Belagavi: Shrinivas Thanedar, a US Congressman and alumnus of Chintamanrao Government High School, Belagavi, took part in the valedictory function of the school’s centenary celebrations on Sunday. The programme was held under the leadership of MLA Abhay Patil.The second day of the centenary celebrations at Government Chintamanrao High School, Shahapur, witnessed a series of programmes. A statue of the great donor Chintamanrao Patwardhan Maharaj was unveiled on the school premises. A grand procession was taken out from Saraf Galli Corner to the school campus on the occasion.Addressing the gathering, Shrinivas Thanedar, an American businessman, author, and US representative from Michigan, said he felt proud to be an alumnus of the institution and would never forget his childhood and education in Belagavi. Recalling his struggles, he said that due to poverty he worked as a cleaner in a dental hospital, earned a BSc degree, and later got the opportunity to go to the United States. After completing his MSc and PhD, he entered business and eventually rose to become a member of parliament.Thanedar noted that govt schools also have good teachers and provide quality education. He stressed that the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi should be utilised throughout the year for the city’s growth. Proper use of available resources, he said, would help Belagavi develop at a faster pace.MP Jagadish Shettar praised the school for imparting education in Kannada, Marathi, Urdu, and English mediums, calling it a matter of pride that a govt school offers such extensive facilities.MLA Abhay Patil highlighted the history of the institution, stating that Belagavi was ruled by Rajasaheb Chintamanrao Patwardhan of Sangli and Rani Saraswati Devi Patwardhan, who founded the Chintamanrao School for boys and Saraswati School for girls in 1914 with the objective of promoting education. Initially offering classes from 1 to 5, the school was upgraded to a high school in 1920–21. Its silver jubilee was celebrated in 1945–46, following which an assembly hall named after Damodar Ramanna Anagolkare was built.He added that a hi-tech auditorium costing Rs 8 crore has now been constructed for the school. Smart classrooms under the Smart City project and a massive LED screen, rare among govt schools in North Karnataka, have also been installed. Further development works worth Rs 2 crore are planned, he said.Donor Vijayaraje Patwardhan, mayor Mangesh Pawar, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
