CULTURAL MAPPING INITIATIVE

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Context

• The government has taken an initiative to provide a comprehensive overview of the cultural heritage of 6.5 lakh villages across India.

Details

Cultural Mapping Initiative

• The National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM) is a significant initiative by the Government of India, aiming to document and preserve the rich cultural heritage of rural communities across the country.

Objectives

Preservation of Cultural Heritage

• Awareness and Preservation:The project aims to create awareness about the strong connection between cultural heritage and development. It seeks to preserve the cultural identity of rural communities and safeguard intangible cultural assets.
• Sustainability and Revitalization:Focus on sustainable measures to revitalize cultural practices through community-based initiatives.

Comprehensive Cultural Database

• National Registers of Artists and Art Practices:Creation of a national registry to document various artists and their practices across India.
• Web Portal and Mobile App:Development of a digital platform (National Cultural Work Place) to serve as a comprehensive resource for cultural data.

Implementation and Coverage

Mapping of Villages

• Extensive Coverage:The initiative covers 6.5 lakh villages, including detailed documentation of their cultural, geographical, and demographic profiles. For instance, out of the 45,561 villages in Bihar, 36,127 have already been covered by the project. In the Khagaria district, 262 out of 303 villages have been mapped​.

Digital Accessibility

• Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar Portal:The cultural data collected is accessible through the Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD) web portal. This portal provides essential information about each village, including its traditional dresses, arts, crafts, festivals, and more​​.

Benefits

Cultural Awareness and Identity

• Promotion of Cultural Heritage:The project promotes cultural heritage, fostering a sense of identity and pride among rural communities.
• Economic and Social Development:By highlighting the cultural assets, the initiative aims to drive economic growth and social harmony in rural areas.

Resource for Government and Organizations

• Policy Making and Implementation:The comprehensive cultural database serves as a valuable resource for government ministries and organizations to protect and promote cultural identities effectively.
• Transparency and Efficiency:The digital platform ensures transparency and efficiency in managing cultural grants and initiatives​​.

National Mission on Cultural Mapping

• The National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM) is an initiative launched by the Government of India under the Ministry of Culture.
• It aims to document and preserve the rich cultural heritage of India by creating a comprehensive database of cultural assets across the country.

Objectives

• Preservation and Promotion of Cultural Heritage
  • Safeguard intangible cultural assets such as oral traditions, arts, and crafts.
  • Ensure sustainability and revitalization of cultural practices through community-based initiatives.
• Creation of a Cultural Inventory
  • Develop a consolidated database of cultural assets for planning and development.
  • Map cultural assets including art forms, practices, and heritage properties.
• Economic and Social Development
  • Utilize cultural mapping for sustainable economic development and social harmony.
  • Promote artistic development in rural communities.
• Transparency and Effectiveness in Grant Schemes
  • Streamline financial grant schemes for artists and cultural organizations.
  • Ensure transparency and value for money in cultural funding.

Key Components

• Cultural Mapping of Villages
  • Document cultural assets of 6.5 lakh villages across India.
  • Include geographical, demographic profiles, and creative capitals.
• National Registers of Artists and Art Practices
  • Create a comprehensive list of artists and their practices.
  • Develop a web portal and mobile app to function as a National Cultural Work Place (NCWP).
• Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD) Program
  • Map and document villages on a virtual platform.
  • Showcase information about traditional dresses, arts, crafts, festivals, etc.
  • Encourage appreciation for India's cultural diversity.

Vision and Mission

• Preserve Rich Cultural Heritage
  • Address the necessity of preserving Indian art and cultural heritage.
  • Ensure future generations can appreciate and benefit from the country's cultural wealth.
• Enhance Cultural Vibrancy
  • Create a strong cultural presence throughout the nation.
  • Foster a sense of cultural identity and pride among communities.
• Support Artist Communities
  • Design mechanisms to fulfill the aspirations of the artist community.
  • Promote cultural practices and traditions through various initiatives.

Implementation

• Identification and Mapping
  • Identify and map art forms, cultural practices, and heritage properties.
  • Record the ritual, social, and economic status of artists and craftsmen.
• Database and Portal Development
  • Develop a comprehensive portal (MGMD) to showcase cultural data.
  • Provide open access to cultural information for effective use by government and other organizations.
• Incentives and Engagement
  • Encourage community participation through incentives and digital engagement.
  • Promote cultural tourism and virtual exploration of villages.

Schemes/Acts/Policies

Scheme/Policy/Initiative/Act	Description	Implementation Year	Ministry/Organization
National Mission on Cultural Mapping	Aims to document and map the cultural assets of India, focusing on rural areas.	2017	Ministry of Culture
Seva Bhoj Yojana	Reimburses CGST and IGST on food items used by charitable religious institutions for free distribution.	2018	Ministry of Culture
Project Mausam	Examines historical and cultural connections along maritime routes across the Indian Ocean.	2014	Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts
National Mission for Manuscripts	Aims to document, preserve, and disseminate the knowledge contained in manuscripts.	2003	Ministry of Culture
Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat	Promotes cultural integration by pairing states and UTs to enhance interaction and mutual understanding.	2015	Ministry of Education
Scheme for Financial Assistance for Cultural Activities in Border Areas	Supports cultural activities in border areas to foster a sense of unity and cultural understanding.	2014	Ministry of Culture
National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY)	Focuses on the holistic development of heritage cities.	2015	Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
National Culture Fund	Encourages private sector participation in the preservation and promotion of India's cultural heritage.	1996	Ministry of Culture
Tagore Cultural Complexes Scheme	Aims to build and upgrade cultural complexes in various cities across India.	2011	Ministry of Culture
Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana	Promotes and disseminates various forms of art and culture across the country.	2000	Ministry of Culture
Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage	Focuses on the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, such as traditional practices, festivals, and rituals.	2013	Ministry of Culture
National School of Drama Repertory Company	Provides training and performance opportunities for theater artists.	1959	National School of Drama
Museum Grant Scheme	Provides financial assistance for the development of museums and cultural spaces.	2013	Ministry of Culture
Cultural Functions Grant Scheme (CFGS)	Financially assists cultural organizations in conducting various cultural activities.	2017	Ministry of Culture
Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPoCS)	Encourages the integration of scientific culture with traditional cultural practices.	2015	Department of Science and Technology
Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs)	Aims to promote and preserve regional cultural heritage through the establishment of zonal cultural centers.	1985	Ministry of Culture
Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act	Ensures the protection and regulation of movable cultural heritage, preventing illicit trafficking and export of cultural property.	1972	Ministry of Culture
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act	Provides legal protection for archaeological sites and remains, and regulates archaeological excavations and conservation.	2010	Ministry of Culture
Performing Arts Grants Scheme (PAGS)	Financial assistance to individuals and cultural organizations for the promotion of performing arts.	1999	Ministry of Culture
Scheme for Financial Assistance to Professional Groups and Individuals Engaged in Cultural Activities	Supports professional cultural groups and individuals in their artistic endeavors.	2000	Ministry of Culture
Swadesh Darshan Scheme	Develops theme-based tourist circuits to promote, develop, and harness the potential of tourism in India.	2014	Ministry of Tourism

 

Scheme/Initiative/Act	Objective	Ministry/Department	Key Features
National School of Drama (NSD)	Promote theatre arts	Ministry of Culture	Training programs, workshops, and performances to promote Indian theatre
Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA)	Promote music, dance, and drama	Ministry of Culture	Awards, festivals, seminars, and financial support for artists
Sahitya Akademi	Promote Indian literature	Ministry of Culture	Awards, publications, workshops, and fellowships for literary work
Lalit Kala Akademi	Promote visual arts	Ministry of Culture	Exhibitions, scholarships, and awards for visual artists
Kalakshetra Foundation	Promote Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music	Ministry of Culture	Training programs, performances, and research in traditional arts
Guru Shishya Parampara Scheme	Preserve and promote traditional arts through mentorship	Ministry of Culture	Financial assistance for master artists to train students in traditional art forms
International Cultural Relations	Promote cultural diplomacy	Ministry of External Affairs	Cultural exchanges, festivals, and exhibitions abroad to showcase Indian culture
Adarsh Smarak Yojana	Development of model monuments	Archaeological Survey of India	Conservation and development of selected monuments to model standards
Cultural Heritage Youth Leadership Programme (CHYLP)	Engage youth in heritage conservation	Ministry of Culture	Training programs and workshops for youth in heritage conservation

Sources:

THEPRINT

PRACTICE QUESTION Q: Which of the following statements correctly describes the Cultural Mapping Initiative under the National Mission on Cultural Mapping? A) It focuses on urban cultural centers and their development. B) It involves the creation of National Registers of Artists and Art Practices. C) It is exclusively for the promotion of Indian classical music and dance. D) It aims to establish cultural exchange programs with other countries. Answer: B)