Context:

• Indian President Ram Nath Kovind presented the Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony to Rajkumar Singhajit Singh, Bangladesh cultural organisation Chhayanaut and Ram Sutar Vanji for the years 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively at a function held in Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra, New Delhi.
• The award was instituted by the Union Government in 2012 to recognise the contributions made by Rabindranath Tagore to humanity at large with his works and ideas, as part of the commemoration of his 150th Birth Anniversary, for promoting values of cultural harmony.

Significance of the Award:

• The award is conferred annually and carries an amount worth Rs one crore, citation in a scroll, a plaque and an exquisite traditional handicraft and handloom item.
• The award may be divided between two persons or institutions who are considered by the jury to be equally deserving of recognition in a given year.
• The jury comprises the Prime Minister of India, Chief Justice of India, leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha or the leader of the single largest opposition party in the House and two eminent persons.
• The Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony is given to individuals, associations, institutions or organisations for their outstanding contribution towards promoting values of cultural harmony.
• The award is open to all persons regardless of nationality, race, language, caste, creed or gender.
• Generally, the contributions made during ten years immediately preceding the nomination are considered.  Older contributions may also be considered if their significance has become apparent only recently.
• The first Tagore award was conferred upon Pt. Ravi Shankar, the Indian Sitar Maestro in 2012 and the second award was conferred upon Maestro Zubin Mehta in 2013.