Nepal                                                                                                                                         | Nil                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |

|           | Distinguished Visitors Programme   | Nil                                                                                                                                               | Nil                                                                                                                                               | One group of Distinguished Visitor visited India                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|-----------|------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|           | Chairs abroad                      | One                                                                                                                                               | Two                                                                                                                                               | Nil                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|           | Indian Culture Centre              | Continued regular teaching and other cultural activities in the field of Indian Music, Dance and Yoga by the Centre which was established in 2007 | Continued regular teaching and other cultural activities in the field of Indian Music, Dance and Yoga by the Centre which was established in 2010 | Continued regular teaching and other cultural activities in the field of Indian Music, Dance and Yoga by the Centre which was established in 2010. Deputed Yoga Teacher at Indian Consulate in Birgunj, Nepal. Celebration of International Day of Yoga 2015. |
|           | Conferences & Seminars             | Nil                                                                                                                                               | Nil                                                                                                                                               | Council awarded a fellowship                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|           | Outgoing Cultural Delegations      | Send Two groups for performance                                                                                                                   | Send Five groups for performance                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| Pakistan  | Incoming Cultural Delegations      | One group visited India                                                                                                                           | Three groups visited India                                                                                                                        | Nil                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| Pakistan  | Exhibitions                        | One Exhibition organized in India                                                                                                                 | Nil                                                                                                                                               | Nil                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| Sri Lanka | Scholarships                       | 168 scholarship slots offered                                                                                                                     | 161 scholarship slots offered                                                                                                                     | 154 scholarship slots offered                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| Sri Lanka | Incoming Cultural Delegations      | One group visited India                                                                                                                           | Two groups visited India                                                                                                                          | One group visited India                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Sri Lanka | Chairs abroad                      | Two                                                                                                                                               | Two                                                                                                                                               | Three                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| Sri Lanka | Indian Culture Centre              | Continued regular teaching and other cultural activities in the field of Indian Music, Dance and Yoga by the Centre which was established in 1988 | Continued regular teaching and other cultural activities in the field of Indian Music, Dance and Yoga by the Centre which was established in 2010 | Continued regular teaching and other cultural activities in the field of Indian Music, Dance and Yoga by the Centre which was established in 2010. Celebration of International Day of Yoga 2015.                                                             |
| Sri Lanka | Conferences & Seminars             | Sponsored one visit to participate in Regional Seminar                                                                                            | Nil                                                                                                                                               | Sponsored one visit to participate in International Seminar                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| Sri Lanka | Outgoing Cultural Delegations      | Send One group for performance                                                                                                                    | Send Two groups for performance                                                                                                                   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |

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