IMPHAL, June 2: `I am happy to announce that the North East Cultural Centre (NECC) will be established within the complex of Centre for Cultural Resources & Training (CCRT) at Dwarka, New Delhi.
This is one of the outcomes subsequent to the discussions of Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh with a delegation of students from the region in December, 2009`, said Bijoy Krishna Handique, union minister of DoNER at New Delhi today.
The ministry of DoNER had taken up with the ministry of Culture for helping in the establishment of the centre, stated a statement of the DoNER ministry.
It has further added that after several rounds of discussions between officials of concerned ministries, it was decided to start NECC in the campus of Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) at Dwarka. Ministry of DoNER and the North Eastern Council will arrange funds for organising a series of events within this financial year, through active involvement of the people from NER residing at Delhi and NCR, it added.
Handique also said that the NECC will be a permanent platform in the national capital for cultural exchange not only among the people of the North East living in Delhi but also with those from other parts of the country, the statement added.
Meanwhile an emailed statement of the Manipur Information Centre New Delhi, has added that the government of India will set up a North East Cultural Centre at the national capital to promote the rich and diverse culture and heritage of the North Eastern region of India.
It has further added that the ministry of DoNER and the North Eastern Council will arrange funds for organising a series of events within this financial year 2011-12, through active involvement of the people from North East States residing at Delhi and the National Capital Region.
According to the statement, Handique also said that the NECC would be a permanent platform in the national capital for cultural exchange not only among the people of the North East living in Delhi but also with those from other parts of the country.
The Centre for Cultural Resources and Training was set up in May 1979 in Dwarka, New Delhi as an autonomous organisation by the Government of India under the administrative control of Ministry of Culture, Government of India is one of the premier institutions working in the field of linking education with culture, the statement added.
The broad objectives of CCRT are to revitalise the education system by creating an understanding and awareness among students about the plurality of the regional cultures of India and integrating this knowledge with education.
The main thrust is on linking education with culture and making students aware of the importance of culture in all development programmes, it stated.
The statement further stated that one of the most important functions of CCRT is to implement the Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme, which was taken over from the Department of Culture in 1982. The scheme provides scholarships to outstanding children in the age group of 10 to 14 years, studying either in recognised schools or belonging to families practicing traditional performing or other arts to develop their talent in various cultural fields particularly in rare art forms. The scholarships continue till the age of 20 years or the first year of a University degree. About 350 scholarships are offered every year, it ended.
