NGO adds music to lives of poor children

Kalimpong: World Vision, an NGO, here has decided to add some music to the life of poor children in villages bordering the hill town.

Today, the NGO took the first step towards realising its goal by donating musical instruments worth around Rs 70,000 to residents of Taren, around 5km from here, and its surrounding areas. Overjoyed with the gift of nine violins, three guitars, a synthesiser, a bass guitar, a congo and a drum set, the children are ready to start their lesson in Western classical music in June.

At a small programme held to mark the official launch of the Music Learning Centre, local MLA Gaulan Lepcha said: “When I was a child, I had always dreamt of going to such a school. This is a dream come true for me.” Lepcha is a keen guitarist and can be seen strumming the instrument once in a while.

To begin with, the music centre will function from a small room of the local primary school, where the programme was held today. “We eventually want to have a building of our own. Some villagers have already offered to provide land for the music centre,” said Uttam Kartak, the coordinator of World Vision.

Asked why a music centre when the villagers could do with basic facilities, Kartak said they have seen that the children here are very interested in music, but poverty has not let them pursue their passion seriously. “Once the classes start, we hope that new talents will emerge from the area,” he added.

The centre will charge the students a nominal monthly fee of Rs 50, but those incapable will not have to pay. “Unlike other music schools, the students will be provided with instruments,” the coordinator said.

The NGO has already taken a teacher — Lalit Subba — for the school and will appoint another one soon. Jeevan Pradhan, who runs Melody Academy in Darjeeling, has also offered to visit the centre occasionally and take classes, said Kartak. Subba is a student of Pradhan.

Source: The Telegraph