Sachin Tendulkar funds reconstruction of rural school in Bengal

Kolkata, June 14 (IANS) Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar, who was quite ruthless to bowlers during his playing days, showed his compassionate side by funding the reconstruction of a rural school in West Bengal's West Midnapore district.

Tendulkar responded to the request of the headmaster, who said he was "desperate" to rebuild the building, which was on the verge of "collapse".

The former Indian cricket captain, who is now a Rajya Sabha MP, donated Rs 76,21,050 from his quoa of the MP's Local Area Development fund to the institution - 'Gobindopur Makrampur Swarnamoyee Sashmal Sikshyaniketan'.

The school is located 150 kilometres from here just beside National Highway 6 in Narayangarh.

The 43-year-old has already paid around Rs 57 lakh for the cause and the rest of the amount will be handed over on production of the utilisation certificate which has already been submitted.

"I had written to both Sachin Tendulkar and Jaya Bachchan in 2013. Our old school building was on the verge of collapsing. I knew I had to do something about it," headmaster Uttamkumar Mohanty told IANS.

"The local politicians turned me away. I was literally going door to door asking for their support but none came my way."

But then Tendulkar’s reply came as soothing music to Mohanty’s ears and he brought a civil engineer to get an estimate.

"He had asked me about my demands. I was taken aback but then I brought in a civil engineer to get an estimate.

"After getting the estimate we sent him the amount required. For sometime there was no response. I thought the demands were too high and wrote to him once again. But after some days, I received a letter stating the funds have been granted."

Mohanty also said he has 75 per cent of the amount with him at present and is hopeful of getting the rest of the money in some time.

"I now have 75 percent of the Rs 76,21,050. Construction is in full swing. We are constructing a three-storey building. Hopefully we will finish in a month’s time. I am hopeful the rest of the money we will get some time soon,” he said.

To acknowledge the contribution from the 'Little Master', the school has also put up a placard in front stating: "The school building is being constructed with the MPLADS fund of Mr.Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, honourable MP, Rajya Sabha."

"I would want him to come for the inauguration. But he has told me to go ahead even if he does not come. He has assured me he will visit the school for sure, but may be later," Mohanty added.

“I wish to inform you that I have recommended to the Hon’ble District Collector, Bandra, Mumbai that funds be released to you for the above project,” said a letter signed by Tendulkar.