Institute Menezes Braganza is a
cultural
Culture () is an umbrella term which encompasses the social behavior, institutions, and Social norm, norms found in human Society, societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, Social norm, customs, capabilities, and habits of the ...
institution set up by the
Portuguese in colonial times, during the late 19th century. It was taken over by the
Government of Goa and continues to play a role in cultural activities of
Goa. In recent years, its takeover by the government was fought over in the
Bombay High Court
The High Court of Bombay is the high court of the states of Maharashtra and Goa in India, and the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. It is seated primarily at Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay), and is one of the ol ...
.
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
Portuguese rule in Goa in 1961 by Indian Army action, the institute was renamed after
Luís de Menezes Bragança, 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 under the
Indian
Registration of Societies Act
Register or registration may refer to:
Arts entertainment, and media Music
* Register (music), the relative "height" or range of a note, melody, part, instrument, etc.
* ''Register'', a 2017 album by Travis Miller
* Registration (organ), th ...
, 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,
New Delhi,
Sahitya Akademi, the
Goa Konkani Akademi
The Goa Konkani Akademi (Goa Academy of Letters for Konkani) is an organization set up by the Government of Goa in 1986 to promote the Konkani in Goa. Its stated aim is to accelerate the pace of development of Konkani by encouraging writers, rese ...
, the
Gomantak Marathi Akademi
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 th ...
,
Gomantak Sahitya Sevak Mandal
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 ...
, among others. It is located in the centre of
Panjim
Panaji (; also known as Panjim) is the capital of the Indian state of Goa and the headquarters of North Goa district. Previously, it was the territorial capital of the former Portuguese India. It lies on the banks of the Mandovi river estuary ...
. 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