Kala Ghars mooted in unused govt schools
They may have been shut down for want of students, but abandoned government schools buildings could soon have a new role to play with Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude proposing the utilization of these structures as ‘Kala Ghars’ to promote art and culture in remote areas across the State.
Speaking exclusively to The Goan, Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude explained that the concept of a ‘Kala Ghar’ would encourage a cluster of villages to pursue art and culture, instead of depending only on the larger Kala Bhavans or Ravindra Bhavans in major cities in the State.
“This plan is being planned by my department in the near future,” said Gaude.
“Those government primary schools which have been shut down for want of students will be properly put to use by converting them into ‘Kala Ghars’. These mini art and culture centres will be also used for library facilities.”
“Art and culture classes can be conducted there, while small cultural programmes can also be organised. Basically, the concept is to encourage talent in rural and remote areas,” Gaude said.
The minister said he had already moved a proposal to the education department to make use of their idle building at Borim for Kirtan classes.
“There was a demand for Kirtan classes among locals in the area and hence, this unused school building would be an ideal place for it.”
‘Pustakaancho Ganv’
In a bid to promote the reading habit across the State, Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude has stated that he will revamp all 158 libraries under the art and culture department in different parts of the State and will also introduce the concept of ‘Pustakaancho Ganv’.
