Hyderabad school visited by Gandhiji on the verge of shutdown

HYDERABAD: The pen and ink holders carved into each desk still surprises the occasional visitor while the narrow stairs leading up to the classrooms reminds one of a bygone colonial era. Tucked in the bylanes of the bustling Jambagh market is an ancient school, once made famous by none other than Mahatma Gandhi, but which is sadly on the verge of shutdown due to neglect and apathy.
Founded in 1907 for linguistic minorities, the iconic Vivek Vardhini High School was the venue where Mahatma Gandhi, during his maiden visit to the princely state of Hyderabad on April 7, 1929, held an important meeting on the rights of harijans in the state.
"Yes, Gandhi ji was here," said a weary but proud watchman guarding the rundown structure. "He sat on a small stage that was built for him and held a meeting in the playground area," the man said.
Another official recalled how the school was teeming with people as soon as news spread of the Mahatma's visit to Hyderabad and the school. However, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on Wednesday, the school, which has a huge four acre campus, wore a deserted look with no visitors dropping by to see the school or the photo library where there are many photos of Gandhi seated on a stage surrounded by people. The library also houses a handwritten message by Gandhi, which has now been specially framed.
"These days no cares about Gandhi ji or his ideals. So we are not surprised that on Gandhi Jayanti, no one bothered to come and pay homage," said Varun Rao, a local resident.
Despite the school's historical significance, authorities said it is on its death bed. "We will probably have to shut it down soon," said Prakash Khishti, administrative officer of the Vivek Vardhini Educational Society. "We provide free education to the children but paying salaries to teachers and maintaining the place is tough," Khishti said, adding that appeals to successive state governments have not helped. "They have let us down by not responding. If this school is still running, it is only due to the teachers who either teach voluntarily or take very low salaries," he added.
The number of students too has reduced to barely eight in each of the classes from lower kindergarten to class X. There are only 10 teachers in the school and out of the 30 rooms, only 10 are used by the school authorities. "Sometimes when it rains hard, we have to declare a holiday as the ceilings have huge holes," said a staff member.
Walking through the corridors of the colonial-era structure, one is hit by an feeling of nostalgia. "The room has old sound equipment which is no more in use now," said V N Keskar, record assistant of the school, pointing towards an old room which says "Broadcasting Room". "During assembly, the prayers or announcements made from this room reached every class through speakers. But that practice has been stopped as there are hardly any students. It is sad to see how neglect has reduced this place," he lamented.