MANGALURU: In a remarkable display of community spirit , the School Development and Monitoring Committee ( SDMC ) of Devashya Mudur DK ZP Higher Primary School in Bantwal Taluk has taken matters into their own hands to raise funds for the repair of their dilapidated school building.
Despite repeated requests to the government and local authorities, no assistance has been forthcoming, leaving the 69-year-old school in a state of disrepair. The school, which has 84 children and six teachers, including three guest teachers, is in dire need of infrastructure improvements.
Vasanth Mudimara, the SDMC president, along with 12 others, including their own children, has formed a Navaratri costume troupe to visit nearby villages and collect funds. "This is the last resort we could think of. Over the past few years, we have been running from pillar to post, requesting the authorities to repair our dilapidated school. We have submitted memorandums to the BEO, local MLA, state government, and deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada. Nothing has moved so far, and instead, the decades-old school building continues to deteriorate. The school roof is on the verge of collapse. If something goes wrong, the authorities blame the teachers here. This Navaratri, we thought of doing something to raise some funds by donning costumes. In three days, we have been able to collect Rs 28,000, and the estimated repair cost is Rs 10 lakh. We are hopeful about achieving our target," shared Mudimara, adding that the troupe comprises SDMC members, old students, and their children. "Initially, we had planned for five days and have now decided to extend for another two days."
Vasanth and his friends have previously raised funds for the poor, especially cancer patients and others, by donning costumes during Navratri under the Tulunada Porlu Seva Trust . This year, they have focused their efforts on the development of their alma mater. "School is a temple, and this Dasara we are trying to help it with our efforts," Vasanth emphasized. The troupe, which includes Yashawanth Kandrodi, president of the Old Students Association; Harish Kandrodi, an SDMC member; Vasanth's son; his friends; school children; and Pramod on Tase, starts their day at around 10 a.m. and returns home by 9 p.m.
Harinakshi K, the school headmistress, acknowledged the efforts of the SDMC president and members in raising funds to repair the school. “The community's determination to provide a safe and conducive learning environment for their children is truly commendable, and their innovative approach to fundraising serves as an inspiration to others,” she said.
Despite repeated requests to the government and local authorities, no assistance has been forthcoming, leaving the 69-year-old school in a state of disrepair. The school, which has 84 children and six teachers, including three guest teachers, is in dire need of infrastructure improvements.
Vasanth Mudimara, the SDMC president, along with 12 others, including their own children, has formed a Navaratri costume troupe to visit nearby villages and collect funds. "This is the last resort we could think of. Over the past few years, we have been running from pillar to post, requesting the authorities to repair our dilapidated school. We have submitted memorandums to the BEO, local MLA, state government, and deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada. Nothing has moved so far, and instead, the decades-old school building continues to deteriorate. The school roof is on the verge of collapse. If something goes wrong, the authorities blame the teachers here. This Navaratri, we thought of doing something to raise some funds by donning costumes. In three days, we have been able to collect Rs 28,000, and the estimated repair cost is Rs 10 lakh. We are hopeful about achieving our target," shared Mudimara, adding that the troupe comprises SDMC members, old students, and their children. "Initially, we had planned for five days and have now decided to extend for another two days."
Vasanth and his friends have previously raised funds for the poor, especially cancer patients and others, by donning costumes during Navratri under the Tulunada Porlu Seva Trust . This year, they have focused their efforts on the development of their alma mater. "School is a temple, and this Dasara we are trying to help it with our efforts," Vasanth emphasized. The troupe, which includes Yashawanth Kandrodi, president of the Old Students Association; Harish Kandrodi, an SDMC member; Vasanth's son; his friends; school children; and Pramod on Tase, starts their day at around 10 a.m. and returns home by 9 p.m.
Harinakshi K, the school headmistress, acknowledged the efforts of the SDMC president and members in raising funds to repair the school. “The community's determination to provide a safe and conducive learning environment for their children is truly commendable, and their innovative approach to fundraising serves as an inspiration to others,” she said.
