A government school in Jalore, Rajasthan, is the talk of the town. The reason for its popularity is the school's building, which is said to be reminiscent of the Parliament building. Unlike typical government schools, this one stands out significantly. What adds to its charm is the intriguing story behind its construction. Initially, a request was made to build just one room, but instead, the patron decided to construct an entire school, which is now attracting attention.
Let's explore the identity of the individual responsible for this school's creation and discover what makes this educational institution so grand and unique....
Who Built the School?
The credit for constructing the magnificent building of this school in Jalore goes to American NRI Doctor Ashok Jain. During a conversation with Aaj Tak, Dr. Jain revealed how this school came into existence. He shared that he was once a student in this very school, where he studied from Class 1 to 3 in the village of Dadaal, Jalore. At that time, students used to study sitting on the ground, often under the shade of a tree.
He recounted, 'Afterwards, we moved away from the village to Bangalore. Like many Rajasthanis, our family too ventured into business outside, and hence we relocated. In Bangalore, I furthered my education and was more inclined towards sports. As a national-level athlete, I secured admission through a sports quota, leading to my MBBS studies. Following my work in India, I moved to America.'
Continuing his journey, he narrated, 'I continued my practice in America. We opened several healthcare centers there and, after achieving success, frequently visited India. Before this, we had also inaugurated a hospital in Bangalore, opened by former President Abdul Kalam.'
Source: aajtak
'Asked to Build One Room'
Dr. Jain recounted, 'In 2020, I was invited to the school on Republic Day to share my journey with the students. Noticing that the school's condition was unchanged since my days as a student, it was the principal who requested me to sponsor a room. Agreed to that, but upon sharing this with my mother, she suggested a single room would not suffice, advocating for an entire school instead. What started as a small project evolved into a magnificent establishment.'
He explained that initially they had no land. When they requested land purchases from the local farmers, the community generously donated land for the school cause. As a result, including contributions from the Rajasthan government and purchases, they acquired around 5 acres, which marked the beginning of the construction. He shared, 'Remarkably, the decision to construct the school was made on the same Republic Day. We decided to give it a thematic design inspired by the Constitution and built it resembling the Parliament. The project faced hurdles like my mother's demise and the pandemic, but the effort persisted, leading to the grand result today.'
What's Unique About the School?
Approximately 70 million Rupees were spent on constructing the school, which now boasts several modern facilities. The school includes 22 classrooms furnished with wooden tables, digital boards, a science-computer lab, and skill development classes. For sports, 7 courts have been constructed, along with 23 toilets. The image of children sitting on the ground is now a scene of the past.
Moreover, there’s a kitchen accommodating 150-200 people, along with a store. An AP theatre is also part of the school premises. The school is connected to a Wi-Fi digital system, so in the absence of a teacher, students can learn through video lessons. Additionally, a sports academy is set to open soon. Dr. Jain remarked, 'The aim was to create a school akin to those in America.' Special focus is given to skill development, allowing village children to excel in future endeavors.
