(a) whether the Government has conducted any review of the activities of the Indian
Cultural Centres functioning abroad during the last six months;
(b) if so, the details of the activities reviewed and the outcome thereof ; and
(c) the reaction of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE)
(a) Yes.
(b) Activities undertaken by Indian Cultural Centres abroad include holding classes in
Indian dance and music, Hindi and yoga, arranging performances by visiting groups from India,
facilitating admission of foreign students into Indian universities under ICCR’s scholarship
schemes, arranging seminars and conferences, reaching out to creative centres in the country
where they are located, and running a regular programme of events to facilitate the promotion
and projection of Indian culture in its various facets. The activities of the Centres are
monitored on a regular basis through an institutionalised system of monthly reporting by these
Centres. These reports are carefully scrutinised at the Council. The Centres function as an
integral part of Indian Missions abroad and their activities are also continuously monitored
by the Head of Mission in the country concerned.
(c) The principal objective of this ongoing process of monitoring and review is to seek
a continuous up-gradation in the quality, content and reach of the activities of the Cultural
Centres.