Mangaluru: In a remarkable community-driven effort, alumni of Kolakadi Aided Higher Primary School in Mulki have restored a century-old classroom block built in 1924, opting for conservation instead of demolition to safeguard its heritage architecture and emotional legacy.

The renovated 7,000 sq ft building was formally inaugurated on Saturday after months of dedicated voluntary work. The restoration was largely carried out through shramadhana, with 30 to 40 former students gathering every Sunday and on public holidays since October to manually contribute to the project. They undertook tasks such as clearing debris, transporting soil, plastering, assisting carpentry work and painting, alongside skilled workers when required.

Alumni Association president Nitin K. Shetty Panjinadka said the idea of restoring the structure in its original form had been under discussion for years. He noted that Natural Ice Cream founder and alumnus Raghunandan Kamath had consistently emphasised the importance of preserving the heritage block during his visits to the school.

The restoration cost approximately ₹40 lakh, with voluntary labour significantly bringing down overall expenses. Shetty described the initiative as a heartfelt gesture of gratitude towards the institution that shaped generations of students, adding that the goal was to ensure the historic structure remains strong for another hundred years. He stressed that the project was not just about rebuilding a structure but about preserving memories and the school’s long-standing educational legacy.

Alumnus Venkataraman Kamath, popularly known as Venki Palimar, recalled that the school once served as a crucial learning centre for the rural hamlets of Panjinadka and Atikaribettu. Over time, however, the 1924 block had fallen into severe disrepair, with cracked walls and a leaking roof raising safety concerns. Alumni feared that losing the building would mean erasing a vital part of the institution’s heritage, which counts prominent personalities such as Vijaya Bank founder Sundaram Shetty, Adlabs founder Manmohan Shetty and Raghunandan Kamath among its former students.

The institution traces its origins to 1886, when it began as an informal educational initiative started by Vasudeva Kamath. Over the decades, it evolved into a progressive school that broke social barriers, including providing access to education for girls at a time when it was uncommon.

Headmaster Ambarish said the restored heritage block has already rekindled enthusiasm among students and staff. Currently, the higher primary section has around 120 students, while the high school section has 102, with the revived building expected to serve future generations while preserving a proud chapter of the school’s history.