Navratri vesha fundraiser: Community rallies to save village govt school in Punjalkatte

Punjalakatte: School development committee dresses as Navratri Characters to Raise Funds for Government School

Punjalakatte: In a unique effort to raise funds for the development of a government school, the School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC) of Devasya Mooduru Government Higher Primary School in Bantwal taluk, has come up with an innovative idea. The SDMC members, led by president Vasanth Mudimar, along with two committee members and a group of alumni, have dressed up in traditional Navratri vesha to raise funds for the school.

The fundraising initiative, under the banner “Vidya Devala Seva Yojane” (Temple of Education Service Scheme), began on October 3 with a special event held at the school. The team, dressed in the traditional “Shardoola” costume, a symbolic attire during Navratri, embarked on a tour to collect donations from the community for the school’s development.

The school, which was established in 1955 and sits on 1.20 acres of land, is now facing several challenges. Despite having 84 students enrolled, the school lacks basic infrastructure, including a boundary wall, necessary equipment, and a proper building, which is now in a dilapidated condition. SDMC members and local residents are concerned that their school could face closure due to the lack of facilities, similar to other schools in the region.

Saving the school: A community responsibility

The SDMC president, Vasanth Mudimar, who works as a daily wage laborer, has taken a keen interest in the fundraising initiative, stating that it is the responsibility of the local community to save their school, rather than relying solely on government support. The committee, with help from former students, has already begun efforts to address the infrastructure issues, and now they are turning to the community for further assistance.

“Saving our village’s school is the responsibility of everyone. We are raising funds by donning the Shardoola costume during the five-day Navratri festival. Several alumni, including the alumni association president Yashwant Kandrodi and SDMC member Harish Naik, are supporting this cause,” said Vasanth Mudimar, SDMC president.