National Culture Fund
The Union Minister for Culture recently discussed the National Culture Fund's functioning in the Lok Sabha session.
- The National Culture Fund (NCF) is a trust that facilitates donor institutions in supporting the protection, restoration, conservation, and development of India's tangible and intangible cultural heritage in partnership with the government.
- Nodal Ministry- Ministry of Culture.
- Establishment- As a Trust under the Charitable Endowment Act, 1890 in 1996.
- Objectives- Manage and utilize the Fund for the conservation, maintenance, promotion, protection, preservation, and enhancement of monuments.
- Provide training and support the development of specialists and cultural administrators.
- Expand existing museums and build new ones to create or accommodate special galleries.
- Document cultural expressions and forms that are becoming obsolete or facing extinction.
- Composition- The NCF is managed by a Governing Council chaired by the Minister of Culture, with up to 25 members to set policies.
- An Executive Committee led by the Secretary of Culture, with up to 11 members, executes these policies.
- Role of NCF- NCF partners with Corporations, NGOs, etc., to implement heritage preservation projects, allowing donors to specify project details, locations, and implementing agencies.
- To prevent delays in PPP projects, the Project Implementation Committee, led by the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India or Ministry of Culture officials, regularly monitors progress.
- NCF accepts donations from Corporations, PSUs, Trusts, and Individuals for maintaining and preserving centrally protected monuments and cultural projects.
- Donors must comply with the terms and conditions of the MoU for each project.
References
PIB | National Culture Fund
Humayun’s Tomb
The Union Minister of Culture and Tourism recently inaugurated the Humayun’s Tomb World Heritage Site Museum in New Delhi.
- The tomb is an exemplary piece of Mughal architecture and it was the 1st garden tomb on the Indian subcontinent.
- Construction- Commissioned by Bega Begum in 1569-70 and completed in 1572.
- Architect- Designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyas and his son, Sayyid Muhammad, Persian architects chosen by Bega Begum.
- Design- Represents the synthesis of Persian and Indian architectural styles, a hallmark of Mughal architecture.
- Cultural Influence- Humayun's Tomb inspired the construction of several later Mughal structures, including the Taj Mahal.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site- It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 for its cultural importance and exceptional Mughal architecture.
- Humayun’s Tomb World Heritage Site Museum - The Museum is a facility of the Archaeological Survey of India designed and built in collaboration with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC).
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- Humayun, born Nasir-ud-Din Muhammad Humayun was the second Mughal Emperor.
- He was the son of Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, and the father of Akbar the Great.
- Born- March 6, 1508
- Place of Birth- Kabul, Afghanistan
- Died- January 1556, Delhi
- Humayun played a key role in the development of Mughal painting by bringing Persian artists like Mir Sayyid Ali and Abdal Samad to India.
- Architectural Achievements- He founded Dinapanah, built the Jamali mosque, and started Humayun’s Tomb, completed later by his wife, Hamida Banu Begum.
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References
PIB | Humayun’s Tomb World Heritage Site Museum
Appointment of Governor
Recently, the President appointed new Governors for Rajasthan, Telangana, Maharashtra, Punjab, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Assam, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.
- Constitutional Provision- Article 153 of the Indian Constitution mandates a Governor for each State.
- A 1956 amendment allows the same person to be Governor for multiple States.
- Appointment Procedure- Article 155 specifies that the President appoints the Governor by warrant under their hand and seal.
- According to Article 156, the Governor serves at the President’s pleasure, typically for five years.
- Central Government Influence- The President, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister and Union Council of Ministers, effectively appoints and can remove the Governor.
- Eligibility Criteria- Articles 157 and 158 require the Governor to be:
- An Indian citizen,
- At least 35 years old,
- Not a member of Parliament or state legislature and
- Not holding any other office of profit.
Relationship with State Government
- Advisory Role- The Governor, as per Article 163, acts on the advice of the state’s Council of Ministers, headed by the Chief Minister, except when exercising discretionary functions.
- Powers and Significance- The Governor has significant powers, including assent to state Bills, determining legislative majorities, and calling parties to prove their majority in case of a hung verdict.
References
The Indian Express | Governors
Report on Currency and finance
Recently, the Reserve Bank of India released its Report on Currency and Finance (RCF) for the year 2023-24, highlighting India's role in the global digital revolution.
Highlights of the report
- India is at the forefront of global digital transformation.
- Economic contribution- The digital economy currently accounts for a tenth of India's GDP and is expected to constitute a fifth of India's GDP by 2026 based on growth rates observed over the past decade.
- Internet penetration- In 2023, internet penetration in India reached 55%, with an increase of 199 million internet users over the past three years.
- Data affordability- India has the lowest cost per gigabyte (GB) of data globally, averaging ₹13.32 (US$ 0.16) per GB.
- Mobile data consumption- India has one of the highest mobile data consumption rates in the world, with an average per-user, per-month mobile data consumption of 24.1 GB in 2023.
- Smartphone users- India has about 750 million smartphone users, a number expected to reach approximately one billion by 2026.
- Smartphone manufacturing- India is on track to become the second-largest smartphone manufacturer within the next five years.
- Startup ecosystem- India has the world's third-largest startup ecosystem, with over 1.4 lakh startups and more than 100 unicorns.
- Global rankings- India ranks first in biometric-based identification (Aadhaar) and real-time payments volume and second in telecom subscribers.
- FinTech and digital payments- India has embraced financial technology (FinTech) by speeding up digital payments comprising biometric identification, UPI, mobile connectivity, digital lockers, and consent-based data sharing.
References
- The Hindu | India at forefront of digital revolution
- The Indian Express | RBI report
