Cabinet decision: J J gets De-Novo!

Mumbai 28^th June – After several years of tireless efforts, J J School of Art finally got De-Novo status today. Three institutions in Mumbai viz. J J School of Art, J J College of Architecture and J J Institute of Applied Art have been accorded ‘De-Novo status’ in a decision taken in the Cabinet meeting this afternoon. This was the culminating step in J J’s De-Novo process which has taken place till date. Therefore, J J’s alumni and present students who participated in this movement have expressed their delight to ‘Chinha’. ‘Chinha’ has been actively involved in this movement since the beginning. In fact, it was Chinha’s Special issue ‘Kaala Bazaar’ (A rhetoric on the malpractices prevalent in the Art and Art Education field) became the reason behind Government’s thought of according De-Novo status to J J.

When asked about his reaction to J J’s De-Novo status, Ashutosh Apte – a painter and dynamic activist in the De-Novo movement – said, “This is a very joyful matter. This is the result of our struggle of the last few years. I am sure that J J’s golden age will return now. We have formed an association ‘Ek J J’ (One J J) to help all J J Alumni to make the De-Novo process smooth and to help this process. Through this organization we will continue to help in this work. In fact it is our responsibility. The incoming students are going to benefit immensely from the upgradation of educational quality, which will be resulting from De-Novo implementation.”

According to reliable sources, at the time when this decision was taken in the Cabinet, Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, Tourism, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Minister Mangalprabhat Lodha, Secretary Dr Nitin Karir, and Chief Secretary Manoj Saunik were present. Not only that, but they actively supported this decision. Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil was very content with the decision. However, it is learnt that former Higher Education Minister Uday Samant is silent on this matter.

Note: To read Chinha’s Special issue ‘Kaala Zazaar’, click on the link below.