Heritage schoolbuilding restored

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, February 21

After the completion of the restoration work of Vijay High School, Mandi, locals are urging the government to inaugurate the heritage building for tourism.

This building is situated in the middle of Mandi town, and is a wonderful masterpiece of Kathkuni architecture. The whole structure is made of forest wood.

The residents are urging the government to set up a state library and a museum of other historical items related to Mandi’s culture and history in this building to attract tourists and CM Jai Ram Thakur should inaugurate it. The building of Vijay High School was constructed in 1866 by the then ruler of Mandi state, Vijay Sen. It was a middle school then, but in 1921 it was upgraded to a high school. Till 1998, classes were taken in this building. However, in 1998, due to the dilapidated condition of the school building, classes were shifted to another building. Since then, this building has remained deserted.

In 2006, the old students union of the school, led by union president Anil Kumar, requested the state government to take up the restoration work. The project has been completed at a cost of about Rs 6 crore, funded by Asian Development Bank.

Rakesh Arora, Manager of Asian Development Bank project in Mandi, said the project was completed a month ago and was ready for inauguration.

Anil Kumar said residents of the district wanted the building to be inaugurated for tourist activities as soon as possible. “We want this heritage building to be equipped with a state library, museum and some other unique things to attract visitors,” he said.