GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1182
TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2018
ICCR IN KERALA
- DR. SHASHI THAROOR:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the regional office of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in Thiruvananthapuram has been an important link for cultural and academic activities between foreign countries and Kerala for the last four decades and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the closure of this office and merging its functions with the Chennai Office, will severely be disadvantageous to students in Kerala, who require assistance from the Council, owing to the 725 Km distance between Thiruvananthapuram and Chennai;
(c) if so, the details thereof, and
(d) the remedial measures taken/ proposed to be taken in this regard?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) Yes, the Regional Office of ICCR in Thiruvananthapuram has been an important link for cultural and academic activities between foreign countries
and Kerala.
The Council keeps sponsoring cultural groups from Kerala to foreign countries for performances and similarly invites foreign cultural groups for performances in Kerala. Apart from cultural activities, the Council also sponsors foreign students from various countries for studying in universities/institutes in Kerala under various scholarship schemes administered by ICCR.
(b) The Regional Office in Thiruvananthapuram is operational in the same capacity as before.
(c) & (d) The question does not arise.
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