Ministry Of Culture: Preserving Heritage, Promoting Identity – IMPRI Impact And Policy Research Institute

Policy Update
Dipankar Mazumder

Background

The Ministry of Culture is the apex Indian government ministry dedicated to the promotion, preservation, and enrichment of a nation’s cultural heritage. The Ministry was constituted with the primary objective of preserving national heritage, promoting cultural diversity and disseminating all forms of art and culture thereby enabling inclusive development. 

Formally established on June 1 2006, the Ministry of Culture evolved through several departments and designations over time reflecting its focus on cultural development. The breakdown is given as below:

1. 1961: The Ministry of Scientific Research and Cultural Affairs was first given responsibility for matters related to cultures.
2. 1971: The creation of a distinct ‘Sanskriti Vibhag’ (Department of Culture) in May.
3. 1971: In June of that year, the Department of Culture (D/o Culture) was further created.
4. 1979: In September, the Department of Culture was incorporated into the Ministry of Education and Culture.
5. 1985: In August, the Department of Culture came under the Ministry of Culture Affairs.
6. 2006: After a series of changes, in February, the Department of Culture was incorporated into the Ministry of Tourism & Culture.
7. 2006: Finally, on June 1st the Ministry of Culture was established.

Presently, the Ministry is headed by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, with Shri Rao Inderjit Singh serving as Minister of State for Culture.

Mandate

At its core, the mandate of the Ministry of culture is to protect our nation’s tangible and intangible cultural legacy. This includes preserving indigenous dialects, ancient monuments, archeological sites, galleries, libraries, literary works, dance, music, and festivals. The ministry creates a cultural ecosystem that encourages innovation and preservation via the formulation and implementation of policies. Additionally, the Ministry strives for sustainable advancement of culture by working with global organizations like UNESCO, state and local governments, and non-governmental organizations. Broadly, the ministry undertakes the following activities:

1. Preservation and maintenance of India’s heritage, historical landmarks and monuments
2. Administration of libraries, museums and institutions of anthropology.
3. The advancement of the performing, artistic, and literary arts.
4. Commemorating centenaries and anniversaries of significant national figures and events.
5. Development of Buddhist and Tibetan studies institutes and organizations.
6. Encouragement of institutional and individual projects in art and culture.
7. Establishing cultural pacts and agreements with other nations.
8. The Department’s functional scope includes everything from fostering understanding of cultures at the local level to facilitating cross-cultural interactions.

Administrative Setup

The administrative set up of the Ministry consists of several divisions that are headed by the Secretary. The Ministry operates with two attached offices, namely: Archaeological Survey of India and National Archives of India, seven subordinated offices and thirty six autonomous bodies.

Functioning

The functioning of the scheme can be broken down into several components:

1. Cultural Institutions: The ministry is in charge of organizations that are essential to the preservation and promotion of many art forms and artifacts, including the National Museum, Lalit Kala Akademi, and Sangeet Natak Akademi.
2. Cultural Events and Festivals: It plans and sponsors a lot of cultural events and festivals all throughout the nation, giving people a chance to interact with various cultural expressions and give artists a stage on which to perform.
3. Heritage Preservation: Through organizations like the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities, the ministry is in charge of preserving both material and immaterial heritage, such as monuments, manuscripts, and customs.
4. International Cultural Exchange: By interacting with different countries through cultural exchange initiatives, it promotes reciprocal understanding and respect of different cultures.

Initiatives and Schemes

Several schemes under this ministry are stated as follows:

1.    Scheme of Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture: Under this scheme, cultural organisations and initiatives are supported through several components like cultural function and production grant (CFPG), development of Buddhist/Tibetan Arts and Culture, building grants including studio theatres, preservation and development of cultural heritage of Himalayas, etc.

2.    Financial Assistance for Promotion of Guru-Shishya Parampara: The Ministry of Culture introduced the Financial Assistance for Promotion of Guru-Shishya Parampara program. Under this scheme, dramatic organizations, theater groups, music teams, children’s theater, and any other performing arts organizations get financial support. For a period of six months to a maximum of one year, the Guru receives Rs. 7,500/-per month, the Accompanist Rs. 3,750/-, and the Pupils Rs. 1,500/-per month. The State Departments of Cultural Affairs suggest the names of the Gurus.

3.     National Mission on Libraries: The Ministry of Culture offers financial support to one State Central Library and one District Library in each State or UT via its National Mission on Libraries (NML) scheme. Additionally, it also funds six libraries for infrastructure development, technological upgrade, modernizing the services, establishment of facilities for specially-abled groups, and advocacy and awareness initiatives.

4.  Scheme of Financial Assistance under Seva Bhoj Yojana: The Ministry of Culture introduced the “Seva Bhoj Yojna” initiative, which went into force on August 1st, 2018. The Scheme has been implemented within India’s geographical authority. Under the “Seva Bhoj Yojna” scheme, the Central Government’s share of the Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) and the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) made on the purchasing of certain raw food commodities by philanthropic and religious organizations such as temples, gurudwaras, dharmik ashrams, mosques, dargahs, churches, math, monasteries, etc. for the purpose of providing food at no charge to the public will be reimbursed by the Indian government as monetary assistance.

5.  Scheme of Scholarship and fellowship for Promotion of Art and Culture: The Ministry of Culture launched the Scheme for Award of Senior/Junior Fellowships to Outstanding Persons in the Fields of Culture. This initiative aims to revive some of our classic varieties of art or to give artists access to amenities and possibilities in the arts of creativity. Artists in rural and tribal regions are also included in the program. The grants are given out for initiatives that are focused on research. A total of 200 Junior and Senior Fellows are chosen annually under this scheme. Over a two-year term, grantees get payments of ₹10,000 and ₹20,000 per month, respectively.

6.  Museum Grant Scheme: Additionally, the Ministry of Culture oversees the Museum Grant Scheme, which provides funding for the establishment of new museums, the expansion of already-existing museums, digitizing of artifacts in museums, and the training of museum staff for museums run by governments at all levels, including local, state, and federal, communities self-governing bodies, educational institutions, and trusts enrolled under the Societies Act.

7.     Scheme of Financial Assistance to veteran artists: The Ministry of Culture introduced the Scheme for Financial Assistance for Veteran Artists, formerly known as the Scheme for Pension and Medical Aid to Artists. The goal of the initiative is to improve the social, economic and monetary standing of elderly artists and scholars who have made major contributions to their particular areas of artistic endeavors, letters, etc. or who continue to do so but are forced to live difficult lives.
The program allows the government to provide financial aid in the form of a quarterly stipend.

8.    Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage: With the aim of reviving and restoring various entities, associations, individuals, non-governmental organizations, researchers, and intellectuals so they can participate in activities/projects for developing, safeguarding, conserving, and advancing India’s rich intangible cultural treasures, the Ministry of Culture has developed this scheme.

9.    Global Engagement Scheme: The Ministry of Culture launched the Scheme for Promotion of International Cultural Relations now known as the Global Engagement Scheme, to raise awareness of India’s prosperous cultural legacy worldwide. The scheme’s goal was to give Indian artists a chance to perform overseas under the ‘Festival of India’ label. In order to stimulate curiosity about India among foreigners, the scheme also offers financial support to cultural organizations that actively promote Indian culture overseas so they can present cultural events that showcase Indian culture.

10.  Indian Conservation Fellowship Programme: This programme provides fellowships for conservation professionals to enhance their skills and knowledge. This fellowship’s objectives were to provide scholars the tools they needed to properly maintain assets at their native institutions and to build a more robust conservation network in India with global connections to experts in the field. 36 Indian conservators have so far been awarded fellowships under the ICFP (17 during the Pilot Program and 19 during the Main Program).

11. Centenary and Anniversary Celebrations Scheme: The Centenaries and Anniversaries Scheme was established to honor notable individuals and occasions of national historical significance, including the 50th, 75th, 100th, 125th, 150th, and 175th anniversaries. The Special Cell of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, is in charge of this program.

Performance

In the fiscal year 2023-24, the Ministry of Culture received a budget allocation of ₹2,500 crore, marking a significant increase from ₹1,800 crore in the previous year. This enhanced funding underscores the government’s commitment to cultural preservation and promotion.

1. G20 Cultural Activities: Under India’s G20 Presidency, the ministry hosted various cultural activities, culminating in the ‘Kashi Culture Pathway’ report, which emphasizes the role of culture in inclusive growth.
2. UNESCO Recognitions: In 2023, the ‘Garba of Gujarat’ was inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, highlighting India’s rich cultural traditions on the global stage.
3. International Cultural Relations: The ministry signed cultural exchange programs with countries such as Egypt, Slovakia, and Mauritius, strengthening bilateral ties through cultural diplomacy.
4. Museum Initiatives: The construction of the Yuga Yugeen Bharat Rashtriya Sangrahalaya, the world’s largest museum, is underway in New Delhi. Spanning 1, 55,000 square meters, it aims to showcase India’s vast historical and cultural legacy.
5. Digitization Efforts: The National Digital Repository for Museums of India, developed under the ‘JATAN’ project, has digitized over 1.15 lakh artifacts, making them accessible to the public and researchers alike

Impact

The Impact of the Ministry of Culture has been multifaceted.

1. Cultural Preservation: The ministry’s initiatives have led to the preservation of numerous cultural practices and artifacts. For instance, the inscription of the ‘Garba of Gujarat’ on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list has brought global attention to this traditional dance form, ensuring its continued practice and appreciation.
2. Public Engagement: Events like the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, which saw over 10 crore people uploading selfies with the national flag, have fostered a sense of national pride and unity. Such initiatives have also increased public participation in cultural activities, enhancing community engagement.
3. Educational Outreach: Through programs like the Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav and the International Museum Expo, the ministry has provided platforms for educational outreach, allowing individuals to learn about and engage with India’s diverse cultural heritage.

Emerging Issues

Despite the ministry’s efforts, several challenges persist:

1. Funding Constraints: While there has been an increase in budget allocation, the funds are often insufficient to meet the vast requirements of cultural preservation and promotion across the country.
2. Infrastructure Limitations: Many cultural institutions and heritage sites suffer from inadequate infrastructure, hindering their ability to function optimally and attract visitors.
3. Awareness and Participation: There remains a lack of awareness among certain sections of the population about the importance of cultural preservation, leading to limited participation in related activities.
4. Digitization Hurdles: While significant progress has been made in digitizing artifacts, challenges related to technology, training, and funding continue to impede comprehensive digitization efforts.

Way Forward

To address these challenges and further the cause of cultural preservation and promotion, the following steps are recommended:

1. Enhanced Funding: Increased budget allocations and financial support for cultural institutions and heritage sites to ensure their proper maintenance and development.
2. Infrastructure Development: Investment in modernizing infrastructure at cultural institutions and heritage sites to improve accessibility and facilities for visitors.
3. Public Awareness Campaigns: Launching nationwide campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of cultural preservation and encouraging public participation in related activities.
4. Comprehensive Digitization: Expanding digitization efforts to include a wider range of artifacts and cultural practices, ensuring their preservation and accessibility for future generations.
5. Capacity Building: Providing training and capacity-building programs for personnel involved in cultural preservation to enhance their skills and efficiency.

References

About the Contributor: Dipankar Mazumder is a Research Intern at Impact and Policy Research Institute. He holds a Master’s degree in Sociology and Social Anthropology from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati. His passion for social issues and governance continues to guide his career aspirations.

Acknowledgement: The author sincerely thanks Ms. Aasthaba Jadeja and the team at IMPRI for their valuable inputs and contribution. 

Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.

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