Institute Menezes Braganza is a cultural institution set up by the

Portuguese Portuguese may refer to: * anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal ** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods ** Portuguese language, a Romance language *** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language ** Portu ...

in colonial times, during the late 19th century. It was taken over by the

Government of Goa The Government of Goa is a state government created by the Constitution of India and has executive, legislative and judicial authority of the state of Goa. It is headquartered in Panaji, the capital city of Goa. History The governor's role ...

and continues to play a role in cultural activities of

Goa Goa () is a state on the southwestern coast of India within the Konkan region, geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats. It is located between the Indian states of Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the ...

. In recent years, its takeover by the government was fought over in the Bombay High Court.

History

After being set up in 1871, by the then Portuguese government, initially named the Institute Vasco da Gama (IVG) functioned for a short while, and turned dormant for about five decades, between 1875 and 1925. At that time, the need for an institute focussing on literary, scientific and cultural themes was felt again by around 1924, and a new ''Portaria'' (provincial order 105 dated 10 February 1925 and ''Legislative Diploma'' or enactment No.144 of 26 March 1925 was passed. An annual grant of Rs.10,000 was given.

Renamed

Following the end of

rule in Goa in 1961 by Indian Army action, the institute was renamed after

Luís de Menezes Bragança Luís de Menezes Bragança ( Konkani: ''लुईझ दॆ मॆनॆज़ॆस ब्रागान्सा''; 15 January 1878 – 10 July 1938), alternatively spelled as Luís de Menezes Braganza, was a prominent Indian journalist ...

, a campaigner against colonial rule. It continued to get official government support. In 1997, in a step which was questioned by some, the Government of Goa took over the institution, and re-established it as a

society A society is a group of individuals involved in persistent social interaction, or a large social group sharing the same spatial or social territory, typically subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations. Soci ...

under the

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

n Registration of Societies Act, 1860. According to official documents, its aims are to "focus mainly on the promotion of activities in the fields of Language, Literature, Art & Culture in Goa". It also "primarily seeks to promote Goan talent in allied areas and to meet the versatile cultural interests of Goan society as a whole."

Collaborations

It works with other institutions such as the Indian

National Book Trust National Book Trust (NBT) is an Indian publishing house, which was founded in 1957 as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education of the Government of India. The activities of the Trust include publishing, promotion of books and reading, ...

New Delhi New Delhi (, , ''Naī Dillī'') is the capital of India and a part of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT). New Delhi is the seat of all three branches of the government of India, hosting the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament Ho ...

Sahitya Akademi The Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, is an organisation dedicated to the promotion of literature in the languages of India. Founded on 12 March 1954, it is supported by, though independent of, the Indian government. Its of ...

, the Goa Konkani Akademi, the Gomantak Marathi Akademi, Gomantak Sahitya Sevak Mandal, among others. It is located in the centre of Panjim. Its recent (2013) renovation makes it a hall of choice for organising public functions, though parking can be a problem in the area.

Activities

It organises literary and cultural activities, and also published the ''Bulletin of the Institute Menezes Braganza''.

1997 change

In 1997, the Pratapsing Rane Government in Goa enacted changes in laws for: * Dissolution of the managing committee; * Adjudication of claims, and payment of compensation for any claims; * Handing over of the assets, books of records and properties of the Institute, by those holding them; * The repeal of all laws and orders governing or in any manner concerning the affairs of the Institute.

Court decision

The Bombay High Court dismissed the petition against the takeover of the IMG, but expressed "a hope that the respondent- State overnment of Goashall maintain artifacts and/or paintings and/or coins and/or other valuable articles and shall make all attempts to preserve Portuguese culture for future generation."

References

External links

IMB, official descriptionAt Institute Menezes Braganza, work is slow & unsteadyThe Goa (Institute Menezes Braganza) (Supplemental Provisions) Act, 1997Institute Menezes Braganza caught up in a row
{{Authority control Culture of Goa Organisations based in Goa 1871 establishments in Portuguese India Organizations established in 1871