PUDUCHERRY: Reunion Island, an outlying territory of France (near Madagascar) is contemplating on a mutual convention for renovation and restoration of the heritage building of Pensionnate de Jenues Filles girls school.
Students of the government school with French medium of instruction were shifted to the Simon Cardinal Lourdsamy government school premises in December last year after the building was found to be unsafe and the students, who are mainly from poor economic background, are awaiting renovation of the building.
The institution was the first French boarding school for girls, founded in 1826 by the Viscount de Richemont. INTACH Puducherry has prepared a plan for renovation at an estimated cost of Rs 5 crore.
A 21-member delegation headed by Raziah Locate, Director of International wing of Chamber of Commerce of Reunion Island and Teo Nayayanin is in Puducherry and considering taking up the project following an interaction with INTACH, said Muriel Bertile, Representative of Reunion Island.
Reunion island has links with Puducherry in terms of climate and architecture and history.
Since Reunion Island has the expertise in architecture and heritage conservation, it could contribute in restoring Puducherry’s heritage structures, she added. The delegation would also interact with the Puducherry government to take the initiative further.