GESFOI

The scheme aims to provide artists practising Indian art forms with an opportunity to perform abroad. Funding for international travel, performance opportunities, and logistical support is provided to Indian artists, dancers, musicians, and cultural troupes selected for performance abroad.

The "Global Engagement Scheme: Festival of India" component of the Global Engagement Scheme by the ICR Division, Ministry of Culture, Government of India aims to provide artists practising Indian art forms an opportunity to perform abroad under the banner of 'Festival of India'. Through this component, funding for international travel, performance opportunities, and logistical support is provided to Indian artists, dancers, musicians, and cultural troupes selected for performance abroad. The component is implemented by the Ministry of Culture in coordination with Indian Missions abroad, through a Standing Committee, a Festival of India (FOI) Cell, and a Screening Committee.

> Objectives:

• Promote Indian Culture abroad.
• Strengthen bonds of foreign countries with India.
• Promote bilateral cultural contracts.
• Project India's cultural image abroad.
• Promote inbound tourism.

> Institutional Set-up:

• A Standing Committee, chaired by the Secretary (Culture), includes representatives from ICCR, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Planning Commission, Financial Advisor of the Ministry of Culture, DG, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and other related departments/agencies; it decides on the selection of countries, events, and time span.
• A Festival of India Cell coordinates with participating agencies to prepare a consolidated proposal covering artist selection, delegation size, travel dates, venues, timings, logistics, accommodation, cargo handling, and other details.
• A Screening Committee facilitates participation of non-government agencies/persons having expertise in performing arts, literature, and exhibitions; graded and empanelled persons are listed on the Ministry of Culture website.

> Events covered:

• Dance (classical, folk, contemporary, fusion),
• Music (vocal, instrumental, sufi, classical, semi-classical, carnatic, contemporary),
• Exhibitions,
• Theatre,
• Folk Arts including Mehendi artists and puppetry,
• Literary Festival (from Sahitya Akademi),
• Food Festival,
• Film Festival,
• Yoga,
• Fashion Show/Textile Exhibition

• The applicant should have expertise in the field of performing arts, literature, exhibitions, or related disciplines.
• The applicant should be graded by the Screening Committee and empanelled; the list of empanelled persons is uploaded on the website of the Ministry of Culture.
• The applicant should belong to the outstanding or promising category of artists on the empanelled list, from which the Indian Mission selects the art form.

• Ministry of Culture meets expenditure on the selected delegation, including international passage, performance fees, visa fee, travel insurance, cost of extra baggage, and lodging in 3 or 4 star hotels.
• Ministry also supports venue hiring charges and publicity expenses.
• Missions are expected to explore sponsorship through local government and/or public-private funding for venues, other infrastructure (sound system, lighting), local hospitality, and local transportation, to the extent possible, before including such expenditure in the budget – this ensures maximising the limited budget for Festival of India.
• Indian Missions are encouraged to organize Food Festivals, Film Festival, Yoga, and Fashion Show or Textile Exhibition as part of the Festival, for which the Ministry facilitates contacts with the concerned Ministry or organization.
• Ministry of Culture also sends cultural troupes from its Zonal Cultural Centres for folk dances/music, and from autonomous organizations such as Sangeet Natak Akademi and Kalashetra for classical dance/music; exhibitions and/or lectures through museums, Lalit Kala Akademi, or Sahitya Akademi are also supported.

> Mode of Disbursement:

• Funds are not given directly to artists; the Ministry identifies a nodal agency in India for making arrangements for international passage booking, visas, and payment of performance fees to the artists.

> Frequency/Timing of Disbursement:

• The approved budget is released in two instalments 75 percent after financial and administrative approval, and the balance on conclusion of the festival, on receipt of utilization certificates.

> Validity/Conditions:

• Ministry of Culture expects constant feedback before, during, and after the festival period; Missions should send reports, photographs, and video recordings, if made.