Vadodara: In a first of its kind in Gujarat,
an earthquake-resistant and eco-friendly school complex has
been constructed in Manjalpur locality here.
The English medium school was founded by Devyani Raje
Gaekwad, widow of Lt Col Ashokraje Gaekwad, former ADC to Lord
Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of British Indian Empire.
Talking to PTI she said the school was founded in 2001
in fond memory of her husband and operated in a building
located in the "Dhairya Palace" premises.
It will now be shifted to this new eco friendly and
earthquake resistant premises, Gaekwad said.
Prince Ashokraje Gaekwad is the grandson of Sir
Sayajirao Gaekwad III, the king of erstwhile princely
gaekwadi State of Baroda whose 150th birth anniversary is
being celebrated this year.
Talking about the construction of the new school
building, she said, "the entire complex is constructed making
use of the hollow blocks. Conventional bricks were not used
and that is why it is environmental friendly.
Further in the making of blocks, paper masch was used as
additive to cement and rubbles. Thus the use of cement was
also reduced considerably, which is once again an environment
friendly aspect, she added.
In the new premises, there has been no use of paint. The
natural colour of the blocks used for raising the wall has
been retained. The walls are raised arranging the blocks in
triangular formations, which are earth-quake resistant as
compared to the rectangular structure raised using
conventional bricks, she claimed.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, January 17, 2012, 12:59