But the school still has its task cut out. Though a sum of Rs 86 lakh was allotted for constructing a new building for the school, not a penny has arrived. And Rajini's contribution will reach the school only after work on its new building begins. With 300 children on its rolls, the Gavipuram school is in a bad shape. The walls of the school building, spread over 3,500 square feet, look like they will collapse anytime. There has been no power supply to classrooms and the taps are broken. The superstar studied in the Gavipuram school from 1954 to 1959.
Faced with the prospect of the school building biting the dust, the Karnataka State Rajiniji Seva Samithi is spearheading efforts to save their idol's alma mater. The immediate challenge before the samithi is to ensure that the building is pulled down before it caves in on its own.
"We have been talking to the authorities and raising our concern about the deplorable condition of the school for two years now. The walls might collapse any minute. But no one is paying heed to our pleas," Samithi president Rajani Murgan G said.
The Samithi on Thursday announced it will stage a dharna before the chief minister's residence if the demolition of the old school building does not begin by January 1. "We spoke to the local MLA and have urged the primary and secondary education minister to look into the matter. We have also approached the CM," Murgan said.
"We celebrate Rajini's birthday every year at this school. The superstar's Rs 25-lakh donation will be used to procure facilities like computers and library for the school," said Murgan.
Primary and secondary education minister Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri said he was unaware of the issue. Area legislator Ravi Subramanya L A did not respond to repeated calls. Area corporator K Chandrashekar said a proposal to reconstruct the building was pending before the government.