Miscellaneous Schemes under Ministry of Culture

Project ‘Mausam’

• Aim: To explore the Indian Ocean world by collating archaeological and historical research. The idea is to document cultural, commercial, and religious interactions across the Indian Ocean.
• Objective: To identify and inscribe cultural routes, maritime landscapes, and sites under UNESCO’s World Heritage List as trans-national heritage.
• Implementing Agency: Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), with support from IGNCA and National Museum.
• Tenure: Up to 2023.
• Focus Areas:
  • Monsoon patterns
  • Cultural routes
  • Maritime landscapes
• Proposed Nominations:
  • Routes followed by the Cholas in Southeast Asia.
  • Spread of Buddhism through land and sea routes in South & Southeast Asia.

➡️ In short, Project Mausam is India’s effort to revive and showcase shared heritage across the Indian Ocean region.

Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science

• Aim: To popularise science and technology (S&T) through exhibitions, seminars, lectures, etc., and show their impact on human welfare.
• Implementing Agency: National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) – an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture.
• Key Provisions:
  • Establishment of Science Cities, Science Centres, Innovation Hubs.
  • Modernisation of existing science centres.
  • Creation of digital planetariums and Space & Astronomy Education Centres (SAEC).

➡️ This scheme basically makes science accessible and exciting for the public, especially students.

Adarsh Smarak

• Aim: To provide improved amenities at monuments like audio-video guides, waste management, and world-class facilities for visitors.
• Implementing Agency: Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

➡️ This initiative ensures that our monuments are not only preserved but also made visitor-friendly and globally attractive.

National Mission for Manuscripts

• Aim: To conserve, document, and make accessible the vast manuscript heritage of India.
• Mandate: Identification, documentation, preservation, and dissemination.
• What qualifies as a Manuscript?
  • A handwritten composition (on paper, bark, cloth, palm leaf, metal, etc.).
  • At least 75 years old.
  • Must have scientific, historical, or aesthetic value.
• Note: Lithographs and printed books are not manuscripts.

➡️ This mission safeguards India’s ancient intellectual wealth, much of which still remains hidden in private collections.

National Mission on Cultural Mapping and Roadmap

• Aim: To develop a comprehensive cultural database of artists, art forms, and cultural resources using a robust IT-enabled platform.
• Launched under: Umbrella scheme Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana.
• Purpose:
  • Promote cultural economic activity.
  • Support artists and generate employment opportunities.

➡️ In essence, this scheme is about creating a digital cultural map of India, which will help both policy-making and livelihood creation for artists.