- Indian Heritage
- Culture
Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage
India has a vast basket of living and diverse cultural traditions, traditional expressions, intangible cultural heritage comprising masterpieces which need institutional support and encouragement with a view to addressing areas critical for the survival and propagation of these forms of cultural heritage. Though, such preservation efforts are being carried out in a scattered form, a need is being felt to have an institutionalized and centralized Scheme for concerted efforts in the direction of professionally enhancing awareness and interest in Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), safeguarding, promoting and propagating it systematically.
For this purpose, the Ministry of Culture has formulated a Scheme titled “Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India”, with the objective of reinvigorating and revitalizing various institutions, groups, individuals, identified non-MOC institutions, non-government organisations, researchers and scholars so that they may engage in activities/ projects for strengthening, protecting, preserving and promoting the rich intangible cultural heritage of India.
The Scheme will cover all recognized domains of ICH such as oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage, Performing arts, Social practices, rituals and festive events, Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, traditional craftsmanship etc.
The objective of the Scheme is to support and strengthen the efforts of various stakeholders vis-a-vis wider recognition and acceptance, dissemination, preservation and promotion of the rich, diverse and vast ICH of India including recognition of the same by the UNESCO. The Scheme aims to support
- Institutions/ Universities/ State Govts/ UT Administrations/ non-MoC Institutions/ Societies/ Non-government organisations, involved in the preservation and propagation of intangible cultural heritage, cultural expressions etc.
- Individuals, researchers, scholars, professionals who are involved in the research, training, preservation, perpetuation, dissemination, and propagation of intangible cultural heritage, cultural expressions etc.
Lalit Kala Akademi (National Academy of Art)
Lalit Kala Akademi (National Academy of Art), New Delhi was inaugurated on 5th August 1954 by the then Minister for Education, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and was registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860, on 11th March 1957. In pursuance of the objectives set out in the Constitution, the organisation functions through its General Council, Executive Board and other Committees.
Lalit Kala Akademi, the youngest of the three Akademies founded by Govt. of India, establishes to direct its focus on activities in the field of Visual Arts. In his inaugural speech Maulana Abul Kalam Azad had stated “The Akademi must work to preserve the glorious traditions of the past and enrich them by the work of our modern artists”. Akademi has preserved and documented a permanent collection of the highest order that reflects the vitality, complexity and unfolding patterns of contemporary, modern, folk and tribal art in India. Lalit Kala Akademi New Delhi along with its Regional Centres situated at Chennai, Lucknow, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Garhi (New Delhi) and sub-centres at Shimla, Ahmedabad, Agartala, Patna presents exhibitions workshops, camps lectures, retrospectives shows and many other art activities of unparalleled significance.
SAHITYA AKADEMI
The proposal to establish a National Academy of letters in India had been under the consideration of the British Government of the country long before independence. In 1944, the Government of India accepted in principle a proposal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal that a National Cultural trust should be set up to encourage cultural activities in all fields. The trust was to consist of three Academies, including the Academy of letters. After freedom, the proposal was pursued by the independent Government of India, while convened a series of conference to work out the details. Consensus emerged in favour of establishing three National Academies one of letters, another of visual arts and the third of dance, drama and music. But deference of opinion persisted whether the Government should take the initiative and establish the Academies or whether it should wait for the advent of individuals who had the necessary moral authority to establish the Academies. Abul Kalam Azad the union minister of education, was of the opinion that “if we had waited for the Academy to grow up from below, we might have had to wait till the Greek Kalends”. It was felt that there was no alternative to Government taking the initiative to set up the Academies. The Government’s functioning in the process was to be that of a curtain raiser. The Government would set up the Academies, but once they were establish, it would refrain from exercising any control and leave them to perform their function as autonomous institution. The Government of India decided to establish a National Academy of letters to be called Sahitya Akademi by its resolution No F-6-4/51G2(A) dated December 1952.
The Sahitya Akademi was formally inaugurated by the Government of India on 12 March 1954. The Government of India Resolution, which set forth the constitution of the Akademi, described it as a national organisation to work actively for the development of Indian letters and to set high literary standards, to foster and co-ordinate literary activities in all the Indian languages and to promote through them all the cultural unity of the country. Though set up by the Government, the Akademi functions as an autonomous organisation. It was registered as a society on 7 January 1956, under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
Sahitya Akademi, India’s National Academy of Letters, is the central institution for literary dialogue, publication and promotion in the country and the only institution that undertakes literary activities in 24 Indian languages, including English. Over the 64 years of its dynamic existence, it has ceaselessly endeavored to promote good taste and healthy reading habits, to keep alive the intimate dialogue among the various linguistic and literary zones and groups through seminars, lectures, symposia, discussions, readings and performances, to increase the pace of mutual translations through workshops and individual assignments and to develop a serious literary culture through the publications of journals, monographs, individual creative works of every genre, anthologies, encyclopedias, dictionaries, bibliographies, who’s who of writers and histories of literature. It has so for brought out over 6000 books, the present pace of publication being one book every 19 hours. Every year the Akademi holds at least 50 seminars at regional, national and international levels along with the workshops and literary gatherings-about 300 in number per year, under various heads like Meet the Author, Samvad, Kavisandhi, Kathasandhi, Loka: The Many Voices, People and Books, Through My Window, Mulakat, Asmita, Antaral, Avishkar, Nari Chetna, Yuva Sahiti, Bal Sahiti, Purvottari and Literary Forum meetings.
Akademi gives 24 awards annually to literary works in the languages it has recognized and an equal number of awards to literary translations from and into the languages of India, both after a year long process of scrutiny, discussion and selection. It also gives special awards called Bhasha Samman to significant contribution to the languages not formally recognized by the Akademi as also for contribution to classical and medieval literature. It has also system of electing eminent writers as Fellows and Honorary Fellows and has also established fellowship in the names of Dr. Anand Coomaraswamy and Premchand. The Akademi has launched Centres for Translation in Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Delhi, and an Archive of Indian Literature in Delhi. A project office for the promotion of Tribal and Oral literature has also been set up in the North Eastern Hill University Campus, Shillong. Many more imaginative projects are on the anvil. Sahitya Akademi is aware of cultural and linguistic differences and does not believe in forced standardization of culture through a bulldozing of levels and attitudes. At the same time, it is also conscious of the deep inner culture, spiritual, historical and experimental links that unify India’s diverse manifestations of literature. This unity seeks an international species-dimension through the Akademi’s Culture Exchange Programmes with other counties on the globe.
Languages Recognised: Besides the 22 languages enumerated in the Constitution ofIndia, the SahityaAkademi has recognised English and Rajasthani as languages in which its programme may be implemented. Names of present members of various language Advisory Boards, which have been constituted to render advice for implementing literary programmes in these 24 languages are given in the website
- Modern Indian history
- The Freedom Struggle
- Post-independence
- Indian Society
A. population and associated issues
B. poverty and developmental issues
C.urbanization
7. Geographical features
8.Indian Constitution
9. Polity
10. Governance
A. institutions
B. regulatory
C. Government policies
D. role of NGOs
E. measures
11. Social Justice
A. Welfare schemes
pm surya ghar yojana
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration introduced the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which aims to provide up to 300 units of free electricity each month to one crore homes. At a cost of around ₹75,000 crore, the initiative aims to provide up to 300 units of free power to one crore families. To apply for the yojana, go to the pm surya ghar
Urban local governments and panchayats would be urged to promote rooftop solar systems—solar energy on rooftops—within their authority to popularize the concept at the grassroots level. In addition, this proposal will raise income, reduce power bills, and create employment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged all homeowners, particularly young people, to support solar energy and sustainable development by applying for the PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme
B Health
Public awareness program organized to commemorate International Epilepsy Day
On the occasion of International Epilepsy Day, observed annually on the second Monday of February, a series of public awareness programs were conducted across various regions to educate and sensitize the public about epilepsy.
Department through its National Institutes and CRCs organized multiple events on Monday, February 12, 2024, to highlight the importance of understanding and supporting individuals with epilepsy.
Epilepsy, often misunderstood as a curse, is a medical condition that can be managed effectively with the right treatment and support. Recognizing the need for compassion and proper care, various initiatives were undertaken to dispel myths and promote acceptance.
In Secunderabad, NIEPID arranged diverse awareness sessions targeting parents, caregivers, students, and staff, emphasizing the significance of empathy and knowledge in dealing with epilepsy. Additionally, an online webinar facilitated discussions among parents, teachers, and professionals in disability rehabilitation, aiming to enhance understanding and support systems.
Meanwhile, NIEPID RC Noida organized engaging activities including awareness sessions, quiz competitions, and screenings of epilepsy awareness videos, targeting students to foster a culture of inclusivity and understanding.
In Gorakhpur, the CRC Gorakhpur Centre conducted a day-long public awareness program to educate the community about epilepsy and its management, aiming to reduce stigma and encourage empathy.
Further, in Davangere, our CRC conducted webinar titled “Care of a Child with Epilepsy” where experts shared insights and strategies to support children with epilepsy, fostering a supportive environment.
Similarly, Comprehensive Regional Centre Tripura and NIMHR Sehore also took initiatives to raise awareness about epilepsy through various programs.
C. Education
D. Human Resources
National Conference on APAAR: One Nation One Student ID Card
Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, attended the National Conference on APAAR: One Nation One Student ID Card in New Delhi today. Secretary, Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Shri Sanjay K. Murthy; Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Shri Sanjay Kumar; Secretary, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari; Secretary, MEITY, Shri S. Krishnan; Chairman, National Council for Vocational Education and Training, Dr. Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi; Chairman, National Educational Technology Forum NBA NAAC, Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe; Vice Chancellors, Directors, Registrars, Controller of Examinations from various institutions across the country, senior officials of the Ministry of Education and Electronics and Information Technology, and industry partners were present at the event. Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education Shri Govind Jaiswal delivered the welcome address.
While speaking at the event Shri Pradhan emphasized how the APAAR ID is going to be the aspirational and global document for the students of the country. Highlighting the importance of several important DPIs developed in the country in recent years, he mentioned how 53 such DPIs have been developed in 16 countries, out of which 19 are in India. He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for envisioning a ‘Digital India’, which has gained full momentum now, as 25 crore APAAR IDs have already been created APAAR IDs. He also underscored the importance of the interconnectivity of APAAR IDs, Academic Bank of Credit, and Digilocker, creating ease of operations. He also mentioned the other important digital assets like Swayam, DIKSHA, etc.
E. poverty and hunger
12. International relations
A. India and its neighbourhood
B. groupings and agreements
C.Indian diaspora
13. Economic Development
A. Government Budgeting
B. industrial
SUFALAM
Union Minister of Food Processing Shri Pashupati Kumar Paras emphasised the pivotal role of startups in the food processing sector. Inaugurating “SUFALAM: Start-Up Forum for Aspiring Leaders and Mentors Startup Conclave 2024” he highlighted the significance of events like SUFALAM, emphasizing their potential to enhance networking, facilitate knowledge sharing, and enable startups to leverage various government schemes. He said this initiative stands as a testament to the government’s steadfast commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship and creating an enabling ecosystem for startups, thereby empowering aspiring entrepreneurs in the food processing domain.
Smt. Anita Praveen, Secretary MoFPI, highlighted the importance of registering all micro-entrepreneurs, self-help groups (SHGs), and MSMEs on the Start-Up India Portal. She elaborated on the vast scope for processing and value addition of agricultural produce, considering India’s status as the largest producer of agri-produce. Furthermore, she elucidated on various schemes of MoFPI aimed at supporting and handholding startups to ensure their success and contribute towards realizing the PM’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
Shri Minhaj Alam, Additional Secretary of MoFPI, and Dr. Harinder Singh Oberoi, Director of NIFTEM-K were also present on the occasion. “SUFALAM” emerges as a pivotal platform aimed at catalyzing innovation, fostering collaboration, and driving growth within the food processing industry.
The event witnessed participation from over 250 industry stakeholders, startups, MSMEs, financial institutions, venture capitalists, and academia. Spanning two days, the event comprises four knowledge sessions, two pitching sessions, and exhibition. The knowledge sessions are held in collaboration with FSSAI, EIC, APEDA, Start-up India, and FICCI, while the pitching sessions are conducted in partnership with industry giants such as Nestle India, HDFC Bank, Buhler India, Marico, Indian Angel Network, ITC Foods, LT Foods, and TCPL. A total of 35 exhibitors from across India are participating in the event.
E.issues
14. Technology
15. Environment
16. Security
17. Disaster Management