The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is an autonomous organization of the Government of India, involved in India’s external cultural relations, through cultural exchange with other countries and their peoples. It was founded on 9 April 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister of independent India.
Purpose
The ICCR’s objectives are to actively participate in the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes pertaining to India’s external cultural relations; to foster and strengthen cultural relations and mutual understanding between India and other countries; to promote cultural exchanges with other countries and peoples; and to develop relations with nations.
Activities
The ICCR organizes a spectrum of cultural activities within India and abroad. These include:
- Cultural Exchanges: The ICCR sponsors visits of Indian cultural troupes overseas and brings visiting troupes from abroad to India.
- Exhibitions: The ICCR organizes exhibitions of Indian art, photographs, books, handicrafts, etc. in other countries and also sponsors similar exhibitions of other countries in India.
- Seminars and Symposia: The ICCR organizes and supports seminars, symposia, and conferences on subjects related to the arts, culture, and civilization of India both in India and abroad.
- Distinguished Visitors Programme: Under this programme, the ICCR invites eminent personalities from abroad to visit India and interact with their Indian counterparts.
- Chairs of Indian Studies Abroad: The ICCR has established Chairs of Indian Studies in various foreign universities to promote Indian studies abroad.
- Scholarship Schemes: The ICCR offers scholarships to foreign students for studying Indian dance, music, art, culture, and languages in India.