New Delhi: The Ministry of Culture has revealed that 62 festivals, including the Festival of India, have been held abroad to promote Indian culture, music, and folk art, a PIB press release stated.
Under the Global Engagement Scheme, the Festival of India is organized in different countries to promote people-to-people contact and bilateral cultural exchanges. The festival showcases the rich cultural heritage of India and enhances its image in the global arena.
The Ministry of Culture offers grants to Indo-Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies in foreign countries to organize cultural programs and activities. These grants help in promoting Indian folk art, culture, and music abroad. Under the grant-in-aid scheme, the total amount of Rs. 35,000 is given to the leader artist and Rs. 7000 to the accompanying artists for each performance in the Festival of India.
In addition, the Ministry of Culture also offers financial assistance to veteran artists (including folk artists) over 60 years of age. Under this scheme, financial assistance of Rs. 6000 is provided to the selected artists after adjusting the state artist pension.
At present, 15 artists, including 11 folk artists, from Gujarat have been selected for the Festival of India. However, no artist from Dahod has been selected for the scheme under the Festival of India.
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