ICCR

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), is an autonomous organisation of the Government of India, involved in India’s global cultural relations, through cultural exchange with other countries and their people. It was founded on 9 April 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister of independent India.

Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe was appointed as President of Indian Council for Cultural Relations in 2018, and completed five years as President, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) on 01 January 2023.

Presumably, for the first time in the history of ICCR, Hon’ble Prime Minister took keen interest and personally reviewed the overall functioning of ICCR. He Chaired a Meeting held on 13 July 2020 which was, among others; attended by Hon’ble External Affairs Minister and Hon’ble Culture Minister, where a presentation on ICCR- Past, Present and Future was made.

During the last five years, with the help of ICCR Officials, the focus mainly has been on three things. Firstly, it was about attempting Systemic Changes; secondly, working for Enrichment of Activity Profile; and thirdly, it was also about acquiring New Dimensions through New Initiatives to the institutional profile of the ICCR.

Details of what has been attempted and achieved are as follows: –

Systemic Changes
Enrichment of Activity Profile
New Dimensions through New Initiatives

Re-articulation of “ICCR’s Vision and Mission” – Draft of a New Vision and Mission Document for ICCR was prepared and circulated about two-and-half year ago. This draft was adopted at ICCR’s Governing Body meeting, which was held in the month of November 2020.

Review and modification of the Constitution of ICCR – ICCR was established in 1950 when the concepts like Soft Power or Track-2 Diplomacy were not in vogue. Global conditions for Cultural Diplomacy too have undergone huge changes. In view of this, it was essential to undertake a thorough review of the Constitution of ICCR. A Committee has been set up to undertake this review and suggest modifications.

Introducing the Concept of Three Year Country Specific Plans for Cultural Relationship – At the Annual Conference of Heads of Missions (HOMs) in 2018; we have mooted the idea of preparing the Three Year Country Specific Plan for India’s Cultural Relations with the respective country. HOMs have responded positively to this idea. Later, at a first-of-its kind meeting between ICCR Office bearers and Territorial Heads of MEA, held on 2 January 2019 this idea was discussed further. With this plan, ICCR will be able to have a more structured, result oriented programs and projects undertaken. Consultative Meetings like this will go a long was to have greater commonality of approach in setting up the agenda of the ICCR.

Re-Demarcation of Responsibilities of Apex Level Officers – In view of the fact that ICCR Mission, at the functional level; covers mainly three areas viz. General Administration, Academic Activities and Cultural Programmes; re-demarcation of functional responsibilities has been done amongst the three Deputy Director Generals (DDGs).

Restructuring of ICCR Network – Considering the better utilization of resources and management of work, ICCR has restructured its 18 Regional Offices present in the different regions of country into five zonal office, four sub-zonal office and two regional passport office. ICCR Regional Offices mainly deals with the work of disbursement of scholarship to foreign students, and visits of distinguished visitors and cultural programmes in different parts of India.

Introduction of New Policies in key areas – In the following functional areas, New Policy Approaches have been adopted formally.
- New Gift Policy – Formulated with a view to promoting traditional Indian artisans and their exquisite art.
- Policy to Employ Local Teachers for Yoga, Classical Dances, Music or Indian Languages (Not just Hindi and Sanskrit but also any of the recognized Indian Languages) mainly from NRI’s abroad has now been adopted in order to recognize global talent and also save resources.
- Policy to Explore the Possibility of running Indian Cultural Centres abroad on Public Private Partnership Basis, opening yet another window for the participation of NRI communities has now also been adopted.

Systemic Changes for Greater Transparency and Accountability in Award of Scholarships – Every year, ICCR awards close to 3000 Scholarships to foreign students. A slew of reforms are now introduced to make the Award of Scholarships more transparent with a flawless mechanism for accountability. Making Selection of Host Institutions more transparent, Ensuring Direct Transfer of Scholarship Amount to Bank Accounts (DBT) and Introducing an annual Understanding India Course for all the Scholarship Recipient are some of these key reforms.

Un-named Cultural Centres are now Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centres- A policy decision was taken to name all un-named ICCR Centers abroad as Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), as a tribute to the spiritual leader who was also modern India’s first spiritual ambassador.

Building Capacities of ICCR Directors abroad: A new initiative was carried out by ICCR for training the newly selected Directors of Indian Cultural Centres abroad to equip them with diplomatic protocols, administrative and financial system. The Foreign Service Institute facilitated the training programme.

Setting Up of Advisory Panels for all Regional Centres of the ICCR – ICCR has 18 Regional Centres at places like Jammu, Varanasi, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai etc. There has been a provision of Regional Advisory Committees for all these Centres to facilitate a bridge building between the foreign students and the local arts and culture fraternity. However, these bodies were not constituted for a long time. Now, after a gap of several years, Advisory Panels were set up for almost all 19 ICCR Regional Centres at various places all over India. A day-long Orientation Program was held for all these members on 4 April 2019 at the ICCR, HQ at New Delhi.

More inclusive approach in Selection of Artistes to be sent abroad -Systemic Reforms are being introduced in the selection of artistes firstly for empanelment and later for giving an opportunity to present their art talent abroad, while ensuring greater regional as well as social representation. A set of new guidelines for sending troupes abroad has now been adopted.

Standardising Academic Programmes at ICCR Centres Abroad – At many Centres of ICCR abroad, formal/informal Courses in Yoga, Indian Classical Music/Dances and some Indian languages are routinely held. An attempt is being made to have these courses more structured and standardised to make them a more serious academic programme. Yoga Courses at all Centres are now standardized.

Launch of UTIKS Platform (Universalisation of Traditional Indian Knowledge Systems) — An innovative initiative of ICCR under which online educational/training courses will be offered on various aspects of Indian culture. There will be a wide ranging variety of topics that UTIKS will cover, including Rangoli, Mehendi, Ramayan, Culinary and Cuisine Traditions, Flora and Fauna in India, Indian Freedom Struggle etc.
Showcasing the success of Democracy and Democratic Governance in India – Democracy being an inseparable part of Indian Culture, a series of Delivering Democracy Seminars was conducted at key opinion-making centres of the world. In all, 7 such Seminars were held where the success of Indian democracy was discussed at length, focusing mainly on governance, and economy and social justice. These Seminars were held at places like Huston, New Jersey and Washington DC (USA) Berlin (Germany) Canberra (Australia), London (UK), and Dubai (UAE).
Leveraging Cultural Relationship for Economic and Strategic Relationships – On the formal suggestion made by the ICCR, NITI Aayog organized two brain storming sessions on “Centrality of Cultural Relationship for greater vibrancy in Diplomatic, Economic and Strategic International Relations” The two sessions chaired by NITI- Aayog’s Vice Chairman Shri Rajiv Kumar was held on 23 May 2019 and earlier on 29 November 2018. Representatives of over half-a-dozen departments participated in them.
Evolving Understanding about the Multi-dimensionality of Yoga- Post establishment of 21st June as International Yoga Day, evolving sound understanding about Yoga as a body of knowledge with multiple dimensions, discussing Yoga academically was very important. Considering this, ICCR has started conducting an International Seminar/Conference on Yoga/ Yoga Studies, every year at some key academic centre. The first two International Seminars were held at New York, USA and London, UK in June 2018 and June 2019 respectively. Representatives from over 20 countries participated in them. Due to Covid-19, the Third International Seminar couldn’t be held in the year 2020. In 2021, to mark the 7th International Yoga Day celebrations in India and the world, ICCR organized UBUNTU: International Yoga Conference (virtual) on the theme “Yoga for Universal Well-being: Finding Commonalities between Indian and African Traditions” on 21-22 June, 2021, with the support from Consulate General of India, Durban, South Africa. A very first of its kind, the international conference was attended by more than 78,000 African Healers from Traditional Healers’ Organization in South Africa and students of IKS-Africa and Yoga throughout the world.Celebrating the 8th edition of the International Day of Yoga 2022, ICCR in collaboration with Wonkwang Digital University, South Korea has organized an international conference on the theme “Yoga & Natural Healthcare for Covid Pandemic (From Prevention to Long-term Rehabilitation)” on June 25, 2022. The academic partner for the conference was SVYASA University, Bangaluru, Karnataka.
Indian Traditional Art and Artisans on ICCR Agenda –
- For the first time, on Rakhi Purnima, Rakhis made of Bamboo and prepared by tribal artisans from Melghat, were distributed to foreign associates of ICCR at various Centres abroad. This has been added as a permanent feature of annual activities of ICCR.
- Again, for the first time, ICCR organized an International Webinar on the theme ‘Weaving Relations; Textile Tradition’ involving traditional weavers and textile artistes from 12 countries, to mark the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The Seminar was held in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Institute of Design (UPID).
- Special mementos of ICCR, signifying India’s rich cultural artwork were designed and got prepared by artisans. These mementos have the insignia of ICCR, built within. These mementos are used by the ICCR as a positive gesture towards its visiting dignitaries. First edition of such memento created in bronze by award winning artisan from Saharanpur, Dilshad Khan; was presented to the Hon’ble President of India.
India in the Eyes of the World: Reviewing references to India in the Text-Books of different countries – Since July 2020, ICCR has embarked upon a new project of reviewing the references to India in the text books of various countries with the help of Indian Missions abroad. So far, review of over 60 countries is almost complete. Analysis of the contents of textbooks is very educative and revealing too, providing inputs for an actionable agenda for perception-correction about India.

Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Memorial Oration – A new annual feature was added in the year 2018. In observance of the World Culture Day of May 21, ICCR has instituted this Annual Oration on any of the subjects pertaining to India’s cultural influence/ soft power.

The following are the details of the five orations held:
- 1st Oration in 2018: Smt. Sushma Swaraj on ‘Soft Power Diplomacy; Strength of India’
- 2nd Oration in 2019: Justice R.C Lahoti on ‘Sanskrit – An Instrument for Promotion of India’s Soft Power’
- 3rd Oration in 2020: Dr. Antonio Morandi, Italy on ‘Ayurveda and Its Relevance Today’.
- 4th Oration in 2021: Dr. Colleen Taylor Sen, USA on ‘Insights into India’s Culinary Traditions’
- 5th Oration in 2022: Smt. Jaya Jaitly on ‘Craft Traditions as India’s Soft Power’
Institution of Annapurna Award – To boost India’s soft power, the ICCR has announced the “Annapurna Award” for Indian restaurants abroad on ‘World Culture Day’ (21 May 2021). This award will be presented to recognise the Indian chefs and restaurateurs which will help create a sustainable ecosystem for the promotion of Indian cuisine.
Tribute to Atal Ji: Remembering the Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the first ex-ICCR President who rose to become the Prime Minister two portraits were inaugurated.
- On Atalji’s first death anniversary, (16 August 2019): Hon’ble Vice President of India Shri M Venkaiah Naidu unveiled the life size portrait of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the Ravindranath Tagore Centre of ICCR at Kolkata.
- On Atalji’s second death anniversary, (16 August 2020): Hon’ble President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind unveiled the portrait of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee at ICCR HQ, New Delhi.
Proposed International Conference on Buddhist Studies and Intl. Award for Eminent Buddhist Scholar – Currently, ICCR is conducting an annual conference/seminar on Indology and also awarding a scholar Indologist of international eminence, every year. From 2021-22, we propose to organize an International Conference on Buddhist Studies and also honour an international scholar every year.
“Kala Vishwa” Programme – To provide opportunities and financial support to struggling traditional folk artists who have not been empanelled with ICCR. During the challenging times of Covid pandemic, ICCR has launched a flagship initiative, “Kala Vishwa” Programme in 2021 which aimed to give artists coming from rural/ remote areas a platform to perform. A number of programmes under this initiative have been organised by ICCR’s Regional Centres across the country.
Promoting the idea of India through short filmmaking – As a part of several activities being organized under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, ICCR has organized an International Film Making Competition on May 09, 2022 for Indian Diaspora community and foreign students in India/ Alumni to share their experience about India in various ways and through multiple media.
Encouraging the global learners of classical Indian music and dance – In order to celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, and to promote India’s rich cultural legacy around the world, ICCR, in recognition with the deep association of various foreign citizens towards India and its culture, has launched Pratibha Sangam Competition on 16 April 2022. This is the first ever global competition for performers from around the world in the categories of classical Indian Music and Dances.
Promoting sustainability and eco-friendly craft culture of India – ICCR for the very first time, organized a craft demonstration and exhibition of renowned Indian craftsman on the theme “Coalescence”: Craft-Culture-Community-Climate. It was exclusively showcased for the diplomatic community, and was organized under Ministry of External Affairs’week-long Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations (21-27 February 2022).Under this programme, a 3-day long Craft Mela (Craft Fair) was held at Chandni Bagh, Bikaner House, New Delhifrom February23-25, 2022.
India Alumni, a single platform for foreign students – On the occasion of ICCR’s 72nd Foundation Day on April 09 2022, India Alumniportal was launched by ICCR. It is a single platform to connect with foreign students around the world who have studied in India.This network will engage foreign students and keep them connected and updated on a dynamic India so they can be the bridges of friendship.
Some recent National Conferences and International Seminars
- International Youth Seminar to mark the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji: An International Youth Seminar was organised on the teachings of the founder of Sikhism and the religion’s contribution in universal well being on November 6, 2019. About 40 international Sikh youth and representatives from 12 countries (USA, UK, Canada, Italy, Australia, Thailand, Singapore etc) and 20 young people from India participated in the seminar followed by a three day takht darshan Yatra to three taints namely Patna Sahib (Patna, Bihar), Golden Temple (Amritsar, Punjab), Hazur Saheb (Nanded, Maharashtra)
- Destination India Conference: A first of its kind National Conference on “Making India Global Education-Destination: Opportunities and Challenges” organized by ICCR, jointly with Savitribai Phule Pune University and Symbiosss International University, Pune. In this conference we have been able to evolve a comprehensive agenda for making India a Global Education Hub and happily, the Ministry of Education too has taken serious cognizance of our recommendations.
- Tilak Seminar: A day-long International Seminar (webinar) was organized jointly with ICSSR, Deccan Education Society and IGNCA on 01 August 2020, Lokmanya Tilak’s 100th death anniversary. Hon’ble Home Minister Shri Amit Shah inaugurated this Webinar on “Lokmanya Tilak: Swaraj to Atmanirbhar Bharat”, while noted economist and journalist and writer Shri S. Gurumurthi delivered the valedictory address.
- Indian cinema and Soft Power: A two-day national seminar on “Indian Cinema and Soft Power” was organised by ICCR in collaboration with FLAME University of Pune on May 3 and 4, 2022. The Seminar discussed various dimensions of Indian cinema as India’s soft power.
- Celebrating 75 years of Indian Independence and its Democratic Traditions – ICCR organized an International Webinar on the topic “Independent India@75: Democratic Traditions” on the occasion of International Day of Democracy on September 15, 2021 under several events being organized under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. The conference witnessed participation of eminent national and international panelist who shared their diverse views.
Instituted two annual Fellowships-In the memory of world famous Indian musicians Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Ustaad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, ICCR has instituted two Fellowships “Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Fellowship and Ustaad Ghulam Mustafa Khan for Music”. These Fellowships will be awarded to foreign musicians/artists/scholars to pursue research in the field of Indian music.
- 1st Pt. Bhimsen Joshi Fellowship for Music – For the year 2021, it has been awarded to Ms. Gabriella Garima Toth of Hungary to pursue research on the topic “Spontaneous Enlightenment Experience in the light of Saraswati Devi in Indian Classical Music & Dance”
- 1st Ustaad Ghulam Mustafa Khan Fellowship for Music – For the year 2021, it has been awarded to Mr. Carsten Wicke of Germany to pursue his research on “A Instrumental Tradition in Transition from Past to Present: Structure and Manufacturing of the Rudra Veena”.
Establishment of ‘Bangabandhu Chair’ at University of Delhi – To reach one of the understandings during Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s State Visit to Bangladesh in March 2021, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ICCR and the University of Delhi was signed on 12 July 2021 to establish ‘Bangabandhu Chair’ which will mark 50 years of liberation of Bangladesh and the Birth Centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. This step will reinforce exchanges in the field of academics, art and culture between the two countries.
Spirituality as Soft Power – A new chapter was opened in the history of 70yr old ICCR, an interactive session on the theme “Spirituality as Soft Power” was organized on 9 November 2021 with the representatives of the internationally acclaimed 19 spiritual organizations of India like Patanjali Yogpeeth, Art of Living, Isha Foundation among others, engaged in the field of values and traditions of Indian spirituality and Vedic knowledge. This is part of ICCR’s ongoing initiatives to create synergy with the organizations engaged in promoting various aspects of Indian culture and traditions abroad.
Launch of “Gen-Next Democracy Network” programme – To celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, ICCR has launched a unique initiative, the “Gen-Next Democracy Network” programme which was launched by Hon’ble Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla on 25 November 2021. Under this new initiative, ICCR has been hosting young, emerging, social and political leaders of 75 democracies across the globe. Under the programme, a total of 196 young leaders from 51 democratic countries have visited India. The first group from eight countries had visited India from November 25 to December 02, 2021, and the latest (eighth group) from 8 countries from March 06 to March 15, 2022.
Taking Indian creative art and artistes across the globe – ICCR and National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) signed the memorandum of understanding on 29 November 2021 for closer cooperation in taking Indian art, artists and craftsmanship across the globe. MoU Signing Ceremony held between NGMA and ICCR and with Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) and Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT).
ICCR calls for Indian Music in Indian skies – In December 2021, ICCR, along with group of music maestros submitted a memorandum to Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri JyotiradityaScindia for playing of Indian music in flights and airports operated by Indian air companies. Subsequently,the Ministry has accepted the ICCR’s request and directed the operators to follow the same.
Pariksha Pe Charcha 2023 – ICCR organized a Pariksha Pe Charcha session for foreign students studying under ICCR Scholarship on January 27, 2023. Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the unique interactive programme, which helped the students to get motivation for examinations, and to learn new techniques for innovative learning solutions. Over 200 ICCR students studying in India participated in the more than two-hour long event.
Elocution and Essay Competition – ICCR, for the first time ever, launched an Essay & Elocution competition for the foreign students studying in India in December 2022. It was open to all International students whether on ICCR Scholarship or studying on self- financed basis. The topics for the competition were related to India’s G20 Presidency, Indian traditional knowledge systems and Indian freedom struggle among others.

Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe

ICCR

ICCR

Explore More

GET IN TOUCH

DELHI OFFICE

THANE OFFICE