The scheme has recently been finalised in response to long felt need for preserving monuments, sites, or remains of historical and cultural value which, as a class, would not qualify for protection from the Archaeological Survey of India or the State Departments of Archaeology. The scheme envisages non-recurring grants limited to Rs. 50,000 (and in special, cases Rs. 1 lakh) to a registered voluntary Organisation for preservation of such monuments which would not be exclusively political or religious in nature. The State Governments have been requested to identify competent voluntary organisations and to recommend valid applications. It is expected that grants may be sanctioned during 1979-80 in respect of two monuments to begin with, and about four or five during 1980-81.
D. CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS As part of the Swami Haridas Panchshati celebrations, a three day music and cultural programme was organised from March 31 to April 2, 1979 in Delhi with Government assistance. This Samaroh was inaugurated by the President of India. Prominent artists like Ravi Shankar, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Ustad Bismillah Khan, V.G. Jog, Zarine Daruwallah, Pandit Jasraj, Siyaram Tiwari, Gopi Krishna, Sitara Devi and Uma Sharma participated.
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Financial assistance was also given for Raja Subodh Mallik centenary celebrations organised in Calcutta.
It has been decided to provide Government assistance for the following centenary celebrations to be organised in 1980
(i) Sarojini Naidu Birth Centenary Celebrations
(ii) Sri Ramana Maharshi Birth Centenary, and
(iii) 1,400th Anniversary of the Hijra (Islamic Calendar).
E. GAZETTEERS
Gazetteer of India All the four volumes of the Gazetteer of India viz. Volume I--Country and People, Volume II-History and Culture; Volume III- Economic Structure and Activities; and Volume IV-Administration and Public Welfare, have been published.
State Gazetteers and Supplements to District Gazetteers On, the pattern of provincial Gazetteers published during the British period, it has been decided to bring out one volume for each State. Besides, there will be Supplements to District Gazetteers to update the material, particularly economic data which has become outdated.
F. CULTURAL RELATIONS
Cultural Agreements and Exchange Programme With a view to promoting cooperation with countries in the fields of education, arts and culture, science, technology, medicine, agriculture, films, mass media and sports, cultural agreement's and exchange programmes are concluded with various countries from time to time. While cultural agreements provide for broad terms of policy in regard to cultural contacts between the two contracting parties and financial liabilities to be borne by each side, the Cultural Exchange Programmes are drawn up from time to time (One to three years) indicating specific programmes of exchange during such periods. Such cooperation provides for exchange of academics. scholars, artists, writers. journalists, doctors, agricultural experts, dance and music troupe, organisation of film festivals together with whenever possible visits of representative delegations, art, exhibitions., exchange of
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scientific and technical information, books and publications, radio and TV programmes and experts, etc.
Till the end of the last year, cultural agreements had been concluded with 54 countries. During this year, a cultural agreement was initiated with Morocco, and it is expected to be signed formally during the ensuing year.
Till the end of the last year, India had Cultural Exchange Programmes with 30 countries. In respect of those countries, with whom there is no cultural exchange programme, the cultural activities are undertaken on ad-hoc basis.
Presentation of Books to Foreign Countries Under the scheme for presentation of books abroad, the Department of Culture has made a budget provision of Rs. 150 lakhs for payment as grant-in-aid to the Indian Council for Cultural Relations which administers this scheme on behalf of the Department of Culture. The Council has already initiated steps for presentation of books during the current year to foreign countries.
Presentation of Art Objects Under the scheme for presentation of art objects abroad, a sum of Rs. 50,000 is made available to the ICCR every year, for presentation and despatch of art objects such as dolls, puppets, masks, musical instruments, etc. to the foreign countries.
Essay Competition This scheme is also being administered by the ICCR on behalf of the Department of Culture for which a grant of Rs. 50,000 is paid to the Council for arranging competitions to create a better understanding about the life and culture of India by arousing interest among the younger generation abroad. The Indian Missions abroad organise these essay competitions every year for school and college students in their territories of accredition. The Council sends items of handicrafts, books and L.P. records, etc., as prizes to the winners.
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Assistance to Indo-foreign Friendship Societies Indo-Foreign Friendship Societies situated in about 50 countries abroad are assisted by grant-in-aid as a measure for promoting cultural contacts with India. These societies organise lectures, festivals and exhibitions on Indian art and culture. They also entertain prominent visitors from India when they happen to be in the concerned countries. During the year 1979-80, a sum of Rs. 3.50 lakhs has been provided for payment as grant-in-aid to cover about 82 societies through Indian Missions abroad.
Cultural Activities by the Indian Missions abroad An amount of (pound) 1,000 each has been placed at the disposal of Indian High Commission in London and the Embassy of India in Washington for organising cultural activities amongst the Indians there. It is proposed to place some amounts at the disposal of some other selected Indian Missions also in the ensuing year.