‘Artist Pension Scheme’ becomes support for old age artists of Bihar: New hope in the lives of Ramanand and Mridula Sharma

Patna: Bihar Government’s Artist Pension Scheme has today become an old age support for the artists of the state. By availing the benefits of Artist Pension Scheme, hundreds of artists of the state are living a happy life. Ramanand Sharma and Mridula Sharma of Jehanabad district, who have proved their art as folk singers in Bihar, are feeling very happy and secure after getting pension under the Artist Pension Scheme.

He told that before the scheme, there was a worry in his mind that when he gets tired in old age, how will he earn his living, but now by getting artist pension, he can start a new inning in his life. At the same time, he still believes that art is our real identity. 61 year old Ramanand Sharma told that he has been performing his singing as a folk singer in different districts of Bihar for 20 years. He has also been honored by the Art Culture Department. To avail the benefits of Artist Pension Scheme, he has started availing the pension by submitting his application on the department’s site. After getting pension for the first time, he said that the Bihar government has done a very commendable job by starting this scheme for us artists.

Folk singer Mridula Sharma said that she has started receiving pension under the scheme from the month of March itself. He said that by starting the scheme, the Bihar government has opened many doors for the artists of the state, through which now the artists of Bihar can also go to different states and show their art skills. Now money will never be a hindrance for this. She said that she has been participating in the programs of the department as a Bhojpuri-Magahi singer for about 20 years, due to which she has created a distinct identity for herself.