On 9th April 2020, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) marked its 70th foundation day. However, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the decision was made not to hold any celebrations. The ICCR is a significant institution in the realm of India’s soft power, focusing on areas such as Indian literature, artisans and Ayurveda which have so far been largely neglected.
ICCR’s Role in Promoting Indian Culture Globally
The ICCR, an autonomous organisation overseen by the Government of India, is instrumental in promoting India’s external cultural relations through cultural exchanges with other countries and their peoples. It operates 36 cultural centres worldwide with the vision to establish India as a hub of higher education. These centres continue to offer classes in classical dance, music, Hindi, and Sanskrit through digital platforms like Skype amid the Covid-19 crisis.
Origin and Responsibility of ICCR
Founded in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister of independent India, ICCR has been tasked since 2015 with facilitating the celebration of the International Day of Yoga by Indian Missions/Posts abroad. The council also confers several awards on foreign nationals to recognise their contributions to various fields, as part of its mandate to promote India’s cultural relations.
Recognizing Contributions to Indian Studies: Awards by ICCR
Among notable awards instituted by ICCR are the “ICCR Distinguished Indologist Award” and the “World Sanskrit Award”, given to foreign scholars for their contributions to the study, teaching, and research in Indian Studies and Sanskrit respectively. The “Distinguished Alumni Award” recognizes achievements of foreign students who studied in India, while the annual “Gisela Bonn Award” acknowledges contributions to Indo-German relations.
The Founder: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, born on 11th November 1888 in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, was a skilled debater and a strong advocate for Hindu-Muslim unity. He was against the partition of India and played a significant role in fostering unity between the two communities through his weekly Urdu journal, Al-Hilal. Additionally, he made notable contributions to the Indian National Congress and was a champion of universal education.
Contribution to Education and Culture: Maulana Azad
As India’s first education minister after independence in 1947 until his death in 1958, Azad worked extensively for the country’s upliftment. Several renowned institutions were established during his tenure, including the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. He also facilitated the formation of academic bodies such as Sahitya Academy (for literature), Sangeet Natak Academy (for music and dance), and Lalit Kala Academy (for painting). His immense contributions to Indian society were recognised posthumously with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, in 1992.
Maulana Azad: A Champion of Universal Education and Cultural Integration
A firm believer in the fusion of Eastern and Western concepts, Maulana Azad envisioned an educational system that emphasized both spiritual excellence and societal progress. His works include Basic Concept of Quran, Ghubar-eKhatir, Dars-e-Wafa, and India Wins Freedom, among others. His tenure as the education minister saw the establishment of several institutes to advance science education in the country. These include the Scientific Research Institute, Indian Councils for Agriculture, Medical, Historical and Social Science Research, and an institute for atomic development.
