Question : Cultural Programmes by ICCR

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken some more initiatives to further strengthen the country’s cultural relations with the foreign countries;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the number of cultural programmes organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) during the last one year in order to improve the cultural relations with other countries; and

(d) the district-wise details of cultural programme being organized by the Department in Uttar Pradesh?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) & (b) Yes, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has taken many initiatives to improve cultural relations with foreign countries. Regular exchange of artists in the fields of Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Academic and intellectual exchanges have been taking place. Details attached at Annexure-A.

(c) The Council has sponsored 166 performing art groups from India during the last one year to 88 countries. The Council also organized 117 performances by 53 foreign groups during the last one year in India. The Council organized Confluence – Festival of India in Australia alongwith Ministry of Culture. Apart from it the Council also organized Festivals of India in France, Iran, Spain and Nepal.

(d) The two regional offices of ICCR located in the cities of Lucknow and Varanasi organized 17 and 15 cultural programmes respectively in various districts of Uttar Pradesh.