Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar programme

Feb. 6, 2024

Recently, the Union Minister for Culture, Tourism And Development of North Eastern Region informed the Lok Sabha about the Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar programme.

About Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar programme:

  • It is a pan-India initiative of the Ministry of Culture under the National Mission on Cultural Mapping and was launched on 27th July 2023. 
  • It seeks to compile comprehensive information detailing the life, history, and ethos of Indian villages and to make the same available to virtual and real-time visitors.
  • Under the MGMD, information is collected under seven broad categories as given below-
    • Arts and Crafts Village
    • Ecologically Oriented Village
    • Scholastic Village Linked with Textual and Scriptural Traditions of India
    • Epic Village linked with Ramayana, Mahabharata and/or Puranic legends and oral epics
    • Historical Village linked with Local and National History
    • Architectural Heritage Village
    • Any other characteristic that may need highlighting such as fishing village, horticulture village, shepherding village etc.
  • Objective: The main objective of the project is to culturally map India's 6.5 lakh villages, spanning 29 States and 7 Union Territories, on a comprehensive virtual platform.
  • Through MGMD, people will get an opportunity to immerse themselves in the diverse and vibrant cultural heritage of India.
  • The core idea behind this project is to encourage appreciation for India's culture and traditions, paving the way for economic growth, social harmony, and artistic development in rural communities.
  • The financial outlay of Rs.353.46 Crore is approved under the scheme of Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture consisting of 08 scheme components namely;
    • Financial Assistance to Cultural organisations with National Presence
    • Cultural Function & Production Grant (CFPG)
    • Financial Assistance for the Preservation & Development of Cultural Heritage of the Himalayas
    • Financial Assistance for the Preservation & Development of Buddhist/Tibetan Organization
    • Financial Assistance for Building Grants including Studio Theatres
    • Financial Assistance For Allied Cultural Activities
    • Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage