Context: The Union Minister for Culture and Tourism recently reported about the Global Engagement Scheme in Lok Sabha.
About the Scheme
- The Ministry of Culture implemented the scheme titled “Scheme for Promotion of International Cultural Relations” now renamed as ‘Global Engagement Scheme‘ to make the world aware of India’s rich cultural heritage.
- The scheme for conducting Festivals of India abroad was revived in 2013.
- The scheme aimed to provide artists practicing Indian art forms an opportunity to perform abroad under the banner of ‘Festival of India’.
- It includes songs, music, dance, theatre, folk traditions, performing arts, rites and rituals, paintings, and writings, which are known as humanity’s ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ (ICH).
- The Scheme provides financial assistance to cultural societies actively promoting Indian Culture abroad to organize cultural activities depicting Indian Culture.
- Components of Scheme:
- The “Global Engagement Scheme” has following three components:
- Festival of India
- Grant in aid to Indo Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies Scheme.
- Contribution Grant (contribution to International Organizations and Delegation under CEP) supports India’s membership in international organizations such as ICROM, UNESCO, and the World Heritage Fund, and facilitates Indian participation in and hosting of international meetings.
- The “Global Engagement Scheme” has following three components:
- Objectives of Scheme
- Generate greater understanding of India’s culture.
- Fostering closer friendship with people of other countries.
- Promoting interaction between eminent Indian scholars with their foreign counterparts holding seminars on related topics etc.