CENTENARIES AND ANNIVERSARIES
The Centenaries of distinguished personalities who have contributed
towards cultural heritage, development of thought and reform of social
systems are observed from time to time. Normally year-long programmes
are drawn up for major centenaries which are observed at national level.
The programmes which are recommended by High-powered Committees,
set up for each such Centenary include various types of activities and are
implemented by various Ministries/Departments of Government of India in-
cluding the Ministry of Education and Culture under their normal and
'on-going' Schemes. However, programmes which cannot be covered under
any existing schemes are implemented by Centenary Cell of this Ministry
for which 'Ad-hoc' provisions are made under Plan budget. These pro-
grammes include organisation of national and international seminars, func-
tions, publications, exhibitions, memorials etc.
The Department of Culture organised the following centenaries of im-
portant personalities during the year.
Nandalal Bose Birth Centenary A National Committee was set up, with the Prime Minister as its Chair-
Celebration man, to celebrate the birth Centenary of Shri Nandalal Bose, the famous
artist and painter, in December, 1983.
Two meetings of the National Committee on Nandalal Bose were held
on 24th February and 25th August, 1983 respectively. As per the recom-
mendations of the Committee, an exhibition was inaugurated on 5th Decem-
ber, 1983 by the Prime Minister and a special commemorative postage
stamp was released by her on the same day at National Gallery of Modern
Art. A commemorative Volume is being produced by National Book Trust.
Jayaprakash Narayan Memorial A Jayaprakash Narayan Memorial Committee has, been set up under the
Committee Chairmanship of Prime Minister of India to suggest programmes for perpe-
tuating the memory of late Shri Jayaprakash Narayan.
A Second Meeting of the National Committee on Jayaprakash Narayan
Memorial was held on 29th August, 1983 under the Chairmanship of the
Prime Minister to review the progress made so far on the recommendations
made in its first meeting held on 21st June, 1981. The recommendations
made in the second meeting were being implemented.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad Birth The Birth Centenary of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, first President of India
Centenary falls on the 3rd December, 1984. It has been decided to celebrate it at
National level. A National Committee has been set up, with the Prime
Minister as its Chairman, to celebrate the birth centenary of Dr. Rajendra
Prasad.
In the first meeting of the National Committee held on 1st December,
1983, the Committee suggested a number of programmes which are being
implemented in consultation with concerned Departments/State and other
agencies. The programmes include release of postage stamp, installation
of statue of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, publication of Commemorative Volume
and correspondences, Documentary or TV film, Exhibitions, organisation
of a National Seminar, erection of memorial, setting up of a big library and,
Museum.
Other Centenaries For observing Dayanand Saraswati's death centenary during the year
1983, a grant of Rs. 3 lakhs was sanctioned for publication of commemo-
Dayanand Saraswati Death rative volume and translation of 4 Vedas in English and Hindi by Sarvade-
Centenary shik Arya Prathinidhi Sabha, Ramfila Ground, New Delhi.
Celebrations of 1400th Anniversary Shri M. S. Sathyu an eminent producer was entrusted with the work
of the Hijra Era of production of documentary film on 'Islamic Heritage of India'. The
cost of the film would be Rs. 14.00 lakhs.
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Subramania Bharati Centenary An All India Subramania Bharati Centenary Celebration with a Com-
Celebration mittee under the direction of the Prime Minister was constituted with Shri
Kamlapati Tripathi, M.P. as Chairman to celebrate the birth Centenary
of Subramania Bharati during 1982. Action was taken to implement all
the recommendations of the committee during the year including publication
of a Commemorative Volume.
A Publication Committee was constituted for bringing out the Comme-
morative Volume in English and Hindi of selected works of Subramania
Bharati. A grant of Rs. 2.12 lakhs was sanctioned for this purpose.
In addition to celebrating the above centenaries, financial assistance was
also provided to Voluntary Organisations for celebrating Centenaries/
Anniversaries of eminent personalities. Grants were released for organising
Atis Dipanker, a renowned Buddhist's 1000th Birth Anniversary.
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