The Governor of West Bengal Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar in the presence of Minister of State (I/C) for Culture and Tourism, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel will inaugurate the 11^th Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav on 14^th February, 2021 at Cooch Behar Palace at Cooch Behar in West Bengal.

The Ministry of Culture is mandated with the task of preservation, promotion and propagation of Indian Culture, both tangible and intangible which inter-alia includes traditional folk dances and art forms, performing arts and rich tribal heritage. It organizes cultural programs, festivals and theatrical performances to fulfill this mandate.

Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav, the flagship festival of this Ministry organized since 2015 with the active participation of Seven Zonal Culture Centres has been playing a pivotal role to take the vibrant culture of India out to the masses instead of confining to auditoria and galleries. It has been instrumental in showcasing, folk and tribal art, dance, music, cuisines & culture of one state in other states reinforcing the cherished goal of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” and at the same time providing an effective platform to the artists and artisans to support their livelihood. Ten editions of RSM have been held till date since November, 2015 in various states and cities such as Delhi, Varanasi, Bengaluru, Tawang, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tehri and Madhya Pradesh.

The eleventh edition of Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav is being held between 14^th to 28^th February, 2021 in West Bengal at Cooch Behar (14^th to 16^th February, 2021), Darjeeling (22^nd to 24^th February, 2021) and Murshidabad (27^th to 28^th February, 2021).

This RSM assumes more significance as it is taking place as we are emerging out of the COVID Pandemic which has severely impacted the cultural sector. Through this event the ministry  endeavours to provide the much-needed support and assistance to the artists as well as the confidence that cultural functions can be now organized taking into account all necessary precautions.

Renowned artists including local artists will be a part of this major festival. The Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav-2021 will cover a profusion of folk art forms and it would offer the chance to experience the best in established and emerging virtuosity. The RSM will reconnect the people, especially the youth, with their indigenous culture, its multi-faceted nature, magnificence, opulence and historical importance in the context of India as a Nation over the millennia.

This RSM which is being organized in West Bengal will enhance mutual understanding and bonding between people of diverse cultures, thereby securing stronger unity and integrity of India.

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NB/SK