Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (Cultural Venue)

After its renovation in November 2003, the BVB auditorium is back in business, and beginning to get more active than before. The seats have been redone, and there's a new audio system and improved lighting on the stage. The much-publicised play Maulana was staged in the spanking new auditorium, and Tom Alter's flawless Urdu rang without glitches through the hall and the speechless audience.

BVB is a good alternative for bigger plays like that one, although it is mostly used for programs organised by the BVB School or its College of Communication.

Dances and music performances by students from BVB and other schools are common, and there is the ubiquitous prize-giving ceremony, with smug kids and smugger parents. Seminars, lectures and management conferences for college students are also held often. You also have the occasional book release function. The book will usually find its way into the bookstore in the building, which sells textbooks and so-called educational materials.

The Bhavan has now tied up with the Gandhi Institute of Computer Education and Information Technology, and has a new computer lab with 25 systems. It offers free job-oriented computer courses for the economically underprivileged and the unemployed. Spread the word.