Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Culture's Mera Gaon Mera Dharohar (MGMD) program, under the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM) led by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), aims to document the cultural heritage of 6.5 lakh villages in India. Launched in June 2023 as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the MGMD portal currently features cultural portfolios of 4.7 lakh villages, with 5,917 out of 41,116 villages mapped in West Bengal. The program has not yet allocated or sanctioned any financial assistance.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Program Objectives and Scope:**
* The MGMD program aims to preserve and promote India's cultural heritage and revitalize rural economics through cultural mapping.
* The MGMD portal documents oral traditions, beliefs, customs, historical significance, art forms, traditional food, artists, fairs, festivals, dress, ornaments, and landmarks.
* The program includes cultural expressions of marginalized communities and lesser-known traditions.
* **Implementation and Progress:**
* The target is to map the cultural heritage of 6.5 lakh villages across India.
* As of now, 4.7 lakh villages are live on the MGMD portal.
* In West Bengal, 5,917 villages have been mapped, with 35,199 villages in active documentation.
* **Financial Aspects:**
* No financial assistance has been allocated or sanctioned for the program's implementation, including Tamil Nadu.
* **Cultural Preservation:**
* Data from 4.7 lakh villages on the MGMD Web Portal will help identify and document intangible cultural heritage, including traditional art forms, rituals, and folk performances.
* **Assessment and Expansion:**
* No assessments or surveys have been conducted to measure the program's success in cultural preservation and community engagement.
* There are no specific details provided regarding steps to expand the reach of the program.
Impact Analysis:
Ministry of Culture and Tourism:
* Impact: Responsible for overseeing and implementing the MGMD program and the NMCM.
* Action Required: Continue to oversee the NMCM program, and ensure the remaining villages are mapped, continue to preserve and promote India’s cultural heritage.
Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA):
* Impact: Implementing agency for the NMCM and MGMD programs.
* Action Required: Continue documenting and uploading cultural information from the remaining villages to the MGMD portal, and continue supporting the Ministry of Culture.
Villages and Rural Communities:
* Impact: Benefit from the preservation and promotion of their cultural heritage and potential revitalization of their local economies.
* Action Required: Cooperate with the mapping efforts by providing information about their cultural heritage.
West Bengal:
* Impact: A large number of villages (41,116) are targeted for cultural mapping under the MGMD program.
* Action Required: Support the ongoing documentation process for the remaining 35,199 villages.
Tamil Nadu:
* Impact: Included in the nationwide program but has not received any specific financial assistance yet.
* Action Required: Await potential future financial allocations for the program's implementation.
Key Entities Referenced
Mera Gaon Mera Dharohar MGMD programme: A programme by the Ministry of Culture to document the cultural heritage of villages in India as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative.
Ministry of Culture: The Indian government ministry responsible for the preservation and promotion of India's cultural heritage.
SHRI KHALILUR RAHAMAN: Member of Parliament who raised a question about the Mera Gaon Mera Dharohar programme in Lok Sabha.
SHRI THARANIVENTHAN M S: Another Member of Parliament who raised a question about the Mera Gaon Mera Dharohar programme in Lok Sabha.
West Bengal: A state in India with 41,116 villages targeted for cultural mapping under the MGMD programme.
Tamil Nadu: A state in India for which no financial assistance has been allocated/sanctioned for the implementation of the MGMD programme.
National Mission on Cultural Mapping NMCM: A mission established by the Ministry of Culture to document India's cultural heritage and revitalize rural economics.
Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts IGNCA: The organization implementing the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTIONNo.1192
TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
MERA GAON MERA DHAROHAR PROGRAMME
1192. SHRI KHALILUR RAHAMAN:
SHRI THARANIVENTHAN M S:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) the details along with objectives of Mera Gaon Mera Dharohar (MGMD)
programme;
(b) the details of the number of villages to be connected throughout the country
particularly in West Bengal along with the timeline to achieve the same;
(c) the details of the financial assistance allocated and sanctioned for the
implementation of the said programme in the country particularly in Tamil Nadu so far;
(d) the manner in which the said programme ensures the sustainable preservation of
intangible cultural heritage, including traditional art forms, rituals and folk performances;
(e) whether the Government has conducted any assessments or surveys to measure
the success of the said programme in terms of cultural preservation and community
engagement and if so, the details thereof; and
(f) the details of the steps taken/being taken to expand the reach of the said
programme to more villages, particularly those located in remote and underserved areas?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) To preserve and promote India’s rich cultural heritage, the Ministry of Culture has
established the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM). Implemented by the
Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), the mission aims to document
India’s cultural heritage and its potential to revitalize rural economics.
As a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, NMCM launched Mera Gaon Meri
Dharohar (MGMD) portal in June 2023 (https://mgmd.gov.in/). This initiative aims to
document the cultural heritage of 6.5 lakh villages of India. Currently, 4.7 lakh villages
are live on the portal with their respective cultural portfolios.The MGMD portal captures a wide range of cultural elements, including oral
traditions, beliefs, customs, historical significance, art forms, traditional food, prominent
artists, fairs and festivals, traditional dress, ornaments and local landmarks. This Portal
also includes the cultural expressions of India’s marginalized communities and lesser-
known traditions across the country.
NMCM is a significant step towards preserving India’s cultural heritage and
empowering rural communities. By documenting and promoting cultural assets, the
mission aims to strengthen cultural identity and foster economic development.
(b) The total number of villages targeted for cultural mapping across the country
under the MGMD programme is 6.5 lakh, including 41,116 villages in the state of West
Bengal. As of now, 5,917 villages in West Bengal have mapped, and corresponding data
has been uploaded on the MGMD Web Portal. The remaining 35,199 villages are in
active documentation process.
(c) So far, no financial assistance has been allocated/sanctioned for implementation
of the said programme, state-wise including Tamil Nadu.
(d) Currently, the data of 4.7 lakh villages have been uploaded on the MGMD Web
Portal. The data would help in identifying and documenting preservation of intangible
cultural heritage, including traditional art forms, rituals and folk performances;
(e)& (f) No.
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