CM throws open Ravindra Bhavan

CM throws open Ravindra Bhavan
HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, JULY 20 – Amidst showcasing of Goa’s diverse art and culture, the Rs 20-crore first phase of the Ravindra Bhavan was formally dedicated to the people of Goa at a glittering ceremony here on Sunday evening.
Flanked by South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha and Rajya Sabha MP, Shantaram Naik, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat led the citizens of Salcete to formally inaugurate the imposing centre of art and culture at Goa’s biggest air-conditioned 1150 capacity auditorium named after Pai tiatrist, Agostinho Joao Fernandes.
Union Art and Culture Minister, Ambika Soni could not make it for the inaugural ceremony due to political compulsions, but she was represented by Union Secretary for Art and Culture, Abhihit Sen Gupta, who appeared impressed with the stage setting as well as the cultural programme. “The creativity and talent of the artists is simply brilliant”, he said, while lauding the Goa Art & Culture department for getting the ISO-9001 certification.
In his address, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said the day will be written in golden letters as credit goes to Madgavkars for hosting the biggest Ac auditorium in the state. “Margao was not just the commercial capital, but the state’s cultural capital. But, unfortunately, most of the art and culture facilities were concentrated at Kala Academy, leaving Madgavkars and Shashtikars behind. The inauguration of the Ravindra Bhavan will put back Margao again on the cultural map of Goa”, he said.
Kamat made a humble appeal to the citizens to treat the Ravindra Bhavan as their very own and help in its maintenance. “Citizens too should share the responsibility on the maintenance of the cultural centre”, he appealed.
Kamat took digs at the opponents by saying all the artists who performed at the inaugural ceremony are all Goan “We have not brought any outsiders to perform”, he said and reiterated the government’s resolve to help local artists.
“Today is truly the day of art and culture’, remarked Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik and requested the citizens to treat the centre as their own house.
South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha said the dream of people of South Goa and Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat has finally come true. “When I was the Chief Minister, Kamat asked for the Art and Culture portfolio. He wanted to build the Ravindra Bhavan facility in Margao”, Sardinha recalled.
Director of Art & Culture, Prasad Lolienkar said the open air auditorium will be build in the second phase.