Statement of the Culture Secretary of India, Shri Ravindra Singh, on the Occasion of the 3rd Meeting of SAARC Ministers of Culture

I extend a warm welcome to all delegates at the Senior Officers' Meeting, to my fellow Cultures Secretaries and members of SAARC Secretariat, to everyone gathered here at the 3red meeting of the SAARC Culture Ministers. SAARC is a natural outcome of the shared cultural heritage of its members. In fact, I would say that it is perhaps the most natural of all such similar international groupings worldwide. The overlaps in every single area that can be classified under culture - from oral narrative to painting techniques, from literary worlds to music and dance, from archives and libraries to museums - is fascinating to observe. We share centuries of common cultural heritage, common history and deep civilization convergences manifest in many of the dance and other are forms. And yet, in spite of the overlaps, every country has also evolved distinct styles that can continue to facilitate genuine cultural interchange. Closer cultural ties assume great significance since they can prove very valuable in understanding contemporary trends within our societies and equip us better to deal with the challenges therein. The responsibility that has been given to us is tow-fold: 1. Formulation of the Delhi Declaration by the SAARC Ministers of Culture; 2. Revising the SAARC Agenda for Culture The 2006 Agenda for SAARC Culture was comprehensive in its breadth and description. The establishment of the SAARC Culture Centre was a significant positive step. The SAARC Culture Centre is the preeminent institution in the region for dissemination of SAARC culture. In this meeting, I would propose further empowerment of the SAARC Culture Centre for formulation of the SAARC Culture Heritage lists. Transnational nominations forworld heritage sites and preservation of historical monument. I would like to empower the SAARC Culture Centre as a resource institution for Project Mausam to conduct research workshops for countries in the Indian Ocean rim, which have developed common maritime cultural linkages with each other. The furtherance of the SAARC agenda for culture has been proposed in the agenda notes, which India supports whole-heartedly. The major activities envisaged in the agenda, including the strengthening of cultural institutions in member countries, cultural festivals in the region, preservation and conservation practices and promoting literacy and reading habits are all commendable initiatives. India is willing to commit itself to instituting a technical assistance programme for strengthening SAARC cultural institutions through the Archaeological Survey of India, National Archives f India, the National Museum and the National Gallery of Modern Art. We would also seek to promote greater collaboration between our cultural institutions for performing arts, literature and visual arts, namely the sangeet Natak Akademi, the Sahitya Akademil and the Lalit Kala Akademi with their counterpart institutions. The National Mission on Libraries, which seeks to establish the National Virtual Library of India, would provide digital space for promotion of SAARC Culture online. Cricket connects the people of the region like no other sports does. To celebrate the cricketing heritage of the subcontinent, India had proposed to conduct the 'Cricket Connects' Exhibition in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. We have received positive responses from many countries to conduct the exhibition. The declaration of 2016-17 as the SAARC Year of Cultural Heritage is a significant initiative. The draft Delhi Declaration will focus on the activities to be taken up in a three-year time-frame, as also in the year 2016-17. I look forward to cordial and constructive discussions through the day to take the agenda forward. YSK/ Uma

Statement of the Culture Secretary of India, Shri Ravindra Singh, on the Occasion of the 3rd Meeting of SAARC Ministers of Culture

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