The Education Department has started a 15 day training programme on the world famous Ramaan at the Government inter college, Joshimath, to raise awareness among youths about the heritage of this traditional folk rendition of Ramayana. However, the block education officer is not aware of the budget to be spent on this activity which is being executed under the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan.
The fortnight long training began on Monday at Joshimath. Students of classes IX and X will be introduced to various beats and characters of this traditional performance art form. This training is being facilitate under RMSA in order to keep the heritage alive. However, when asked about this programme, the villagers of Salud Dugra said they were unaware of this initiative. locals suspect that this training is little more than a formality being undertaken to ‘utilise’ allocated funds.
While this traditional performance involves performers wearing traditional masks, those conducting the training are doing so without wearing the masks, which has raised further questions. On top of this, the block education officer, when asked about the funds being spent on this programme, said that he was unaware of the budgetary provisions for the event.