November 22, 2021

Tata group hands over rebuilt Shree Janajyoti Basic School at Sindhupalchowk devastated in Nepal earthquake

Nepal: Following the devastating 2015 earthquake in Nepal, Tata group set up a Nepal Earthquake Response Programme. As part of the programme, a reconstructed building, which had been badly damaged,in the earthquake,  was handed over to Shree Janajyoti Basic School in Pani Chaur, Chautara Sangachowkgadi Municipality-11, Sindhupalchowk, Nepal on 17 November, 2021.

The reconstructed Shree Janajyoti Basic School in Sindhupalchowk, Nepal

Under the Nepal Earthquake Response Programme, Tata Community Initiatives Trust (TCIT) and Tata Trusts, India in partnership with Sipradian Sahayata Sanstha – the CSR arm of Tata Motors’ distributor in Nepal (Sipradi Trading), has been running various relief and rehabilitation activities in the earthquake affected regions of Sindhupalchowk and Dolakha. Rebuilding of schools and health centres are some of the major interventions being carried out by the Tata group after the 2015 disaster, which impacted millions.

The reconstructed school building has a modern layout resistant to earthquakes and is specially designed with disabiled-friendly features. The well-furnished building has specialised sanitation units for boys and girls, provision for computer and science labs, early childhood development rooms, a playground and other required amenities. Over 150 students who are currently enrolled in the school will now have a new and better learning environment.

The school building was inaugurated by Shrirang Dhavale, general manager, Tata Sustainability Group, Tata Sons. The event was graced by Sing Tamang, mayor of Chaurata Sangachowkgadi Municipality and guests from Sipradi Trading, Shambhu Prasad Dahal director, Pravakar Munakarmi, general manager, Krishna Prasad Subedi head of District Education Office, Sindhupalchowk. Tam Lal Pokharel, area manager (Nepal), Tata Trusts, along with officials from Sipradi Trading also attended the event.

Iinaugurating the building,  Mr Tamang thanked the Tata group for its efforts to rebuild the school and creating a safe learning space for improved quality of education. The Head of District Education Office (Sindhupalchowk), Mr Subedi, recalling the other rehabilitative efforts by the group, appreciated the Jalpadevi Secondary School and Mraming Secondary School projects.

Key highlights -

  • School building complying with the specifications advocated for Earthquake seismic zone 5 with modern layout. 
  • Classrooms complying with global standards such as safety, space per child, access to differently-abled children, etc.
  • Facilities for Early Childhood Development (ECD), computer and science labs.
  • Community participation during the reconstruction phase and corpus fund equally contributed by community and local partner, created to support post-construction maintenance of the structure.
  • Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure with appropriate behaviour change communication to sensitize and promote personal hygiene and safe drinking water practices among children.
  • Items such as swing, slide, merry-go-round and seesaw to facilitate outdoor play and interactive learning.
  • Entrance gate and boundary fencing to create a secure learning space
Outdoor play area for interactive learning
 
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure for children