“Service to all children”

"The aim of our school is service to all children. This is not a place of business, but a center of light and warmth. We strive to provide inspiration, encouragement and direction for all children who come here. We encourage children to dream and then follow their dream. Our teachers are trained to think outside the box,” noted principal Homai Wadia in her welcome address at the inauguration of the new building for the Sett Rustomjee Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy High School (English medium) at Valsad. The building was inaugurated by Prof Dr Babulal A. Prajapati, vice chancellor, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University on October 24, 2009, as per a report received on the e-mail from community historian Marzban J. Giara.

Following a thanksgiving jashan in the morning, the inaugural function started with a welcome song by students of the School. A tableau on the life of Sett Rustomjee Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy was enacted by the students. The Sett R. J. J. Schools were established in 1863 at Bombay, Valsad, Navsari and Surat. Currently, the Sett R. J. J. Gujarati School Fund runs schools for 5,000 boys and girls.

(Clockwise from top): the Sett Rustomjee Jamsetji Jejeebhoy High School at Valsad; Prof Babulal Prajapati inaugurates new building; bust of Sett R. J. Jejeebhoy

Wadia informed those assembled: "We have no boundaries. Our classrooms are the whole world, and our teaching aids all of nature. Love your child unconditionally. Open your arms — free your child, allow him to fall and fly again. With your love, encouragement and help, he will reach the sky... A good teacher is happiest, the day her or his weakest child succeeds.”

Chairman of the trust, Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, 8th Baronet, stated: "Rustomjee was a worthy son of an illustrious father. At the SSC Board exams more than half the number of students in the merit list in the district are from our R. J. J. Gujarati medium school. The Sett R.J. J. English medium school in Valsad started in 2001 and is now up to Std.VII.”

(Clockwise from left): a classroom; children praying; a view of the audience

Jejeebhoy elaborated: "We live in a time of rapid change. The best way to tackle change is to be prepared... We are changing our mindsets so that we can live in the present and keep pace with the rapid changes around us. Unlike other schools this school is not a training institute. We want to heighten the awareness of our children, bring clarity to their thought process and give wings to their imagination. We wish to convert our school into a garden for our children, give them a proper soil in which children like seeds will be cultivated. Engage them in outdoor activities so that they absorb enough sunlight and fresh air and provide them with sufficient space to grow so that they can dig their roots deep into the ground and benefit from a rock solid foundation. The purpose of this school is to nurture young men and women who will one day shape the destiny of this country.”

"I hand over this temple of learning in the responsible hands of our students. Large airy classrooms, state of the art computer center, science labs, gymnasium, library, art room, a well appointed auditorium and a large spacious playground are all ready and waiting for you all to make use of. The excellence of the school lies in the quality of its teaching staff,” Jejeebhoy concluded his address.

(Top): Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy left of the statue with trustees of the J. J. Charities and Trust; (below): Principal Homai Wadia, Cyrus Unwalla and Kersi Kapadia

The Incorporated Trustees of The Zoroastrian Charity Fund of Hong Kong, Canton and Macao donated Rs 1,15,000 for the new three-storey school building. When trust secretary Maharukh Kharas introduced chief guest Prajapati as a dynamic academician, he was given a standing ovation. In his speech Prajapati maintained: "I congratulate the trustees for their initiative to start an English medium school at Valsad. We need to... develop creativity among children by nurturing young minds. This Institute even after 125 years has maintained its entrepreneurial spirit,” the report revealed.

Senior trustee Prof Khurshed C. Sheriar said in his vote of thanks: "Ever since the Parsis landed at Gujarat, our forefathers considered India as their motherland and Gujarati as their mother tongue. They started educational institutions.”

Bomi Mehernosh, who retired as principal of the R. J. J. Gujarati medium School after 32 years of service and Katyben Zaveri, who retired as headmistress after 21 years’ service were honored. Architect Kersi Kapadia and civil contractor Cyrus Unwalla were felicitated for the impressive new school building. The function ended with a delicious vegetarian lunch.