The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has recently decided to broaden India’s cultural influence worldwide by leveraging the experiences of international students studying in India. This strategy is an example of soft power diplomacy, where students who return to their own countries after studying in India help disseminate Indian culture and heritage.
Initiatives by ICCR to Expand India’s Cultural Footprint
The ICCR is introducing E-3 or Exit Engagement Evenings with international students. These engagement programs will begin three to four months before the conclusion of their courses across various Central and State universities, institutes, and agricultural colleges in the country. The ICCR believes that these interactions will motivate students to promote India’s distinctive culture and heritage upon returning to their home nations.
Furthermore, this initiative also includes visits to places of national importance. To ensure the success of these evenings, the ICCR has partnered with the Khadi Commission, the Indian Tourism Development Corporation, and the Department of AYUSH. In order to maintain a connection with international students who have studied in India, the ICCR launched the India Alumni Portal in April 2022.
Current Status of Foreign Students Enrolling in India
According to the latest All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) released by the Ministry of Education, the number of international students enrolled in Indian higher education institutions was 48,035 in 2020-21, slightly down from 49,348 in 2019-20. India attracts students from over 160 countries, with the majority from Nepal, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the U.S., the UAE, Bhutan, Sudan, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Yemen.
Functions of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations
The ICCR is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India. It was established in 1950 with a mandate to promote Indian culture and values abroad and to foster cultural exchanges between India and other nations.
The ICCR is tasked with organizing cultural festivals, performances, exhibitions, and lectures in India and overseas. It also provides scholarships to international students for studying in India and offers courses in Indian music, dance, yoga, and languages. Since 2015, the ICCR has been responsible for facilitating the celebration of the International Day of Yoga by Indian Missions/Posts abroad. In addition, it collaborates with international organizations, cultural institutions, and foreign governments to promote cultural exchanges.
The ICCR also recognizes individuals or organizations through various awards such as the Distinguished Indologist Award, World Sanskrit Award, Distinguished Alumni Award – Citation and Plaque, and Gisela Bonn Award.
Awards of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
Among the accolades presented by the ICCR are the Distinguished Indologist Award, the World Sanskrit Award, the Distinguished Alumni Award – Citation and Plaque, and the Gisela Bonn Award. These awards honor individual or collective achievements in cultural relations, Indology, and the promotion of Indian culture and heritage globally.
