Bal Bhavan, now a ghost of its former self

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 30 : Bal Bhavan located at Khuman Lampak and managed by the Social Welfare Department has fallen into a state of despondency.
Except for a violin instructor, there is no instructor for any other subject. The roof is leaky, the compound is water-logged and the surrounding area is overgrown with shrubs and bushes.    
The Bal Bhavan was inaugurated on November 12, 1989 by then Governor Chintamani Panigrahi. The bhavan was opened with a view to provide different facilities like children doll museum,  library, science education centre, music centre, painting centre, children park, educational tour, home management, environment and ecology, physical education centre and mini train project etc.
Several sections of the Bal Bhavan building have crumbled and the roof is leaky at different points.
Some parents who went to admit their children in Bal Bhavan told The Sangai Express that many facilities were not present and whatever facilities that still exist are not working properly.
On the suggestion of the parents, The Sangai Express made a direct assessment of the existing condition of Bal Bhavan.
As told by the parents, the Bal Bhavan was found in a very sorry state as if there was no authority to look after it.
Several posts of instructors have been lying vacant following retirement of the previous instructors.
Except for a single violin instructor, there is no instructor for any other subject. As such, no other classes are conducted except violin class.
Sources said that a vocal instructor of Bal Bhavan, Khuman Lampak retired recently. The painting instructor retired earlier.
Although the posts of several instructors have been lying vacant for quite a long time, the Government is yet to fill the vacant posts, sources said.
The exact area of the Bal Bhavan located inside Khuman Lampak Sports Complex has not been demarcated yet.
Its building has deteriorated to a pathetic level and the drains are all clogged, thereby keeping the surrounding areas water- logged.
An indoor stadium of Youth Affairs and Sports was found built over the site earlier designated as the Bal Bhavan’s children park. Students of National Sports Academy were found playing different games inside the indoor stadium.
The Bal Bhavan’s dance hall was also found serving as the office of “Anouba Mangal Trust Centre”, which is said to be functioning under the Social Welfare Department.
With only three-four staff attending the Bal Bhavan, the Bhavan has ceased all activities.
The Sangai Express found only one (Bal Bha-van) in-charge, one violin instructor, one Bal Sevika and one Chowkidar.
In the past, classes on regular informal education, dance, song, musical instruments, computer education, drawing etc were conducted regularly by experienced instructors.
There were a healthy number of students at that time but today the Bal Bha- van looks like a ghost of its former self.
Laishram Kabiraj, a parent from Khurai said he sent his eldest daughter Khuman to Bal Bhavan to learn music and dance.
Now she has grown up and has become a qualified professional because of the education she received at the Bal Bhavan, he said.
Kabiraj said that he went to Bal Bhavan recently to admit one of his granddaughters but the current condition of the Bal Bhavan was quite disappointing.
Kabiraj confided that he no longer has any intention to send children to Bal Bhavan to learn anything, given its existing condition.
“Earlier, children’s summer and winter camps were held at Bal Bhavan, Khuman Lampak but I’m not sure if the same camps are held these days”, he said.
On being contacted, some top officials of the Social Welfare Department said that many students of Bal Bhavan, Khuman Lampak affiliated to National Bal Bhavan Society of India, New Delhi won many National Balshree honours from 1995.
Students of Bal Bhavan, Khuman Lampak won National Balshree Awards in the fields of creative arts, creative science, creative performance, creative writing and performing arts.
Students of Bal Bhavan, Khuman Lampak started winning National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement from 1999, the officials said.
Bal Kendras have been opened in Senapati and Churachandpur districts and the department has been working to open a Bal Bhavan cum children park at Moreh, they added.