State plans to rope in youth icons to promote culture

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 27

Picking youth icons from the fields of sports, art and culture to inspire the state’s youth is at the core of the Punjab State Culture Policy cleared by the Cabinet on Thursday.

The policy clearly mentions that “the future of our cultural heritage is in hands of our youth.”

Connecting with the trend of popular art, the state policy is intended to be modelled on pattern of the popular TV show American Idol where the state will identify talent. Wide public participation will be ensured by basing the results on public response through telephone, internet and SMS.

Youngsters from myriad fields of literature, sports, art and culture will be picked as stars for the posters and media clippings for mass display and circulation.

The state is second in the country, after Manipur, to have a policy for the protection and preservation of its rich cultural heritage.

Minister for Tourism and Culture Navjot Singh Sidhu has ensured that as part of the policy a film city is set up in the state.

Punjab will have a single window for clearing film shootings. The government will provide financial assistance to entrepreneurs who come forward to set up single screen cinemas in towns that don’t have the facility.

The policy has given a detailed chapter for the promotion of work in the fields of languages and literature. A special mention has been made on literary activities like children literature, mushaira, poetry recitation and translations. The appointment of eminent poet Surjit Patar as chairman of the state arts council indicates possible strengthening of virtually collapsed structures of the department of languages and even the Punjab Sahit Akademi.

Instead of different offices, the department will set up a cultural advisory council at the state level which will be supplemented with connecting offices at the district level. A provision of Rs 5 crore has been made in the state Budget to make a beginning. The policy has given a tax concession to NGOs staging theatre performances. It also talks about establishing a regulatory framework for preservation.