Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Culture addressed questions regarding India's participation in the World Expo, Osaka, Japan, focusing on its soft power and cultural renaissance under the theme "Designing Future Society for Our Lives." The Indian Pavilion, curated by the IGNCA, showcases India's civilizational strengths and vision for a sustainable future, aligning with the Expo's goals of addressing global challenges and promoting sustainable development. The IGNCA played a key role in conceptualizing and presenting India's heritage through modern storytelling.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **World Expo Overview:**
* Held every five years for six months.
* Showcases innovations and fosters exchange between nations and cultures to address global challenges.
* Aims to create a "Living Lab" for cocreating solutions for global issues, including SDGs.
* **India's Participation:**
* India is focusing on its soft power and showcasing a cultural renaissance.
* Theme: "Designing Future Society for Our Lives."
* Emphasizes civilizational strengths and a vision for a sustainable and harmonious global future.
* **Indian Pavilion (Curated by IGNCA):**
* Offers an immersive civilizational experience rooted in the Bodhi stream.
* Highlights narratives of compassion, interconnectedness, and ancient wisdom.
* Combines traditional narratives with modern technology.
* **IGNCA's Role:**
* Acts as a modern-day Sutradhar (narrator) from conceptualization to storytelling.
* Presents India's philosophical heritage in a contemporary context through multimedia.
* Weaves India's ancient wisdom with contemporary aspirations.
* **Funding and Execution:**
* Funding for the Bharat Pavilion was provided by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO).
* IGNCA executed the project.
Impact Analysis:
**IGNCA:**
* Impact: Responsible for curating and executing the Indian Pavilion, showcasing India's cultural heritage and vision for the future.
* Action Required: Continue to present India's philosophical heritage in a contemporary context, ensuring alignment with the Expo's objectives and the "Designing Future Society for Our Lives" theme.
**India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO):**
* Impact: Provided the funding for the Bharat Pavilion at the World Expo, Osaka.
* Action Required: Ensure continued financial support and oversight for India's participation in the World Expo, Osaka.
**Ministry of Culture:**
* Impact: Oversees India's participation in the World Expo, promoting cultural exchange and showcasing India's soft power on a global stage.
* Action Required: Continue to support and monitor India's engagement in the Expo, ensuring it aligns with national objectives and promotes India's cultural renaissance.
Key Entities Referenced
Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA): An autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, responsible for curating the Indian Pavilion at the World Expo, Osaka.
World Expo, Osaka, Japan: An international exposition held in Osaka, Japan, where India showcased its cultural heritage and innovations.
Designing Future Society for Our Lives: The theme under which India participated in the World Expo, Osaka, Japan, focusing on showcasing a cultural renaissance.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all". The Expo 2025 aims to function as a "Living Lab "where participants engage in cocreation of solutions for global issues, especially in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals SDGs.
Bodhi stream: A metaphorical stream representing compassion and wisdom, central to the narrative of the Indian Pavilion at the World Expo.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: The Minister of Culture and Tourism who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question regarding India's participation in the World Expo.
India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO): The organization that provided funding for the Bharat Pavilion at the World Expo, Osaka.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the unstarred question regarding IGNCA at World Expo, Osaka, Japan was raised.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1261
TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
IGNCA at World Expo, Osaka, Japan
1261. Smt. D. K. Aruna:
Shri Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy:
Shri Eatala Rajender:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) Whether it is a fact that India has focused on its soft power and showcased a cultural
renaissance which carries theme “Designing future society for our lives” while nations
across globe are displaying their modern night at World Expo, Osaka, Japan and if so, the
details thereof;
(b) Whether it is a fact that the said international event held every five years for six months,
focuses on showcasing innovations and fostering exchange between nations and cultures to
address global challenges and if so, the details thereof;
(c) Whether the said Expo aims to create a “Living Lab” where diverse participants come
together to co-create and implement solutions for global issues, including Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) during the current year and if so, the details thereof;
(d) Whether the Indian pavilion curated by the Indira Gandhi national Centre for the Arts
(IGNCA) is described as an “immersive civilisational experience, rooting India’s global
identity in compassion and flowing wisdom of Bodhi stream and if so, the details thereof,
(e) Whether the IGNCA has played role of a modern-day Sutradhar (narrator) from
conceptualization to storytelling stringing together India’s ancient philosophies and
contemporary ambition; and
(f) if so, the details thereof, along with and funds utilized?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) India has highlighted its rich cultural heritage and soft power at the ongoing World Expo,
Osaka, Japan under the theme "Designing Future Society for Our Lives". India’s participation
contributes significantly to showcase cultural renaissance and promote international culturaldialogue. The Indian Pavilion emphasizes civilizational strengths and India's unique vision for a
sustainable and harmonious global future based on international peace and cooperation.
(b) The World Expo is held every five years for a duration of six months. The World Expo
serves as a platform for nations to present innovations and collaborative solutions to global
challenges. India’s representation reflects this spirit through a balance of tradition and
technological innovation and provides a global platform to foster innovation, cultural exchange,
and collaborative responses to pressing global challenges. The 2025 Osaka Expo focuses on
building a future society and sustainable development.
(c) The Expo 2025 aims to function as a "Living Lab "where international participants,
including India, engage in co-creation of solutions for global issues, especially in alignment with
the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). India’s contributions in this regard
include themes such as health, well-being, sustainability, and cultural heritage.
(d) The Indian Pavilion curated by the IGNCA offers an immersive civilizational experience, at
the Indian Pavilion. Rooted in the Bodhi stream, the installation highlights narratives of
compassion, interconnectedness, and ancient wisdom using storytelling, digital interaction, and
soundscape, showcasing India as a knowledge society. It combines traditional narratives with
modern technology to create an engaging experience.
(e) & (f) IGNCA’s participation reflects its role as a modern-day Sutradhaar (narrator),
presenting India’s philosophical heritage in a contemporary context through multimedia. The
funding for the Bharat Pavilion at World Expo, Osaka was provided by India Trade Promotion
Organisation (ITPO). The IGNCA executed the project in alignment with the assigned
responsibility. IGNCA has been successful in seamlessly weaving India’s ancient wisdom with
its contemporary aspirations through storytelling, visuals, and multimedia exhibits. The Pavilion
illustrates India’s timeless values and their relevance in addressing future global challenges.
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