MINISTRY OF CULTURE

To explore the multifaceted Indian Ocean ‘world’ – collating archaeological and historical research in order to document the diversity of cultural, commercial and religious interactions in the Indian Ocean.
• It is implemented by Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi as the nodal coordinating agency with support of Archeological Survey of India and National Museum as associate bodies.
• At macro level, the focus of the project is to re-establish and re-connect communications between 39 countries of the Indian Ocean world, which would lead to enhanced understanding of cultural values and economic ties.
• At micro level, it also focuses on understanding national cultures in the regional maritime milieu.
• One of the main objectives of the project is to inscribe places and sites identified under Project Mausam as trans-national nomination for inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

• To portray the growth of science and technology and their application in industry and human welfare
• To create awareness and public understanding, appreciation and engagement of public
• Setting up of Science Cities and Science Centres in all the States of the country is provided under this scheme.
• Implementing Agency is National Council of Science Museums (an autonomous organization of Ministry of Culture)
• Interested states have to provide land and share the cost of setting up of facility and corpus for upkeep and maintenance.

To reduce financial burden of Charitable Religious Institutions
It envisages reimbursing Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Central Government’s share of Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) paid on purchase of specific raw food items by Charitable/Religious Institutions for distributing free food to public.
• It is applicable to all Charitable Religious Institutions such as Temples, Gurudwara, Mosque, Church, Dharmik Ashram, Dargah, Matth, Monasteries etc. which follows following norms:

o which have been in existence for preceding five years before applying for financial assistance/grant.
o which have been distributing free food to public for at least past three years on the day of application.
o which serve free food to at least 5000 people in a month.
o which should not be blacklisted under provisions of FCRA or any other Act/Rules of the Central/State Government.

11.4. SAFEGUARDING THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE AND DIVERSE CULTURAL TRADITIONS OF INDIA

To reinvigorate and revitalize various institutions, groups, individuals, identified non-MoC institutions, non-government organizations, researchers and scholars so that they may engage in activities/ projects for strengthening, protecting, preserving and promoting the rich intangible cultural heritage (ICH) of India.
• It will cover all recognized domains of ICH such as oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage, Performing arts, Social practices, rituals and festive events, Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, traditional craftsmanship etc.
• The scheme is being implemented through Sangeet Natak Akademi, an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Culture

• The Scheme falls under Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.
• It establishes the cultural mapping (i.e. database of cultural assets and resources) via running nationwide cultural awareness programme called Hamari Sanskriti Hamari Pahchan Abhiyan for the development of all art forms and artists.
• It also seeks to establish a National Cultural Working Place (NCWP) portal for obtaining information, knowledge sharing etc. in the field of all art forms.

• It was launched through Zonal Cultural Centre to preserve and promote rare and vanishing art forms whether classical or folk/tribal so that the young talents be nurtured to acquire skills in their chosen field of art through some financial assistance by the ZCCs in the form of scholarship under the guidance of Experts and Masters in these fields.

• It aims to provide amenities of international standard around monuments such as provide Interpretation and audio-video centre, streamline waste water and garbage disposal etc.
• It is being implemented by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

• It was established in 2003 as a unique project for identifying documenting, conserving and making accessible the manuscript heritage of India.
• It aims to establish a digital National Manuscripts Library at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).
• It promotes ready access to these manuscripts through publication, both in book form as well as electronic form.

• It aims to promote, understand and develop fondness for India’s rich cultural heritage amongst the youth with a view to develop appropriate leadership qualities amongst youth.
• It focusses on the less privileged children residing in backward areas by interacting with them in vernacular languages for their better understanding.
• Centre for Cultural Resources and Training, an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, is the implementation agency for this programme.

• Ministry of culture in collaboration with Centre for Development for Advanced Computing (C-DAC) has developed a software named “Jatan” that is set to revolutionise museum experience.
• Also aimed at improving the museum visit experience among the differently-abled, C-DAC has developed “Darshak”, a mobile-based application. It allows real-time museum visitors gather all details about objects or artifacts simply by scanning a QR code placed near the object.

Shruti