ICCR plans series of events to boost India's soft power

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has planned a slew of programs to promote the country's 'cultural identity' worldwide and boost its soft power, the organization's president, Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, has said. Sahasrabuddhe, who is also BJP vice-president, said the ICCR will organize programs like 'Understanding India' and 'Destination India' in the coming months.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday night, he said these initiatives are aimed at increasing India's soft power and promote its 'cultural identity' across the world. Sahasrabuddhe said the ICCR has its centers in around 37 countries, where the post of directors, lying vacant for several years, have been mostly filled.

"Now, the government has appointed directors in almost all centers," he added, stating noted author Amish Tripathi has been made the director of the Nehru Centre in London. Speaking about 'Understanding India', the senior BJP leader said this one-week course is for anyone who is curious to know about the country and understand its culture.

'Destination India', on the other hand, is a conference which will be held in Pune in January 2020, said Sahasrabuddhe, who is also a Rajya Sabha MP. The meet is being organized by the ICCR, an autonomous organization of the central government, to improve footfall of foreign students in the country, he said.

The ICCR, founded in 1950, is mandated to actively participate in the formulation and implementation of policies and programs pertaining to India's external cultural ties. Its other objectives are to foster and strengthen cultural relations and mutual understanding between India and other countries and promote cultural exchanges with other countries and people.