Following is the text of Statement of Secretary, Ministry of Culture Shri Ravindra Singh, at the Senior Officers Meeting on 24 September, 2014 on the occasion of 3rd meeting of the SAARC Culture Ministers:
I extend a warm welcome to all delegates at the Senior Officers Meeting, to my fellow Culture Secretaries and members of SAARC Secretariat, to everyone gathered here at the 3rd meeting of the SAARC Culture Ministers.
SAARC is a natural outcome of the shared cultural heritage of its members. In fact, I would say that it is perhaps the most natural of all similar international groupings worldwide. The overlaps in every single area that can be classified under culture from oral narratives to painting techniques, from literary worlds to music and dance, from archives and libraries to museums is fascinating to observe. We share centuries of common cultural heritage, common history, deep civilizational convergences manifest in many of the dance and other art forms. And yet, in spite of the overlaps, every country has also evolved distinct styles that can continue to facilitate genuine cultural interchange. Closer cultural ties assume greater significance now than ever before since they can prove very valuable in understanding contemporary trends within our societies and equip us better to deal with the challenges therein.
The responsibility that has been given to us is two-fold:
1. Formulation of the Delhi Declaration by the SAARC Ministers of Culture;
2. Revising the SAARC Agenda for Culture
The 2006 Agenda for SAARC Culture was comprehensive in its breadth and description. The establishment of the SAARC Culture Centre was a significant positive step. The SAARC Culture Centre is the pre-eminent institution in the region for dissemination of SAARC culture. In this meeting, I would propose further empowerment of the SAARC Culture Centre for formulation of the SAARC Culture Heritage lists, transnational nominations for world heritage sites and preservation of historical monuments. I would also like to empower the SAARC Culture Centre as a resource institution for Project Mausam to conduct research workshops for countries in the Indian Ocean rim which have developed common maritime cultural linkages with each other.
The furtherance of the SAARC agenda for culture has been proposed in the agenda notes, which India supports whole-heartedly. The major activities envisaged in the agenda, including the strengthening of cultural institutions in member countries, cultural festivals in the region, preservation and conservation practices and promoting literacy and reading habits are all commendable initiatives. India is willing to commit itself to instituting a technical assistance programme for strengthening SAARC cultural institutions through the Archaeological Survey of India, National Archives of India, the National Museum and the National Gallery of Modern Art. We would also seek to promote greater collaboration between our cultural institutions for performing arts, literature, and visual arts, namely the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the Sahitya Akademi and the Lalit Kala Akademi with their counterpart institutions. The National Mission on Libraries, which seeks to establish the National Virtual Library of India, would provide digital space for promotion of SAARC Culture online.
Cricket connects the people of the region like no other sport does. To celebrate the cricketing heritage of the sub-continent, India has proposed to conduct the Cricket Connects exhibition in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. We have received positive responses from many countries to conduct the exhibition.
The declaration of 201617 as the SAARC Year of Cultural Heritage is a significant initiative. The draft Delhi Declaration could focus on the activities to be taken up in a three-year time-frame, as also in the year 201617.
I look forward to cordial and constructive discussions through the day to take agenda forward.
I extend a warm welcome to all delegates at the Senior Officers Meeting, to my fellow Culture Secretaries and members of SAARC Secretariat, to everyone gathered here at the 3rd meeting of the SAARC Culture Ministers.
SAARC is a natural outcome of the shared cultural heritage of its members. In fact, I would say that it is perhaps the most natural of all similar international groupings worldwide. The overlaps in every single area that can be classified under culture from oral narratives to painting techniques, from literary worlds to music and dance, from archives and libraries to museums is fascinating to observe. We share centuries of common cultural heritage, common history, deep civilizational convergences manifest in many of the dance and other art forms. And yet, in spite of the overlaps, every country has also evolved distinct styles that can continue to facilitate genuine cultural interchange. Closer cultural ties assume greater significance now than ever before since they can prove very valuable in understanding contemporary trends within our societies and equip us better to deal with the challenges therein.
The responsibility that has been given to us is two-fold:
1. Formulation of the Delhi Declaration by the SAARC Ministers of Culture;
2. Revising the SAARC Agenda for Culture
The 2006 Agenda for SAARC Culture was comprehensive in its breadth and description. The establishment of the SAARC Culture Centre was a significant positive step. The SAARC Culture Centre is the pre-eminent institution in the region for dissemination of SAARC culture. In this meeting, I would propose further empowerment of the SAARC Culture Centre for formulation of the SAARC Culture Heritage lists, transnational nominations for world heritage sites and preservation of historical monuments. I would also like to empower the SAARC Culture Centre as a resource institution for Project Mausam to conduct research workshops for countries in the Indian Ocean rim which have developed common maritime cultural linkages with each other.
The furtherance of the SAARC agenda for culture has been proposed in the agenda notes, which India supports whole-heartedly. The major activities envisaged in the agenda, including the strengthening of cultural institutions in member countries, cultural festivals in the region, preservation and conservation practices and promoting literacy and reading habits are all commendable initiatives. India is willing to commit itself to instituting a technical assistance programme for strengthening SAARC cultural institutions through the Archaeological Survey of India, National Archives of India, the National Museum and the National Gallery of Modern Art. We would also seek to promote greater collaboration between our cultural institutions for performing arts, literature, and visual arts, namely the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the Sahitya Akademi and the Lalit Kala Akademi with their counterpart institutions. The National Mission on Libraries, which seeks to establish the National Virtual Library of India, would provide digital space for promotion of SAARC Culture online.
Cricket connects the people of the region like no other sport does. To celebrate the cricketing heritage of the sub-continent, India has proposed to conduct the Cricket Connects exhibition in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. We have received positive responses from many countries to conduct the exhibition.
The declaration of 201617 as the SAARC Year of Cultural Heritage is a significant initiative. The draft Delhi Declaration could focus on the activities to be taken up in a three-year time-frame, as also in the year 201617.
I look forward to cordial and constructive discussions through the day to take agenda forward.
