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The Millennium Plus Project, a new addition to the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, will be inaugurated by the Chair of the Millennium Commission the Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP on 13th June 2002. A Lottery grant of over £500,000 from the Millennium Commission has enabled the centre to improve its current amenities and create much-needed education, training and visual arts facilities for the local community. Based in West London, the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan is a charitable teaching institution which focuses on the Indian performing arts and has been providing services for the Asian community since 1972. The centre currently has over 900 students who take part in activities from Yoga to Sitar playing and traditional dance to language classes such as Sanskrit. The Lottery grant has enabled the centre to build a new art gallery, dedicated to Indian Art, which will be used by local people and young artists. In addition, new classrooms, an art studio and an archive and resource centre have been created and the existing building refurbished to allow for disabled access. Mike O'Connor CBE, Director of the Millennium Commission, said "The Millennium Commission is delighted that Lottery money is providing the opportunity to celebrate and support the achievements and aspirations of ethnic minority communities throughout the country. The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan is already providing essential facilities at a grassroots level for the Asian community. The Millennium Commission hopes that the new Millennium Plus Project will continue to be a great inspiration for the local community and will provide further opportunities for them to play an enhanced role in future of the area." The Millennium Plus Project is one of 10 new initiatives announced by the Millennium Commission in August 2001 which reflect the achievements and aspirations of ethnic minority communities. These projects, which shared a lottery grant of £24 million, are led by, or have a significant involvement of, ethnic community groups and will make a substantial contribution to the communities they are designed to serve. Other projects include high quality community and educational facilities and schemes which provide new opportunities in creative industries. As well as providing new opportunities, the projects will combat social exclusion and broaden understanding of, and co-operation with, ethnic minority communities. -ends- Notes to Editors 1 The Millennium Commission is one of the good causes funded by the National Lottery. 2 The Millennium Commission has also supported:
· Around 200 new buildings, environmental projects and visitor attractions on over 3000 sites across the UK.
· A UK-wide programme of community festivals which began on New Year's Eve 1999 and culminated on New Year's Eve 2000 with celebrations in 32 towns and cities across the UK.
· The Millennium Experience at Greenwich and the National Programme. 3 The Millennium Commission also works with over 100 Award Partner organisations to distribute Millennium Awards to individuals for community based projects. 22,000 people have already received a Millennium Award and there are still thousands of Awards available. Further information is available on 0800 06801 2000. For further information contact the Millennium Commission Press Office on 020 7880 2007, out of hours 07775 812820. back to top Copyright © 2002 The Millennium Commission
Millennium Commission 12th-June-2002
Categories: News Archive
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