CHENNAI: The Gujarati Kanyashala celebrated its centenary year at the Music Academy on Thursday. The school, located in Park Town, was established in 1919 catering to the needs of the residents staying at Sowcarpet.
Starting with only a small room as their classroom, this government-aided school initially only offered education for girls up to class 6. It was started on April 8, 1919, by Zaveri Purushottam Das Hari Lal to empower girls. In 1954, a parent Radha Manilal requested the school authorities to start a higher secondary school under her husband’s name, which came to be known as the Manilal Mehta Girls Higher Secondary School.
According to the school president, Dr NR Dave, around 60-70 per cent of the students from backward communities study here. “We wanted to give not just academic education but also cultural education to our students. We noticed that once students achieved academic excellence, their personality and outlook changes, and they are more confident to go out into the world,” said Dave.
The headmistress, Rashmi P, studied in the school till 1977 and joined as an English teacher in 1983. In 1999, she was promoted as headmistress. “When I first came to school, I felt comfortable as we spoke only in Gujarati. In class 9, I remember, there was a student who didn’t speak Gujarati, and we had to talk in English to her. We made sure she felt at home. It’s my favourite memory,” she said. Once the school introduced more second language options, students from different communities in Chennai joined.
Chief guest and Governor of Tamil Nadu Banwarilal Purohit congratulated the school for its contribution to the Gujarati community in Chennai, and urged students to find good role models and remain humble through their lives. The event was concluded with a cultural event by the students.
New in school
The management introduced a new Robotics course for students, installation of 15 KV solar plant at its premises, and incinerator to dispose of sanitary napkins