The Government of India, through the Ministry of Culture and its autonomous bodies, has taken several initiatives across the domains of cultural heritage, arts, languages, festivals, and traditions of different regions and communities to promote and preserve the cultural diversity of the country.

The Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCC) of the Ministry of Culture are spread throughout the country. These ZCCs cater to the regional art, culture, and tradition of their corresponding zone.

The Ministry of Culture runs schemes, provides awards, grants, organizes events, and celebrates festivals to promote and preserve different cultures and traditions.

Some of the major schemes run by the Ministry are: Scheme of Financial Assistance for promotion of art and culture, Repertory Grant, Scheme of Scholarship and Fellowship for Promotion of Art, Museum Grants Scheme, and the Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Museums under the Ministry of Culture which also serve as a timeless cultural space, undertake thematic exhibitions, international collaborations, and representation through galleries and digitization efforts to ensure preservation of traditions and customs.

The Ministry through its autonomous bodies confers awards such as Sahitya Akademi Award, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Lalit Kala Akademi Award, Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar etc. The Translation Prize is presented to outstanding book(s) of literary merit published in 24 Indian languages by Sahitya Akademi. In order to expand its reach, Sahitya Akademi also provides Bhasha Samman, in languages other than the ones recognised by it.

The Government ensures inclusion of diverse voices and perspectives in cultural programmes, events through representation of experts, scholars, and practitioners from varied linguistic, regional and social backgrounds.

The Government of India through the Ministry of Tribal Affairs under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRI)” extends financial support to 29 Tribal Research Institutes in States / Union Territories based on Annual Action Plan submitted by states. Under the Scheme, proposals relating to infrastructural needs, research & documentation activities, organization of tribal festivals, and yatras for promotion of unique cultural heritage are preserved and disseminated.

The Government undertakes several measures to preserve the vanishing art forms, while addressing the issues through its schemes and festivals and training programmes conducted by Akademies, and Zonal Cultural Centres.

 

1. 1. Sahitya Akademi has established two centres at Agartala and Delhi for preservation and promotion of oral and tribal culture and literature
2. 2. Every year, Indian Museum, Kolkata observes Janajatiya Gaurav Diwas to honor different identities and fostering mutual respect.
3. 3. The Sangeet Natak Akademi has started training programmes in around 100 dying traditional, folk, and tribal performing art forms across the country under the Scheme Kala Deeksha.

This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

(Release ID: 2146402)