In News:

The Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD) initiative is a nationwide cultural mapping project launched by the Ministry of Culture on 27th July 2023 as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. It operates under the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM) and is implemented by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).

Key Highlights:

• Objective: To digitally document and preserve the intangible cultural heritage of all 6.5 lakh villages across India through a comprehensive virtual cultural portfolio.
• Current Status (as of 2025):

• Over 4.7 lakh villages have been culturally mapped.
• The data is accessible on the MGMD web portal.

• Thematic Categories: Each village is documented based on one or more of seven cultural themes:

1. Arts and Crafts Villages
2. Ecologically Oriented Villages
3. Scholastic Villages (linked to texts and scriptural traditions)
4. Epic Villages (associated with Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas, and oral epics)
5. Historical Villages (linked to local or national history)
6. Architectural Heritage Villages
7. Other culturally significant villages (e.g., fishing, horticulture, pastoral communities)

Significance:

• Preservation of Heritage: Helps safeguard India’s diverse village-level traditions and practices.
• Cultural Inclusion: Recognizes lesser-known cultural narratives and identities.
• Rural Development: Encourages economic and artistic growth through cultural awareness.
• Digital Cultural Infrastructure: Enables access to cultural data via online platforms.

About National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM)

Launched in 2017, the NMCM is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Culture aimed at documenting and promoting India’s cultural diversity with a focus on grassroots-level heritage.

Key Components:

• Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD) – Mapping of village-level cultural assets.
• Sanskritik Pratibha Khoj – Campaigns to discover artistic talent and promote folk and tribal arts.
• National Cultural Workplace (NCWP) – A digital platform and mobile app to create databases of artists, art forms, and cultural services.

This initiative strengthens India’s commitment to heritage conservation, digital documentation, and self-reliant cultural development, in line with Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Why is it in the News?

The Government of India has decided to map and document all villages under Mera Gaon, Meri Dharohar (MGMD) Programme.

About the Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar Programme:

• The Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (MGMD) programme is a nationwide initiative led by the Ministry of Culture, launched on July 27, 2023, under the  National Mission on Cultural Mapping.
• Its primary aim is to compile detailed information about the life, history, and cultural essence of Indian villages and make this data accessible to both virtual and real-time visitors.

Key Components and Categories:

• Under the MGMD, information is collected across seven broad categories, including:
  • Arts and Crafts Village
  • Ecologically Oriented Village
  • Scholastic Village Linked with Textual and Scriptural Traditions of India
  • Epic Village linked with Ramayana, Mahabharata, and/or Puranic legends and oral epics
  • Historical Village linked with Local and National History
  • Architectural Heritage Village
• Any other distinctive characteristic, such as fishing village, horticulture village, shepherding village, etc.

Objectives:

• The primary objective of the project is to culturally map India's 6.5 lakh villages across 29 States and 7 Union Territories on a comprehensive virtual platform.
• Through MGMD, individuals will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in India's diverse and vibrant cultural heritage.

Core Ideals and Benefits:

• The fundamental aim of the project is to foster appreciation for India's rich cultural traditions, thereby promoting economic growth, social harmony, and artistic development in rural communities. The programme is envisioned as a catalyst for showcasing and preserving India's cultural diversity.

Financial Outlay and Scheme Components:

• A financial outlay of Rs. 353.46 Crore has been approved under the scheme of Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture, comprising eight scheme components:
  • Financial Assistance to Cultural organizations with National Presence
  • Cultural Function & Production Grant (CFPG)
  • Financial Assistance for the Preservation & Development of Cultural Heritage of the Himalayas
  • Financial Assistance for the Preservation & Development of Buddhist/Tibetan Organization
  • Financial Assistance for Building Grants including Studio Theatres
  • Financial Assistance For Allied Cultural Activities
  • Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage
• Through these components, the programme aims to provide comprehensive support for the preservation and promotion of India's rich cultural heritage.