PONDA: Goans pay tribute to the first Chief Minister of Goa, Bahusaheb Bandodkar, on his birth anniversary on March 12 and his death anniversary on August 12. They express their pride and gratitude for his instrumental role in promoting literacy among the people of Goa. Bandodkar’s vision and initiative led to the establishment of schools across the state, ensuring that the Bahujan community, who had been deprived of education for centuries, could now pursue learning and excel in various fields.
Meghsham Naik, an engineer from Ponda, attributes his success to Bandodkar’s efforts. Naik stated, “Bahu was instrumental in starting schools in every nook and corner of Goa to educate the Bahujan community, who were deprived of education for centuries. By bringing teachers from Maharashtra, Bahu spread literacy in Goa, and this is the biggest contribution for me. It is because of his efforts that I became an engineer and achieved a well-settled life.”
Local residents propose that instead of letting abandoned government primary school buildings deteriorate further, they should be repaired and repurposed for libraries, gymkhanas, anganwadis, self-help groups, and NGOs. This would be a fitting tribute during the commemoration of Bandodkar’s birth and death anniversaries, ensuring the preservation of his legacy.
Among the 38 closed schools, some have been utilized by the government for anganwadi schools and other purposes, while a few have been repaired and maintained during elections as polling booths. However, many schools have been left abandoned, deteriorating to a state of disrepair.
The GPS building in Adpai, which was closed a decade ago, is in a pathetic condition, surrounded by bushes, and on the verge of collapse. In contrast, another school in the same Panchayat, at Chikhlim Agapur, is in good condition but had to be closed down due to insufficient student enrollment. Notably, this building features a beautiful sculpture depicting a woman teaching her daughter, emphasizing the importance of education.
Prashant Naik, a local resident, highlights the significance of the closed GPS buildings. He shares the concern that many Goans believe that their children will have better prospects if they attend English-medium schools, leading to a preference for private institutions. Instead of allowing the GPS buildings to further deteriorate and collapse, Naik suggests that the government hand them over to NGOs, self-help groups, or establish gymkhanas and libraries. This would preserve the legacy of the GPS buildings, a testament to the first CM Bahusaheb Bandodkar. Maintaining these buildings would enable future generations to recognize their historical value.
