Lok Sabha Question No. 1218 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-07
Subject: Contribution to UNESCO for Promotion of Culture
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: KIRIT PREMJIBHAI SOLANKI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1218 TO BE ANSWERED ON 7TH DECEMBER, 2015

## CONTRIBUTION TO UNESCO FOR PROMOTION OF CULTURE

## 1218. DR: KIRIT P. SONALKI, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- a) whether the Government contributes to the UNESCO for prornotion of cultural activities;
2. if so, the details of the contribution made by the Government to UNESCO for last three years and the current year;
- c) the extent to which the objectives of such contribution has been achieved during the said period; and
- d) the details of assistance provided by UNESCO in last three years and current year?

## ANSWER

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

## (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) & (b) Yes Madam: The Government of India, as a member state, makes its obligatory contribution to the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO} towards protection of the world cultural and natural heritage as well as safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage etc The details of the contribution made by the Ministry of Culture during the period 2012 to 2015 till date for its above said cultural activities are as under:

|   Year | Contribution (In Rupees_   |
|--------|----------------------------|
|   2012 | 19,61,438/_                |
|   2013 | 23,64,966/-                |
|   2014 | 29,43,594/                 |
|   2015 | 28,87,239                  |

(c) & (d) Though, the assessment of the objective of such contributions to the UNESCO is a subjective matter and it is not feasible to quantify its benefits as the mandate of the UNESCO include   protection safeguarding of  tangible and intangible cultural and natural heritage including protecting promoting diverse cultural traditions worldwide as well as spreading the recognition and importance of these cultural heritage, usage/ implementation of best techniques & practices of conservation & preservation development of   training materials/ modules, organising training sessions workshops etc

Moreover, as far as India is concerned, our engagement with UNESCO has helped in a variety of ways towards enhancing the visibility and importance of our rich cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, which has, inter-alia, added to tourist arrivals and revenue generation: India has also been elected as a member of its various organisations and bodies including Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (Also Vice-Chair for 2014-15), Subsidiary Committee to the UNESCO's 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and transfer of ownership of Cultural Property and World Heritage Committee: UNESCO's office in New Delhi also helps/ executes the activities that benefit the Government of India including States and various organisations

It may also be added that so far UNESCO has included our 32 Monuments/ Sites in its World Heritage List: Apart from that, UNESCO has also inscribed 11 elements from India in its Representative List on Humanity. Also, in the Memory of the World Programme of the UNESCO, seven elements from India have also been included so far. All these bring added visibility to India in the world.

As regards financial assistance from UNESCO, though UNESCO implements some schemes for providing limited grants to stakeholders on specific projects relating to cultural diversity, promotion of culture etc: but no such has been received to India during the last three years and the current under these schemes: grant year