Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde Lays Foundation Stone For Lata Mangeshkar Music School

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde marked a significant moment by laying the foundation stone for the Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar Gurukul, a dedicated music school aimed at promoting Indian music. The school, set to be overseen by the Mangeshkar family, will offer comprehensive courses in vocal and instrumental music as well as sound engineering. The government has earmarked ?25 crore for the construction, with an expected completion timeline of one and a half years. In conjunction with this ceremony, Shinde inaugurated several developmental projects in Thane, including a pedestrian bridge, the expansion of water distribution systems, and beautification initiatives.

In Thane, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde ceremoniously inaugurated the Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar Gurukul on Sunday, a music school dedicated to fostering Indian musical traditions. Present during this auspicious occasion were Lata Mangeshkar's younger sister, Usha Mangeshkar, and Krishna Adinath Mangeshkar.

Expressing his sentiments, Shinde remarked, "A school in Thane named after the nightingale Lata Mangeshkar is a proud moment for all of us. We have lived through the Lata era, and her songs have been an integral part of our daily lives. It is crucial that this musical legacy is passed on to the next generation, and the music school will play a pivotal role in this."

The music school will be developed on the Raptakos plant land, reserved for public amenities on Pokhran Road no 1 in Vartak Nagar. The government has allocated ?25 crore for the construction, and it is anticipated to be completed within one and a half years. Managed by the Mangeshkar family, the school is poised to offer certificate courses in vocal and instrumental music and sound engineering.

Following the foundation stone laying ceremony, Shinde reflected on Thane's rich cultural heritage in the music world, citing luminaries such as Pandit Ram Marathe, music director Shrinivas Khale, and lyricist P Sawalaram who have had connections with the city. "Thane has always had a legacy of music and literature. A music school will ensure that this legacy continues," he emphasized.

MLA Pratap Sarnaik, a member of Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), recalled a promise made to Lata Mangeshkar in 2011 during her visit to Thane. He assured her that music facilities would be made available in Thane. Sarnaik praised Chief Minister Shinde for supporting the Gurukul concept and allocating ?25 crore for its construction. Urging Usha Mangeshkar to oversee the school with experienced music figures, he hoped it would attract the finest musical talents.

In addition to the Gurukul inauguration, Shinde remotely inaugurated various development projects in Sarnaik's Majiwada-Ovala constituency, showcasing a commitment to the comprehensive enhancement of the region. These initiatives encompassed a pedestrian bridge, water distribution system expansion, preservation of old wells, beautification projects, and more. Abhijit Bangar, the municipal commissioner, highlighted the significant progress made under the 'Changing Thane' campaign and the imminent completion of road works costing ?605 crore by December. Furthermore, he announced the successful upgradation of the hostel at Rajiv Gandhi Medical College in Kalwa, a project completed in 90 days following the CM's attention to the residents' living conditions.