IGNCA signed MoU with BSIP to mark India’s Unified Platform for Science and Culture

• August 13, 2025

Source: Press Information Bureau

The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi, an autonomous trust under the Ministry of Culture, along with the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at IGNCA, New Delhi. The MoU represents the first initiative in India to integrate science and culture on a unified platform, with the aim of showcasing the nation’s scientific and cultural achievements to both domestic and international audiences. On this occasion, an orientation programme was organised for the students of eleven PG Diploma courses conducted by IGNCA, spanning areas from Cultural Informatics to Indian Literature, with the objective of embedding traditional knowledge within contemporary education. These courses, designed to develop skilled professionals, provide practical training and hands-on experience, fostering a meaningful exchange between learners, experts, and living traditions.

International Manuscript Heritage Conference

• August 11, 2025

Source: Press Information Bureau

The Government proposes to host the first-ever international Manuscript Heritage Conference titled ‘Reclaiming India’s Knowledge Legacy Through Manuscript Heritage’ in September 2025. This event is planned to commemorate the 132nd Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda's historic address at the Parliament of the World's Religions held in Chicago on September 11, 1893.

The conference aims to bring together scholars, historians, manuscript experts, and cultural practitioners from across the world to explore, preserve, and promote India’s vast and diverse Manuscript Heritage. Key themes and focus areas of the conference include:

Decipherment of Ancient Scripts: Indus, Gilgit and Sankha
Survey, Documentation, Metadata Standards and Digital Archiving
Manuscriptology and Paleography, Codicology
Digitization Tools, Platforms, and Protocols (HTR, AI, IIIF)
Conservation and Restoration of Manuscripts
Decoding Manuscripts: Pathways to the Indian Knowledge System
Manuscripts as Tools of Cultural Diplomacy
Legal and Ethical Frameworks for Manuscript Preservation and Access

Restoring balance: Traditional Medicine at the World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2025

• April 30, 2025

Source: World Health Organization

The next World Health Organization (WHO) Traditional Medicine Global Summit, 2–4 December 2025, was unveiled during a keynote plenary session at the World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2025 in New Delhi, India, on 25 April. The session, organized by the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre, brought together government ministers, private sector directors, scientists and United Nations leaders to explore how combining ancient wisdom and modern science can expand access to safe, effective and people-centred Traditional Medicine (TM) and strengthen global health equity.

National Ayush Mission Conclave 2025: States and UTs Collaborate to Strengthen Traditional Healthcare Delivery Across India

• April 29, 2025

Source: Press Information Bureau

The Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, is set to organize the National Ayush Mission (NAM) Conclave 2025 on 1-2 May 2025 at Kaivalyadham, Lonavala, Maharashtra. This transformative 2-day event will serve as a national forum for shaping the future of Ayush-based healthcare in India. Bringing together Ayush experts, policymakers, health professionals, researchers, and innovators, the conclave aims to strengthen integration of traditional Indian medicine systems into mainstream healthcare—making wellness more accessible, affordable, and evidence-driven for the common citizen.

Ambassadors' Meet Organized by MDoNER Garners Huge Support from Foreign Diplomats to Explore Endless Possibilities in NER

• April 16, 2025

Source: Press Information Bureau

In a significant step toward enhancing international cooperation and fostering global investment in India’s vibrant North East, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER)  organized Ambassadors’ Meet  in New Delhi on April 15, 2025.  Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and senior diplomatic representatives from over 80 countries participated . The event was aimed at showcasing the immense potential of the North Eastern Region (NER) and strengthening bilateral ties for sustainable development.

The National Geographic Society and De Beers Group Announce Opening of New Nkashi Knowledge Centre in the Okavango Delta

• April 09, 2025

Source: National Geographic

The National Geographic Society and De Beers Group announced the opening of the Nkashi Knowledge Centre in Beetsha, Botswana, which is proudly supported through their Okavango Eternal partnership. The Nkashi Knowledge Centre in Beetsha provides a vital community hub for all generations. Building on the success of the first Centre in Maun, which opened in 2022 and has welcomed over 3,000 visitors, the new Nkashi Knowledge Centre, funded by Okavango Eternal, will serve the communities of the Okavango Delta’s Eastern Panhandle. This new location in Beetsha expands access to learning and skills development in one of the most remote parts of the Delta — helping support the region’s growing demands for conservation education, vocational training and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Nagaland University gets IKS Research Centre to Preserve and Advance Indigenous Water Management and Culinary Knowledge

• April 07, 2025

Source: Hub News

In a major boost to traditional knowledge research in the Northeast, the Ministry of Education, through its Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) division under AICTE, has sanctioned an IKS Research Centre at Nagaland University. This new initiative will focus on studying and preserving the indigenous water management practices in agriculture and the ethnic culinary traditions of Nagaland’s tribal communities.

Nagaland University, the only central university in the state, will now serve as a hub for exploring how indigenous communities sustainably manage their natural resources and maintain culinary heritage rooted in generations of lived experience. The project aligns with a national push to integrate India’s diverse traditional knowledge systems into contemporary research and education.

TERI chief calls for indigenous crop preservation, sustainable agriculture in Assam

• April 01, 2025

Source: Hub News

High-yielding native crop varieties and disease-free mother plants are essential for quality saplings, better production, and societal well-being, stated Dr. Vibha Dhawan, Director General of the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), during a stakeholder consultation program at Udalguri, Assam.

Dr. Dhawan stressed the importance of soil health improvement and the promotion of drought-resilient crops at the consultation, which was organized by Aaranyak, a premier biodiversity conservation organization. The event was part of a GEF-UNDP Small Grants Programme (Operational Phase 7) project aimed at fostering human-elephant coexistence (HEC) and biodiversity conservation in the region.

Parliament Question: Promoting Livelihood of Rural Women through Sericulture

• April 01, 2025

Source: Press Information Bureau

The Government through Central Silk Board has been implementing the Silk Samagra-2 scheme with an outlay of Rs.4,679.85 crore for the overall development of sericulture industry throughout  the country, which covers around  55 -60% participation of women beneficiaries.

Central schemes like Silk Samagra, Silk Samagra-2 and North East Region Textile Promotion Scheme (NERTPS) have been implemented wherein, extended assistance, training & support to sericulture stakeholders including women is provided through States for the beneficiary oriented components.

Ministry of Textiles implements SAMARTH Scheme for skilling and up-skilling through training in various textile sectors including Silk. Since 2021-22, 7,985 beneficiaries including women has been trained in silk sector under SAMARTH Scheme.   

Parliament Question: Budgetary Allocation to Mega Handloom Clusters

• April 01, 2025

Source: Press Information Bureau

Government of India through the Office of Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles is implementing Mega Cluster Development Programme, a component of National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), all across the country (including Andhra Pradesh State). Under Mega Cluster Development Programme, need based financial assistance upto Rs.30.00 Crore (GOI share) per Mega Handloom Cluster is provided on receipt of complete proposals for various interventions like upgraded looms & accessories, solar lighting units, worksheds, design and product development, marketing support, setting up of common infrastructure such as Value Addition Centre (Garmenting/Apparel unit), Reeling, Processing, Printing units etc.

There is no separate budget allocation for Mega Cluster Development programme however, during financial year 2022-23 to 2024-25, financial assistance of Rs.3,029.327 lakh has been provided for setting up of Mega Handloom Clusters.