‘Several private sector enterprises want to work with us on ASI projects’

NEW DELHI: National Culture Fund (NCF) was set up by the Ministry of Culture to preserve and promote Indian culture and heritage. It was established in 1996 as a Trust under the Charitable Endowments Act, 1890. NCF chief executive officer KL Dhingra spoke to HT on a range of issues. Excerpts:

What is the mandate of NCF? NCF has been set up to forge Public Private Partnerships (PPP) to raise extra budgetary resources for the preservation and protection of the Indian culture and heritage. NCF has developed aims and objectives that provide leadership, education, advocacy, and resources to save India’s diverse heritage and revitalize our communities.

Are the activities of NCF covered under CSR?

NCF’s activities are covered under Schedule VII No. (v) of the Companies Act, 2013, as regards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The companies covered under the ambit of CSR are now required to contribute 2% of their profits towards CSR, which cover the preservation of our cultural heritage.

How do donors benefit by joining hands with NCF?

The contribution to the NCF is 100% tax exempt under section 80G (2) of the Income Tax Act. We also offer installation of a plaque at the heritage project site to acknowledge the generous contribution of the donors and partners.

What are the major projects that NCF has taken up so far? The major projects include Shaniwarwada Palace, Pune; Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Kolkata; Humayun’s Tomb, New Delhi; Synagogue Clock Tower, Cochin; Music of Mirs, New Delhi; Ramana Maharishi Centre for Learning, Bangalore and Tomb of Yusuf Qattal,

New Delhi. Some of the ongoing projects include Krishna Temple, Hampi, Karnataka; Hidimba Devi Temple, Himachal Pradesh; Lodhi Tomb, Delhi and upgradation of Swantrata Sangram Sangrahalaya, Red Fort.

What have been the achievements of NCF? NCF got the highest donations in 2015-16. Many new donors such as India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd. (IIFCL) and Sony India Ltd. joined hands with NCF. Several private sector enterprises want to forge a relationship with us for ASI projects. NCF also received the 2015-16 Skoch Award for ‘reviving crafts heritage & providing sustainable livelihood to the artisans’ through SEWA (Self-employed Women Association) in Gujarat.

What type of projects does NCF accept?

NCF accepts projects that not only aim to preserve our cultural heritage but also have a high social and environmental impact in terms of employment generation, education and developing appreciation for our cultural heritage. The impact of air pollution is not restricted to our lungs, our hearts and the ability of children to be productive. It is also simultaneously skin deep.

According to a new study of London’s air pollution, a resident’s skin would have aged by two-and-a-half years additionally by retirement, thanks to the pollution. The study, reported in the Independent, found that PM