Culture Ministry

Rediscovery of India: Collectors reclaim colonial art as nation's heritage

Weeks isn't the only foreign artist who travelled to and worked in or on India. And he certainly isn't the only one attracting attention in the country of his interest

Govt making efforts to preserve cultural identity of tribals: Maha Guv

Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan on Tuesday asserted the central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was committed to ensure all-round development of tribals. Special efforts are being made to preserve the cultural identity, traditions and heritage of adivasis, he emphasised and added there are plans to establish a tribal university in Maharashtra. Radhakrishnan was speaking after inaugurating an 'Adivasi Mela' organised by the Chandrapur district administration at Pombhurna town. It is a matter of great pride for a tribal woman to occupy the top constitutional post of the country's president, he said. "This region is known as 'Gondwana', which reminds us of the legacy of Gond rulers who governed this land for centuries. The government under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi is very committed to ensure development of tribal people in the region," he said. "As the Governor, I am also the guardian of scheduled areas of the state ...

Govt sends 10 geological sites' names to ASI for inclusion in heritage list

Names of 10 geological sites, sent to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for inclusion in the list of world heritage sites, are under scrutiny, the government has said. There are about 100 geo-heritage sites, out of which 32 have been recognised as National Geological Monuments. Unlike archaeological sites, there is no legislation to protect geo-heritage sites. But the Geo Heritage Sites and Geo-relics Bill, 2022, which aims to protect India's geological heritage, is under process, Mines Secretary V L Kantha Rao said. Speaking at an event here, Rao said that there are about 1,200 world heritage sites in the world, out of which 42 are in India and none of these are geological sites. "We need to work together," the secretary said and stressed on the recognition of at least two geoparks in coming years in India, Geological Survey of India (GSI) said in a statement. India, Rao said, has excellent geo-heritage sites like Lunar crater in Maharashtra, Bhedaghat in Madhya Pradesh, ..

Har Ghar Tiranga: Demand for flags helped women's SHGs thrive, says govt

The Culture Ministry said on Wednesday that the 'Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan', which was launched in 2022, has created employment opportunities for thousands of women associated with self-held groups (SHGs), which have increasingly taken over flag production to meet the massive demand. Union Culture Secretary Govind Mohan said approximately 25 crore flags are needed annually and the production has shifted from large vendors to SHGs, turning them into a thriving industry as they now produce and sell most of the national flags. He said when the programme was first launched in 2022 as part of the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there was a significant challenge in meeting the demand for flags. To address this, the central government procured national flags from large vendors and distributed approximately 7.5 crore flags to the states, directly and through post offices, he noted in a statement, adding that the government also revised the Flag Code of .

'Pyramids of Assam' Moidams included in Unesco's World Heritage List

The Moidams, often hailed as the 'Pyramids of Assam' have become the first cultural site from the Northeast to be added to the Unesco World Heritage List

World Heritage session to showcase India's rich cultural diversity: Govt

After hosting of the G20, the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee that will be held here from July 21-31 will prove to be the next milestone, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Friday. At a curtain-raiser press conference here ahead of the session, he also said an "in-principle approval" has been received for the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the inauguration of the event. Shekhawat said the World Heritage Committee (WHC) session will offer an opportunity to India to showcase its rich cultural heritage, upkeep and management of its sites and the priority India accords to its heritage. Asked on what criteria Delhi was chosen as the host city for the key meeting, the Union minister said Delhi was a "natural choice" for such a culturally important event. Ahead of the WHC session, the government recently launched a public art project with works themed on India's cultural legacy and the country's UNESCO heritage sites among others. In sync wi

Grieving through popular culture

Cyril Radcliffe, the man who physically drew the line separating Hindu-dominated India from the Muslim one in the west and the east, had the worst job possible

Several monuments, archaeological sites under encroachment: Govt tells LS

A number of old monuments and archaeological sites in the country are "under encroachment", the government informed the Lok Sabha on Monday. Union Minister of Culture G Kishan Reddy said this in a written response to a query in the Lok Sabha. He was asked about the centrally protected monuments and whether any study has been done to assess their present conditions. There are 3,697 ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains which have been declared of national importance, Reddy said. "Inspection of monuments and sites is taken up by the Archeological Survey of India's officials/officers from time to time to assess their condition," he said. In his response, he also shared the state-wise numbers of sites which are under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). To a query on whether several ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains are under encroachment, he said, "A number of monuments and sites are under encroachment". "In case of encroachment, complaints a

No separate budget under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav programme, says govt

There was "no separate budget" under the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and all the ministries, state governments and their attached bodies incurred the expenditure on the events organised by them from their budget heads, the government informed Parliament on Monday. Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy said this in a written response to a query in Lok Sabha when asked about the aim and objectives of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) programme, along with the list of state-wise events. The minister was also asked for details of the funds utilised for these events, state-wise. "There was no separate budget under AKAM. Hence, all the ministries/departments, state governments, UTs and their attached/subordinate/autonomous bodies, and PSUs incur the expenditure on the events organised by them from their respective budget heads," Reddy said. The 75-week countdown to August 15, 2023, not only commemorated 75 years of independence but also the glorious history and unique diversity of the ...

UTIKS portal launched to promote understanding of Indian culture abroad

The Portal is aimed at disseminating knowledge and authentic information about Indian culture to the uninitiated

Culture Ministry has 4,919 posts lying vacant, govt tells Lok Sabha

As many as 4,919 posts are lying vacant against the sanctioned strength of 13,865 which cover the Culture Ministry and its attached, subordinate and autonomous bodies, Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy informed the Lok Sabha on Monday. Asked whether the ministry and other departments and bodies under its control have a "shortage of manpower" compared to sanctioned posts, he replied in the affirmative. "There are 4,919 posts lying vacant against the sanctioned strength of 13,865 which cover the ministry and its attached, subordinate and autonomous bodies. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has 3,696 centrally protected monuments in various states and Union Territories of the country. "ASI takes up maintenance and conservation work of these monuments and sites regularly, as per availability of resources. Upkeep of the monuments is a continuous process," he said. Reddy said, "There is no centrally protected monument/site which has been badly affected due to shortage of staff

Culture Ministry, Canara Bank sign MoU for financial assistance to artists

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Culture and a PSU bank on Wednesday for the disbursal of financial assistance to veteran artists, officials said. The ministry administers a 'Financial Assistance for Veteran Artists' scheme under which financial assistance of Rs 6,000 per month is provided to artists and scholars above the age of 60, who have contributed significantly in their specialised fields of performing arts and culture in their active age or are still contributing, but due to old age, they are facing difficulty and are in penury condition. Currently, under the scheme, disbursal of financial assistance in respect of artists selected before 2017 is made through the LIC while for the artists approved post-2017, it is made directly by the ministry, according to an official statement issued by the ministry. It has been noted that the receipt of documents from the beneficiaries often gets delayed resulting in disbursal of the amount as a lump sum ...

Deepened bond between our youth and culture: PM Modi on conserving heritage

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that during the last nine years of his government there have been numerous efforts towards revitalising and honouring India's glorious heritage, which have deepened the bond between the country's youth and culture. The prime minister's remarks on Twitter came with the hashtag "9YearsOfPreservingCulture". "We are proud of our rich and diverse culture. There have been numerous efforts towards revitalising and honouring India's glorious heritage, which have deepened the bond between our youth and our culture," Modi tweeted. His remarks come at a time the ruling BJP has been organising various programmes across the country as part of a mega public outreach to mark nine years of the Modi government. The prime minister also shared write-ups on his government's achievements in preserving the cultural heritage of the country.

Highest Shiv shrine Tungnath tilting by 6-10 degrees; ASI keeping an eye

The ASI is working towards finding the root cause of the damage and will explore if it can be repaired immediately

161.34 sq km of land available with Archaeological Survey of India: Govt

The total land available with the Archaeological Survey of India is 161.34 sq km according to the Government Land Information System (GLIS) portal of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Parliament was informed on Monday. Union Minister for Culture G Kishan Reddy said this in a written response to a query in Lok Sabha. "ASI has 161.19 sq km land available around the Centrally Protected Monuments/Sites and 0.15 sq km of office building/staff quarters belonging to 39 Circles/Mini-Circle of the ASI. Hence, the total land available with ASI is 161.34 sq km as per the Government Land Information System (GLIS) portal of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs," he said. He was asked about the details of land belonging to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the country, with state-wise details. Asked whether any state government agencies or public sector enterprises have encroached the land of ASI, the minister responded, "Yes". In his response, he shared state-wise data

Centre planning to set up National Public Health Museum soon: Report

In the project, the ministry of health is expected to collaborate with the ministry of culture

Centre spent Rs 27,000 lakh on conservation, preservation of cultural sites

The central government has spent Rs 26,957.32 lakh on conservation, preservation and maintenance of monuments and sites of national importance in 2021-22, Parliament was informed on Thursday. Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy, in a written response to a query, also shared data on the revenue generated through entry fee at monuments and sites at 143 locations in the country during the last three years. There are 3,696 centrally-protected monuments in the country which fall under the purview of the Archaeological Survey of India, including 743 sites in Uttar Pradesh, 506 in Karnataka, and 412 in Tamil Nadu. Reddy also shared details on the expenditure on conservation, preservation and maintenance of monuments and sites of national importance during last three years. In 2019-20, the figures stood at Rs 43,538.76 lakh while the corresponding figures for 2020-21 was Rs 26,083.41 lakh, and Rs 26,957.32 lakh for 2021-22, according to the data shared.

India-Egypt MoU on cultural cooperation signed for five years: Govt

The pact on cultural cooperation signed between India and Egypt will entail a range of activities being hosted in both the countries, including in the fields of music, dance, theatre, library and research and documentation. For continued cultural cooperation, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed for a period of five years, the Union Culture Ministry said in a statement on Friday. The MoU was signed and exchanged on January 25 by Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy and Arab Republic of Egypt Foreign Minister Sameh Hassan Shoukry in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, it said. "Both countries look forward to witness a host of cultural activities happening in due course in the realm of music, dance, theatre, literature, library, organising festivals in respective countries and research and documentation, etc," the statement said. The MoU was signed to strengthen the cultural ties with Egypt. Reddy had participat

Revamped Monument Mitra scheme to be launched soon: Union Culture Secy

The government will soon launch a revamped version of the Monument Mitra scheme under which the Culture Ministry will seek partnerships with private industries for the upkeep of 1,000 ASI monuments and hold light and sound shows among other activities, a top official said Wednesday. Interacting with reporters here, Union Culture Secretary Govind Mohan also said, "Our target is to have MoUs signed with partners for 500 sites under the revamped Monument Mitra scheme by August 15 when the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav ends." The Monument Mitra scheme was launched a few years ago under the Ministry of Tourism which entails adopting a site for upkeep and other related activities. The Monument Mitra scheme was transferred from the Ministry of Tourism to the Ministry of Culture a few months ago, Mohan said. The revamped Monument Mitra scheme, along with its website will be launched soon, he said, adding, the scheme will be based on corporate social responsibility (CSR). The website will have t

PM Modi condoles the demise of noted Lavani singer Sulochana Chavan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday condoled the demise of noted Marathi Lavani singer and Padma Shri awardee Sulochana Chavan