Thursday, 21 December 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Taking note of the increasing employment opportunities for those engaged in musical pursuits, the State culture department is all set to provide free musical instruments to the soloists from the Scheduled Castes across the State.
A senior department officer informed that they have firmed up a plan to provide traditional musical instruments of the State like Dhol Damau, Musakbeen and Ransinga among others to the weaker section people free of cost. He said that those interested can collect forms, fill them up and send them to the department till January 15 and added that musical instruments would be provided to the music aspirants only once in their lifetime. “Besides, the applicants’ monthly income is not to exceed Rs 2,000 and they must obtain an income certificate from the Tehsildar. One member of a family will be eligible to receive a musical instrument,” he said.
He further said that preference will be given to artists from the traditionally musical families. “The age eligibility for applicants is from 18 to 60 years,” he said and added that if an applicant has previously received financial assistance or instrument under any other scheme rolled out by the culture department he or she will not receive anything under this scheme. “The applicant must submit an affidavit stating that he or she has not received any grants or instruments from the department,” he said.
“On receiving recommendation from the district magistrate, the committee to be chaired by the secretary of the culture department will start allocating musical instruments to artists,” he said.
The official further said that the initiative is meant to help the deserving soloists. “This will not just help the musical tradition of the State revive and thrive but also provide livelihood means to the musically inclined people from the weaker section,” he added.
