Mahatma Gandhi’s first basic school located in Barharwa, Lakhansen of East Champaran is going to get special recognition as a deemed University.

Shachindra Narayan, former director of AN Sinha Institute, Patna and a member of the nominee caste commission of the central government, has played an important role towards making Gandhiji’s first basic school a special school. He has requested UGC officials to open deemed university on which UGC has sought information on school resources.

The school will be used to inculcate the Gandhian ideas into their students.  In this context, a team of Gandhians and academics from Delhi is coming to Barharwa Lakhansen.

On 15 April 1917 the problems of indigo cultivators brought Gandhiji to Motihari. At that time East and West Champaran were the same district. Gandhiji waged a satyagraha against the excesses of the British towards the peasants on the one hand, and on the other, stressed the importance of education for the upliftment of society. Later, on 13 November 1917, he opened the first basic school in the country at Barharwa Lakhansen, 7 km from the Dhaka Block Headquarters where Gandhiji and Kasturba used to themselves teach children.

There has been a demand for giving the school a special form for a long time but the aspirations were not fulfilled. On the occasion of the Champaran Satyagraha centenary year, people had high hopes. Many programs were also held but nothing came out. This school has been in a dilapidated condition even in the recent decade.

The school building was renovated on completion of 100 years of the school. However, the Middle School has been upgraded to High School.

Shachindra Narayan, who came here in connection with the international seminar to be held in November, raised hopes and said that this work will be done easily.

Tanya Trivedi

  education, Mohandas Gandhi