Mangaluru: Nestled in the scenic environs of Belthangady taluk, the govt Higher Primary School, Nada, which once started in a house belonging to a local, is celebrating a century of dedicated service to rural education.Established on Nov 25, 1925, by philanthropist Chandaiah Ajri of Nada Guttu, to support the underprivileged children, the school grew into a model public institution. A new, fully equipped school building, constructed at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore, with the efforts of former MLC and Mescom chairman K Harish Kumar, now houses classrooms, a library, a playground, an auditorium, and sanitation facilities. Currently educating 104 students, the school’s centenary celebrations began on Aug 23, 2025, and concluded on Sunday. Harish Kumar, who provided funds to give a new lease of life to the school, shared that the school started at Chandaiah’s house in the initial days and later shifted to a place near Basadi. He wished that children in rural areas should receive education, and the result was this school, which started 100 years ago. He also paid salaries to teachers, apart from providing infrastructure for many years. Later, with a govt grant, a new school building was constructed one year ago.School headmistress Pushpa said, as part of the centenary celebrations, the school alumni, locals, and well-wishers took up several developmental works, including the interlocking of the campus, an open auditorium, the main entrance, and other developmental works. “A series of programmes were also held in the last few months,” she said.
