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Global Engagement Scheme
Context:
The Global Engagement Scheme of India’s Ministry of Culture is an initiative designed to promote and showcase India’s rich cultural heritage, including the cultural diversity of Maharashtra, on the global stage.
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Its primary objective is to strengthen India’s cultural ties with other nations, enhance bilateral cultural exchanges, project India’s cultural identity internationally, and encourage inbound tourism.
Key Objectives
- Strengthening Cultural Ties: Establish stronger cultural relationships with foreign nations.
- Promoting Bilateral Cultural Contacts: Foster mutual understanding and cooperation in the cultural sector.
- Projecting India’s Cultural Identity: Enhance India’s global cultural image.
- Encouraging Inbound Tourism: Promote India as a cultural tourism destination.
Components of the Scheme
- Festival of India: Indian artists from various cultural fields are given the opportunity to perform abroad under the “Festival of India” banner.
- The participating art forms include Folk Art, Classical and Traditional Dance, Contemporary Dance, Classical/Semi-Classical Music, Folk Music, Folk Theatre, Theatre, and Puppetry.
- Grant in Aid to Indo-Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies: Financial assistance is provided to Indo-Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies functioning in foreign countries through Indian Missions. The aim is to strengthen friendship and cultural contacts between India and the respective countries.
- Contribution Grant to International Organisations: Funds are released to international organisations in which India is a member, such as UNESCO and other significant cultural conventions.
- India’s participation includes conventions such as the 1972 World Heritage Convention, the 2003 Convention for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, and the Memory of the World Programme.
Cultural Diplomacy via Festivals of India
- Festivals of India serve as a platform for cultural exchange where Indian artists are invited to perform internationally.
- The Indian Missions Abroad administers this component, which is a significant tool in showcasing Indian art, culture, and heritage.
- The Ministry of Culture has empanelled artists and cultural groups across the country, including Maharashtra, to represent India in these festivals.
- As of now, out of 627 empanelled artists/groups, 37 artists/groups are from Maharashtra.
Performances in the Festival of India
- Over the years, many artists and cultural troupes from Maharashtra have been deputed to perform at Festivals of India held in various countries. Some of the countries and events where Maharashtra’s artists performed include:
- Oman, Netherlands, Ghana (2016-17)
- Venezuela and Vietnam (Freedom 70 events in 2017-18)
- Qatar (2018-19)
- South Africa (2019-20)
Key International Memberships and Collaborations
- India is a member state of UNESCO and has active participation in several UNESCO cultural conventions.
- India also collaborates with various international organisations such as ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property) and WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation).
