Why in news?
The Ministry of Culture informed Parliament that cultural profiles have been compiled for more than 4.7 lakh villages under the “Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar” (My Village, My Heritage) initiative. The project aims to digitally document India’s diverse intangible heritage.
What is the MGMD initiative?
Launched in June 2023 as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, MGMD is a nationwide cultural mapping project. It seeks to record oral traditions, folklore, rituals, traditional knowledge and local art forms from India’s 6.5 lakh villages. The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) implements the programme.
Key features
- Comprehensive database: Over 4.7 lakh village dossiers have been created, and 360‑degree video documentation of 750 villages is underway.
- Digital platform: The MGMD web portal serves as the National Cultural Work Place, where communities can upload information, artists can register and users receive unique identity codes linking them to welfare schemes.
- National Mission on Cultural Mapping: MGMD is part of a larger mission to create digital inventories of artists and art forms, develop virtual living museums, issue cultural passports and integrate culture into rural development plans.
Significance
- Preserving heritage: Documenting songs, stories and crafts safeguards them from loss and ensures that future generations can access this knowledge.
- Empowering communities: By linking artists to government schemes and markets, the initiative can promote livelihood opportunities and self‑reliant village economies.
- Inclusive participation: The user‑editable platform allows villagers to contribute their own materials, making cultural preservation a collective effort.
The MGMD initiative illustrates how digital tools can support cultural conservation and rural development simultaneously. Sustained funding and community engagement will be essential for its success.