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The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is rushing to develop a monument where social reformers Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule started the first girls’ school in the country at Bhidewada in 1848.
The national memorial in Budhwar Peth was delayed due to a legal tussle of over 12 years in acquiring land, and the Bombay High Court recently gave the PMC the go-ahead.
“The PMC does not want to waste time. The proposed plan includes a two-storey building with seven rooms with a total built-up area of 6,212 sq feet. The visitors would be able to gather knowledge of the history of the area and the first school for girls,” said a civic officer.
He said, “Located in the historically important and one of the oldest areas in Pune, Budhwar Peth, this wada stands out as a milestone in Indian educational history. This area used to house India’s first girls’ school against major societal opposition. This memorial is of dual importance; its location in Budhwar Peth, opposite the Dagdusheth Halwai Temple, a socio-cultural landmark, and also for the rebellious decision to run a girls’ school in very orthodox Pune. This particular site has a historic significance which should be emphasised by declaring it a state-protected heritage building.”
The ground floor of the proposed memorial building will have a statue of Savitribai Phule at the entrance of the premises with a 633 sq ft room that will have statues showing a class of girls studying under Savitribai Phule, a small 124 sq feet room in the centre and a 394 sq ft headmaster room.
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As per the plan, the first floor will have a 633 sq feet room for multiple activities with library shelves and display charts around, a small 124 sq feet room and a 294 sq feet area staff room. The second floor will have a 1,700 sq feet assembly hall and a classroom.
The memorial building is expected to have many visitors, so there will be a parking facility for 12 four-wheelers in the basement of the building. Two weeks ago, the Bombay High Court dismissed a 12-year-old petition that challenged the PMC decision to develop a monument and urged the administration to proceed with the land acquisition for the project.
Municipal Commissioner Vikram Kumar said the civic administration would not waste any time in acquiring the land and would speedily complete it. “The memorial was long pending and now it can be built as planned,” he said. The PMC also filed a caveat in the Supreme Court in case anyone files an appeal against the high court order and seeks a stay on it.
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