Cultural Activities in 2018 in India

Here are list of cultural activities took place under the aegis of Union Ministry of Culture:

• NAI hosted Special Exhibition to Commemorate the 70 years of Accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India: The Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge) Dr. Mahesh Sharma inaugurated an exhibition on “INDIA @ 70: THE JAMMU & KASHMIR SAGA” on the occasion of 70 years of Accession of Jammu & Kashmir to India, in New Delhi on 11th January,2018. The month long exhibition was curated by the National Archives of India of Ministry of Culture. Through this interactive Digital Exhibition, the National Archives of India aimed to portray the historical narrative of the Kashmir Conflict, sensitizing the younger generation and creating awareness about the heroism, valour and sacrifice of our Armed forces and civilians.
• Mumbai’s Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Building declared as World Heritage by UNESCO: In yet another landmark achievement this year , India’s nomination of the “Victorian and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai ” has been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. This makes Mumbai city the second city in India after Ahmedabad to be inscribed on the World Heritage List. In the past 5 years alone, India has managed to get inscribed seven of its properties/sites on the World Heritage List of UNESCO. India now has overall 37 World Heritage Inscriptions with 29 Cultural, 07 Natural and 01 Mixed sites. While India stands second largest in number after China in terms of number of World Heritage properties in ASPAC (Asia and Pacific) region, it is overall sixth in the world.
• 7th Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav held in KARNATAKA: To celebrate the idea of unity in diversity, the Ministry of Culture organized the 7^th edition of the Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat matrix in Karnataka beginning January 14, 2018.The State paired with Karnataka is Uttarakhand. The Mahotsav covered a profusion of art forms from classical and folk, music and dance, theatre to literature and the visual arts and offered the chance to experience the best in established and emerging virtuosity. A handloom and handicrafts-utsav was part of the event. The gastronomic culture of several partnering states was showcased through a food festival.
• Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards : The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, presented the Sangeet Natak Akademi’s Fellowships (Akademi Ratna) and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) for the year 2016 at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17, 2018. Speaking on the occasion, the President said that art connects people with culture.
• First ever International Kala Mela held in Delhi: The First ever International Kala Mela was inaugurated by the Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi on 4^th February 2018. The International Kala with the aim to promote the spirit of Unity in Diversity and the relevance of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. With a total of 325 exhibition stalls, it has more than 800 participants from across the globe. These participants were from countries such as China, Venezuela, Peru, Portugal, Srilanka, Poland, Tunisia, Mexico, Bangladesh, Trinidad, Tobago, Fiji, France, Papua New Guinea, Czechia, UK, Spain and Brazil. The Festival was organized from February 4^th, 2018 to February 17^th, 2018 at the IGNCA, New Delhi.
• NSD, Ministry of Culture hosted the 8th Theatre Olympics: The Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the 8th Theatre Olympics 2018 at the majestic Red Fort in New Delhi on 17th February, 2018. The Theatre Olympics 2018 travelled to 17 Indian cities with 450 shows, 600 ambience performances and 250 power packed youth forum shows with participation of 25,000 artists from the globe. The festival concluded on 8th April 2018, with a grand ceremony at the iconic Gateway of India in Mumbai.It was the first ever Theatre Olympics to be held in India.
• Ganga Sanskriti Mahotsav- RAS BANARAS organised in Varanasi: Celebrating the creative and cultural industries of Varanasi, the two day long Sanskriti Mahotsav organised by the Ministry of Culture “Ras Banaras – Swachhagrah – Bapu ko Kaaryaanjali” at Man Mandir and Assi Ghat began in Varanasi on 21^st Februray 2018 . Integrating the tangible and intangible heritage along the river-belt; different institutions/missions like the National Mission for Clean Ganga and Namami Ganga Jagriti Yatra, the academia, artists, artisans, writers, poets, environmental and cultural forums came together giving the cultural expressions to the conservation and protection of the river
• 8th Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav held in Madhya Pradesh: Continuing its endeavour to promote India’s Heritage, Ministry of Culture is organising a week long diversified cultural carnival ‘Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav’ in Madhya Pradesh that began at Maan Mandir Fort, Gwalior on 24th February,2018.. To celebrate our plural traditions, under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat matrix Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav in Madhya Pradesh was enjoined with Nagaland and Manipur as its pairing states. The festival Travelled in 2 cities of Madhya Pradesh i.e. Bhopal andIndore from 26^th February to 28th February 2018.
• Archaeological Survey of India’s excavations at the Sadiqpur Sanauli village of Bhagpat, Uttar Pradesh: The Archaeological Survey of India under the Excavation Branch-II, undertook excavations at the Sadiqpur Sanauli village of Bhagpat, Uttar Pradesh, from the month of March 2018 onwards. Previously in 2004-05, Sanauli was excavated by ASI and found 116 burial remains. The present excavated area is about hundred & twenty mtrs away from the same.
• Total eight number of burial remains were unearthed in which three are Coffin burials, three secondary burial including one twin burial and two symbolic burials. All burials are unique having individual characteristics with some common features. Burial No.1, 3 and 6 are wooden coffin burials in which No.3 and 6 having copper plating and decorations. All burials have pottery, placed all around the skeleton generally big pots kept near the legs and bowls and flasks are arranged near the head indicating North West direction. These hint that the Burials belong to Warrior Class habitants and that they drove a Chariot powered by an animal. This discovery puts Indian Civilization on par with other ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia and Greece, where Chariots were extensively used. It is for the first time that Swords dating to this era has been found in a Burial Pit in India.
• These Preliminary findings reveal that based on the archaeological evidences, Sanauli Grave Culture goes back to around 2000 BCE to 1800 BCE (Copper Bronge age).
• First ever International Print Biennale held in Delhi: In keeping with its role as the country’s National Academy of Art, the Lalit Kala Akademi hosted the first-ever International Print Biennale in the country with a record number of 17 countries taking part in it. The first-ever International Exhibition of Graphic Prints ‘Print Biennale India 2018’opened on 25th March,2018 at the Rabindra Bhavan Galleries of the Lalit Kala Akademi in New Delhi. A total number of 988 entries at the national level were received of which 127 have been chosen for display. The number of entries at the international level was 137 of which 50 artists have been selected. A total of 73 artworks of international artists are on display. While, the ‘Eminent Printmakers of India’ show consists of 98 artists were displayed at the NGMA galleries from Monday 26^thMarch till April 22^nd, 2018.
• Madhavpur Mela Organised in Gujarat to celebrate the immortal journey of Rukumini from Arunachal Pradesh to Gujarat: Madhavpur Mela- a diversified cultural festival celebrating the human connection and cultural linkages through the legend of Rukmini and Krishna as depicted in our oral, textual, visual and performing traditions was organised during 25th to 29th March,2018 witnessing folk dance – songs & shopping in full swing. The Mela was organised in the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’ campaign of the Prime Minister and symbolized unity in diversity of the country and established the East to West connect.
• President of India holds first meeting of NIC to celebrate 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi: The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, chaired the first meeting of the National Committee for the Commemoration of the 150^th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, at Rashtrapati Bhavan on May 2, 2018. The Committee has a total of 125 members, including 116 from India and encompasses the President (as chair), the Vice-President, Prime Minister, Union Ministers, former Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers, senior MPs and political leaders from across party lines, and eminent Gandhians, social thinkers and activists representing a cross-section of Indian society and regional diversity. The Committee also has nine international members, including two former Secretaries General of the United Nations – Mr Kofi Annan and Mr Ban Ki-moon – and Nobel laureates Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa and former US Vice-President Al Gore. Meeting was attended by 82 members of the Committee, including two from abroad.
• 9th Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav held in Tehri, Uttarakhand: Continuing its endeavour to promote India’s rich cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture organised 3 day long diversified cultural festival ‘Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav’ festival which was inaugurated on 25th May,2018 by Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat, at Koti Colony, Near Tehri Lake, Uttrakhand,The North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), Patiala was entrusted with the responsibility as the nodal agency to carry forward the execution of the National Cultural Festival under the banner of the slogan “EK BHARAT SHRESHTHA BHARAT”.
• Kabir Mahotsav held in Maghar, Uttar Pradesh: The two day ‘Kabir Mahotsav’ organized by the Ministry of Culture to commemorate the 500^thyear of death anniversary (punya tithi) of 15^th century poet-saint Kabir was organised during 28th and 29th June,2018 with much fanfare in Maghar, Sant Kabir Nagar District of Uttar Pradesh. .In its journey of 2 days in Maghar, Sant Kabir Nagar, Uttar Pradesh the festival was graced and addressed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 28th June,2018.The two day festival was organized by the Ministry of Culture to portray the glory of Kabir’s literature and his message of oneness uniting all sections of the society. Various folk music and dance along with musical and theatrical performances were presented in which artists and artisans from all over the country participated celebrating the plural traditions of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

• Prime Minister inaugurated Dharohar Bhawan- A new ASI Building Headquartrer: The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, inaugurated ‘Dharohar Bhawan’ – the new Headquarters building of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), – at 24, Tilak Marg in New Delhi on 12th July,2018.. The new Headquarters building of ASI has been equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including energy efficient lighting and rainwater harvesting. It includes a Central Archaeological Library with a collection of about 1.5 lakh books and journals. The library is a unique and valuable treasure trove in India and the World for those who are keen to undertake research work in the field of Archaeology, Religious and Cultural perspective of India, India’s ancient past and allied subjects.
• ASI Lifted the Ban on Photography: The Archaeological Survey of India, an organisation under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in an order issued on 12th July,2018, decided to allow photography within the premises of all centrally protected monuments/sites.
• NAI hosted Exhibition on Banned Literature during Freedom Movement: Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Environment Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Mahesh Sharma inaugurated an exhibition entitled ‘Prathibandhit Sahitya mein Swatantrata Sangram’ (Freedom Movement through Proscribed Literature) in the premises of National Archives of India, in New Delhi on 10th August. Exhibition is based on the unique collection of proscribed literature in its possession. This exhibition of proscribed literature was from vast collection of poetry and prose that portrays the nationalistic fervour prevalent in the days of freedom struggle. These were written in almost all the Indian languages such as Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu Urdu, Assamese etc. which included speeches, articles, essays etc. and published in different parts of the country.
• Government of India Launches Seva Bhoj Yojana: The Ministry of Culture, Government of India has launched the new scheme namely ‘Seva Bhoj Yojna’ on 01.08.2018, with a total outlay of Rs. 325.00 Crores for Financial Years 2018-19 and 2019-20. The scheme envisages to reimburse the Central Government share of Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Integrated Goods and Service Tax (IGST)so as to lessen the financial burden of such as Religious / Charitable Institutions who provide Food/Prasad/Langar (Community Kitchen)/Bhandara free of cost without any discrimination to Public/Devotees.
• President launched Logo and Portal for commemoration of 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi: The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind launched the logo and the web portal for commemoration of 150^th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, at Rashtrapati Bhawan . The webportal is participatory in nature and all the participating organizations will be able to upload their activities regarding commemoration on the website. It also has a unique feature Gandhipedia which will be a repository of Gandhian knowledge and will continue to grow with time.
• The two year long celebrations from 2^nd October, 2018 to 02^nd October, 2020 will be held across the country and all over the globe to mark the 150^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
• Foundation stone laid for Museum on Prime Ministers of India in Delhi: A “Museum on Prime Ministers of India” is to be set up in Delhi. Union Minister for Culture Dr. Mahesh and Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Hardeep Singh Puri laid the Foundation stone for proposed Museumat Teen Murti Estate, in New Delhi, on 15th October,2018. The proposed Museum is to depict Modern India through collections relating to each of the Prime Ministers of India, their lives, works and significant contributions made towards nation building. It will provide an interactive and informative experience to the visitors and youth of India through state of the art audio-visual technology and effective modes of communication.
• Celebration of 75th Anniversary of Formation of Azad Hind Government in the Presence of Prime Minister: Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on 21st October,2018, hoisted the National Flag at Red Fort and unveiled the plaque to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of formation of Azad Hind Government, formed by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The commemoration of this significant historical event was also attended by Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Culture(I/c), Shri Chandra Kumar Bose, nephew of Netaji, Shri Lalti Ram, INA Veteran and Brig. R.S. Chikkara.Prime Minister congratulated the nation on the proud occasion of 75^thanniversary of formation of Azad Hind Government.
• Tagore Culture Award Declared for the years of 2014, 2015 & 2016: The Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony for the years 2014, 2015 & 2016 was conferred on the doyen of Manipuri dance Sh. Rajkumar Singhajit Singh; Chhayanaut (a cultural organization of Bangladesh) and on one of India’s greatest sculptors, Sh. Ram Vanji Sutar, respectively.The Jury under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister, Sh Narendra Modi and comprising of the Chief Justice of India, Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Shri N. Gopalaswami & Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe after detailed discussions on 24^th October, 2018 unanimously decided to select Sh. Rajkumar Singhajit Singh, Chhayanaut and Sh. Ram Vanji Sutar to be the recipients of the Tagore Award for the years 2014, 2015 & 2016 respectively, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to cultural harmony.
• 550th Birth Anniversary Celebration of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji: Government of India has decided to commemorate 550^th Birth Anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji from November, 2018 at national as well as international level in a befitting manner. The Year long Celebration starting Novmber 23rd this year will include a number of commemorative as well as constructive activities will be taken up during the commemoration period. A number of religious activities like kirtan, katha, prabhat pheri, langar and educational activities such as seminars, workshops, lectures etc. will be organised. SGPC, Amritsar will be the knowledge partner of the Government of India. Commemorative coin and postage stamp will also be released.Chairs in the name of Sh. Guru Nanak Dev Ji will be set up in UK and Canada. An international seminar will also be organised. A National Institute of Inter Faith Studies will be set up in Punjab.
• South Asia Regional Peace Conference organised by GSDS: Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti (GSDS), has organized a 3 day ‘South Asia Regional Youth Peace Conference’ in partnership with UNESCO- MGIEP and Standing Together to Enable Peace from November 28-30, 2018. The conference held at Gandhi Darshan, Rajghat, Delhi, India. The conference was organized to mark the beginning of celebration of 150^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.