Context:
Ministry of Culture has established the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM) to preserve and promote India’s rich cultural heritage.
NMCM:
- Launched in 2017
- Aim – To create a cultural map of India, highlighting its diversity and supporting the artist community.
- Ministry – Ministry of Culture
- Objectives –
- Documenting India’s cultural assets.
- Using cultural potential to promote self-reliance in villages.
- Highlighting the link between heritage, development, and identity.
- Coverage – Seeks to map the geographical, demographic, and creative capitals of 6.5 lakh villages in India, with 4.5 lakh villages already included.
- Mission Components –
- Cultural Awareness Programme: Like Hamari Sanskriti Hamari Pahchan (Our Culture, Our Identity).
- Grading of Artists: Introduction of Unique Cultural-ID (UCID) for artists.
- Cultural Infrastructure: Development of cultural hubs (Kala Grams) and integrating knowledge centers.
- Artist Welfare: Implements welfare schemes and grants for artists, especially veterans.
- Implemented under Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
With reference to the cultural history of India, the term ‘Panchayatan’ refers to:
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2014 Prelims]
(a) an assembly of village elders
(b) a religious sect
(c) a style of temple construction
(d) an administrative functionary
Answer: (c)