Ravindra Bhavan will not organise festival on loans: Chairman Naik
MARGAO: “Ravindra Bhavan was dragging into a debt trap and we have decided not to organise festivals on loans to ensure that this institute thrives and survives for long,” said Chairman Prashant Naik while talking to media persons.
Replying to a question, he admitted that programmes have decreased because Ravindra Bhavan did not have money to conduct them and added that henceforth the institute will conduct programmes only if they can afford them.
“When we took over, we realised that there were around Rs 70 lakh that had to be paid to various people who not only offer their services regularly but also those who had helped the institute organise programmes,” he said.
He disclosed that the first instalment of Rs. 24 lakh that Ravindra Bhavan received for this financial year was spent only on repaying the previous bills and debts and added that even the second instalment will be used to repay old bills.
“What is the point in having artistes from Mumbai and other places perform here by spending lakhs of rupees when there is not tangible benefit to Goan artistes?” he asked adding that in future outstation artistes may be invited only if they are accompanied by Goan artistes.
He lamented that the previous committee even organised programmes in other talukas which was beyond its mandate and also regretted that various programmes were unnecessarily sponsored by Ravindra Bhavan.
RENOVATION: The Ravindra Bhavan will undergo major repairs and renovation and the work should commence by October end, said Prashant Naik while disclosing that the PWD has already inspected the place and is in the process of preparing the estimates. Besides the open air auditorium needs major repairs, he said while pointing out that it is not being used presently while earlier it was quite popular.
“The leakage in the black box will be repaired but more significantly the leakage that is starting in the main auditorium will also be repaired,” he added.
He also expressed confidence that the block constructed to conduct music classes will become operational as he hopes to get its possession soon.
UP tourist commits suicide
MARGAO: A 25-year-old Uttar Pradesh woman, who had come to Goa along with her father on a holiday, apparently committed suicide by jumping from the third floor of the hotel where she was staying in.
According to her father Jamal Khan, she took the extreme step because her relationship with her husband was estranged.
As the death has occurred within seven years of their marriage, it is being investigated by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate.
40-year-old man found dead near Sanvordem main road
CURCHOREM: Ignatius Rebello, a 40-year-old resident of Periudok was found dead near the main road at Periudok-Sanvordem on Tuesday.
According to Curchorem PSI Veronica Coutinho, the deceased was a native of Udupi Karnataka and was working for a land lord as a caretaker of the house and property for the last 10 years. According to eyewitness he had gone for shopping nearby and while returning to his home, he suddenly fell down on the road and started vomiting blood. “One local woman immediately informed the police after seeing him vomiting blood,” said a police source.
Police reached at the site and found him dead. PSI Coutinho conducted the panchanama and preserved the body at TB hospital, Margao for post mortem.
