Fadnavis inaugurates revamped Jawahar Balbhavan, announces plans for open science park

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday inaugurated the renovated building of the Maharashtra State Jawahar Balbhavan in south Mumbai, announcing that an ''open science park'' will be set up on its campus.

Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis said Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde should take the initiative to connect more municipal school students with the Balbhavan to foster their overall development.

He said an open science park will be developed on the institution's campus in the Charni Road area to promote creative learning among children.

Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar said that Balbhavan was not merely a structure but an inspiring institution that shapes the dreams of lakhs of children.

''The new building will give fresh wings to the creativity of children in Maharashtra. At Balbhavan, children have the opportunity to discover themselves through sports, singing, dance, painting, sculpture and various creative activities,'' she said.

For the last 75 years, the institution has continuously worked to connect children with soil, colours and music, she added.

School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse noted that Balbhavan has consistently worked to nurture imagination and creativity among children aged 4 to 16 years.

He said that the renovated building has a modern auditorium and a fully equipped library on the ground floor, while the first floor houses dance, drama and music rooms, and the second floor has a stage for student performances along with sculpture and painting galleries.

Bhuse said the facility has three fully equipped halls, each with a capacity of 100 students, enabling 500 students to undergo training in different art forms simultaneously.

''Based on the daily training capacity of 500 students, around 10,000 students every month and nearly one lakh students annually will be able to receive training and guidance here,'' he said, announcing that the School Education Department plans to establish a Balbhavan in every district of Maharashtra.

To provide students with advanced artistic guidance, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Sir J J School of Art and the Maharashtra State Jawahar Balbhavan.

The MoU documents were exchanged between Balbhavan Director Nita Patil and Sir J J School of Art Director Kishor Ingale, and Registrar Shashikant Kakade, officials said.

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