17th Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Culture Ministers Meet 2020

Current Context: The 17th Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Culture Ministers Meet 2020 was held virtually.

• India was represented by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture and Tourism, Prahlad Singh Patel.
• The meeting was held to develop mutual cultural cooperation within SCO and to place a dignified role of culture during the global crisis situation.
• Prahlad Singh Patel highlighted his view that the main aspect which unites all SCO nations is the shared heritage of Buddhist philosophy and its art.
• He expressed his view that in order to deepen the cultural cooperation in SCO nations, digital technology is a vital medium which must be adopted to awaken the custom, culture and tradition.
• Also to promote the mutual bonding among SCO nations, the National Museum of India is in the process to organize the first SCO Exhibition on Shared Buddhist Heritage.
• Also, India is with an aim to share literature works with SCO nations, for this, the Sahitya Akademi, India’s National Academy of letters will translate 10 Indian literature works into Russian and Chinese languages.
• Static Part: 
• HQ of SCO: Shanghai, China
• Secretary-General of SCO: Vladimir Norov

Question: 

Q.1 Who among the following represented India in 17th Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Culture Ministers Meet 2020?
a. Hardeep Singh Puri
b. Pranay Verma
c. Smriti Irani
d. Prahlad Singh Patel