BHUBANESWAR: The green cover of Satyabadi Bana Bidyalaya, a pre-secondary and secondary school in Sakhigopal, Puri, has been completely wiped out in the aftermath of extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani which swept coastal regions of the state May 3.
The famous educational institution was established by renowned social worker and freedom fighter Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das in 1909. It was an experiment of sorts by him in which quality education was provided with lessons of living. He used to say, “Schools had to become man-making industries and had to be instrumental in the harmonious development of a child’s personality.” However, the sprawling campus which was once surrounded by a dense green cover has lost its lungs to the fury of the cyclone.
As a model for other schools, children from all castes and classes sat, dined, lived and studied together here. There was ample scope in the school for co-curricular activities including social service, exercise and poet seminars among others. The school aimed to cultivate ideals of patriotism in the hearts of students. Eminent poet R N Tagore and academician Ashutosh Mukherji had appreciated this noble effort back in the day.
The ‘Panchasakhaa Era’ of Odia literature is believed to have blossomed in the cradle of this academic campus. Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das, Acharya Harihara Das, Pandit Nilakantha Das, Pandit Krupasindhu Mishra and Pandit Godavarish Mishra had played a vital role in establishing such a unique institute.
Ferocious winds uprooted hundreds of coconut trees, medicinal plants and Bakula trees, the signature plant of this campus, during the cyclone. The losses were not limited to trees. Multiple antiques of the ‘Pancha Sakha’ era that were of great significance have been destroyed. Hostel roofs and asbestos has been blown away. The campus library too was destroyed making the whole institution non-functional. Even concrete structures bore the brunt of the cyclone.
Kailash Mishra, executive officer, Satyabadi Gopinath Dev Endowment Trust Board, said, “The estimated loss incurred in the aftermath of the cyclone will exceed Rs 1 crore. All the ancient plants have been destroyed. Critical infrastructure including the campus library is severely damaged. The main entry gate to this holy place too has been blocked by broken parts of large trees.”
The institution had survived 1999 super cyclone, Phailin and HudHud cyclone previously. However, it has been battered beyond recognition in the latest cyclonic storm. The loss of greenery seems irreparable. Several intellectuals of the state are saddened by the current state of the institution.Swift and steady repair work is being demanded for restoring normalcy.
