Sachin Tendulkar donates 76 lakhs to Bengal school for new facilities

Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has donated around 76 lakhs to a high school in West Midnapore district, West Bengal, to boost its infrastructure.

A school in rural West Bengal had written a letter to the Rajya Sabha MP asking help to build and renovate the buildings of the institution. He donated the money he is issued for Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) fund, which totals to Rs 76 lakhs.

Head Master of Gobindapur Makrampur Swarnamoyee Sasmal Sikhsa Niketan, Uttam Kumar Mohanti, had been seeking funds for the renovation of the school which is situated in Narayangarh, but none of his efforts could be successful. Eventually, he wrote a letter to the batting maestro describing the condition of the school which was built in 1965.

Mohanti is an ardent fan of Tendulkar and having known the fact that the cricketer can utilise the MPLAD fund anywhere in the country, the Head Master thought of writing to the cricketer. Tendulkar replied with a letter on August 7, 2014 assuring him to donate Rs 76 lakhs and by September, 2015, the school’s account was credited with 75 per cent of the money.

Renovation work has already started and now Mohanti hopes that the iconic cricketer comes for the inauguration of the school building.

“We will write to the MP to be present with us when we unveil the new infrastructure,” said Mohanty.

Located right beside the NH6, the 50-year-old school has around 900 students enrolled.

Two years ago, school authorities approached local MP Prabodh Panda of the CPI for financial assistance, but did receive a response.

In early 2014 they wrote a letter to the cricketer explaining their plans for a library room, laboratory and a common room for girls. To their surprise, they received a response after six months with Tendulkar saying the funds were being released.

“I wish to inform you that I have recommended to the honourable district collector Bandra, Mumbai, that funds be released to you for the above project. I understand that the honourable district collector of Bandra has further processed my recommendation and has provided necessary details to the honourable collector exercising jurisdiction in your area,” the letter addressed to Mohanty read.