Bhubaneswar: Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday announced that Bakula Bana Bidyalaya, founded by Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das and four other intellectuals at Satyabadi in Puri district, will be developed like Prerna School at Vadnagar in Gujarat. The school in Vadnagar, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi studied, was renovated and is now called Prerna School, Pradhan said in an X post.
Pradhan thanked chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi for planning to preserve the heritage of the Puri school and for its restoration and development. Gopabandhu Das, who led the freedom struggle in Odisha and devised plans for Independence, used this school as a laboratory for his ideas, he added.
“From this sacred place, Pandit Gopabandhu’s vision for a new national education policy emerged. Inspired by his life of sacrifice, great figures like Pandit Nilakantha Das, Acharya Harihar, Pandit Godabarish Mishra, and Pandit Krupasindhu Mishra provided students at Bakul Bana with basic education and vocational training,” read the Union minister’s post.
Recognising the significance of the school, which exemplifies the unique guru-disciple tradition, Pradhan said the Odisha govt has been informed to develop Bakul Bana Bidyalaya following the model of ‘Prerna School’ in Vadnagar, Gujarat. “Just as Prerna School has become a unique centre of education and values, the renovation of Bakul Bana Bidyalaya could fulfil the dreams envisioned by our great leaders,” he added.
He said the effort to revive the Gurukul tradition of ancient India began at Bakul Bana. “In 2036, Odisha will celebrate the centenary of its formation as a separate state based on language. In 2047, the country will celebrate 100 years of Independence. The restoration of this institution, known for shaping persons, will fulfil Pandit Gopabandhu Das’s ideals and vision for implementing a national education policy,” he added.
After taking charge as Union education minister, Pradhan had visited Bakul Bana during his Odisha tour and paid tribute at the statues of Panchasakha, highlighting its historical significance.