Content
- 1. MONDIACULT 2025
- 2. ‘National Pulses Mission’and MSP increase
MONDIACULT 2025
Context
- MONDIACULT 2025 = UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development.
- Venue: Barcelona, September 29 – October 1, 2025.
- Closing Ceremony highlights: cultural performances, youth forum conclusions, civil society interventions, adoption of the outcome document, oral report, and final remarks.
- Theme: Culture as a global public good.
Relevance:
- GS I (History & Culture):
• Recognition of culture as a global public good; cultural heritage diplomacy.
• India’s initiative on Chhath Mahaparv inscription under UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. - GS II (Polity & Governance/IR):
• Strengthening cultural policies as part of sustainable development agenda.
• India’s leadership role as Co-Chair for Asia-Pacific → multilateral cultural governance.
• Cultural diplomacy → enhancing soft power, diaspora connect, coalition building.
India’s Role
- Led by Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat; he also served as Co-Chair for the Asia-Pacific region.
- India held bilateral meetings with Netherlands and Fiji delegations.
- Central diplomatic initiative: building support for multinational inscription of ‘Chhath Mahaparv’ under UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage framework.
Key Outcomes of the Conference
- Adoption of the Outcome Document reaffirming culture as a global public good.
- Consensus on strengthening cultural policies at national and international levels.
- Recognition of culture as a driver of sustainable development.
- Broader participation: youth voices and civil society interventions integrated into decision-making.
Implications
- Soft power projection: Positioning India as a leader in global cultural governance.
- Cultural diplomacy: Showcasing India’s festivals and traditions on a global stage.
- Coalition building: Seeking multinational support for heritage recognition.
- Regional leadership: India’s co-chair role reinforced its influence in the Asia-Pacific cultural policy space.
- Domestic resonance: Push for Chhath recognition strengthens cultural identity and diaspora connect.
Strategic Significance
- Enhances India’s profile as a civilizational state with global cultural responsibilities.
- Aligns with sustainable development by embedding culture into policy frameworks.
- Outcome Document may influence national cultural policy reforms in India.
- Strengthens India’s long-term narrative of heritage-led diplomacy in multilateral forums.
Value Additions
1.Chhath Parv – Value Addition
- Oldest Vedic Festival: Dates back to Rigvedic period, worship of Surya (Sun God) and Usha (dawn).
- Eco-Civilizational Ethos: Involves offering Arghya to setting and rising sun → reflects balance with nature, water bodies, and cosmic cycles.
- Women-Centric Rituals: Strong participation of women; fasting, purity, and austerity practices → reflects gendered role in sustaining traditions.
- Diaspora Connect: Celebrated across Nepal, Mauritius, Trinidad, Fiji, US, UK → strengthens cultural diplomacy.
- UNESCO Potential: Nomination under Intangible Cultural Heritage aligns with India’s heritage-led diplomacy, similar to Yoga (2016) and Kumbh Mela (2017).
2.MONDIACULT 2025 – Value Addition
- Historical Continuity: First Mondiacult held in 1982 (Mexico), reaffirmed in 2022 (Mexico City), 2025 edition deepens culture-development linkage.
- Culture as Public Good: Outcome Document marks a paradigm shift—recognizing culture at par with health, education, environment.
- SDG Alignment: Reinforces role of culture in achieving SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 11 (sustainable cities), and SDG 16 (inclusive societies).
- India’s Cultural Diplomacy: Builds on earlier success of Yoga Day at UN, International Year of Millets (2023), and intangible heritage recognitions.
- Global Governance Impact: May influence G20, BRICS, and UN frameworks by embedding culture into development finance, urban policy, and digital heritage preservation.
‘National Pulses Mission’and MSP increase
Context
- Approvals by Union Cabinet:
- Launch of the National Pulses Mission.
- Increase in MSP for key rabi crops for 2026–27 marketing season.
Relevance:
- GS III (Economy & Agriculture):
• Boost to domestic production → reduces import dependence (2–3 MMT annually).
• Aligns with Doubling Farmers’ Income and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Crop diversification, intercropping, irrigation expansion → agricultural sustainability.
• Budgetary implications: ₹11,440 crore allocation + fiscal impact of higher MSPs.
National Pulses Mission – Basics
- Objective: Self-sufficiency in pulses + improve nutrition + enhance farmer incomes.
- Targets:
- Current production (2024–25): 24.2 million tonnes (242 lakh tonnes).
- Target (2030–31): 35 million tonnes (350 lakh tonnes).
- Coverage: 416 districts.
- Key Features:
- Utilization of rice fallow areas.
- Expansion of seed chain (breeder/foundation/certified seeds).
- Promotion of intercropping with cereals/oilseeds.
- Irrigation expansion and market linkages.
- 100% procurement guarantee for tur, urad, and lentils at MSP.
- Budget Allocation: ₹11,440 crore (2025–26).
MSP Hike for Rabi Crops (2026–27 Marketing Season)
- Principle: MSPs set at least 1.5× cost of production (Union Budget 2018–19 commitment).
Significance of the Decisions
- For Farmers:
- Income support via higher MSPs.
- Assured procurement for key pulses = reduced market risk.
- Crop diversification incentives through intercropping.
- For Nutrition & Food Security:
- Pulses = crucial protein source; aligns with nutritional security goals.
- Reduced import dependence on pulses (India imports ~2–3 MMT annually).
- For Economy:
- Reduction in import bill (pulses are India’s 2nd largest agri-import after edible oils).
- Boosts rural demand via increased farmer incomes.
- For Policy:
- Reinforces farmer-first approach.
- Aligns with Doubling Farmers’ Income agenda and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
Challenges Ahead
- Ensuring timely procurement infrastructure in all districts.
- Addressing storage, logistics, and price volatility.
- Balancing fiscal implications of higher MSP outlays and procurement.
- Integrating climate resilience in pulses cultivation (vulnerable to erratic rainfall).
- Avoiding distortions in cropping patterns—need to maintain balance with cereals/oilseeds.
Strategic Implications
- Moves India closer to pulses self-sufficiency by 2030.
- Strengthens India’s position as a global model for food and nutritional security policies.
- Reflects continuity of pro-farmer measures under Modi government (like PM-KISAN, PMFBY, NAM, e-NAM, Soil Health Cards).
- Symbolic timing (Navratri–Dussehra eve) enhances political signalling of farmer sensitivity.
