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Journalism of Courage
In 1824, the workers of the American Mission started a school for the native girls in Bombay. Later, around 1831, six such girls’ schools had mushroomed in the city. Till 1849, the government’s policy toward women’s education was neutral. That was because the then prevalent practice of child marriage saw to it that very few girls actually enrolled in the schools.
But then, on July 19, 1884, the intelligentsia of Pune city gathered at the town hall of Hirabaug to discuss the issue of girls’ education. Soon thereafter, in August, the Council Hall saw the people’s representatives meet the Governor. The suggestion was mooted that the government appoint a few teachers and start a school under its auspices.
That same year, on the occasion of Dassera, the Governor of the Bombay Presidency, Sir James Fergusson, inaugurated the High School for Native Girls in the Hirabaug Town Hall. The initial few classes were conducted in the Warwekar Wada. This soon shifted to the Kibe Wada in Budhwar Peth.
Within a fortnight of the inauguration, the concerned people set out to hunt for independent premises for the school. And their efforts bore fruit soon. There was a plot of land owned by a certain Patwardhan hailing from Sangli, and it was called Huzurpaga. Centrally located, it seemed right for a school. Huzur means Sir (sarkar) and Paaga means a stable. The reason why this place was called Huzurpaga was because this was where horses belonging to the Peshwas would be tied.
Earlier, bullock carts were used as transport to fetch the girls from their home and drop them back. But Huzurpaga being easily accessible from anywhere in town, this money spent on transport could now be saved. At that time, Huzurpaga had a road on three sides and a canal flowing past the fourth. Enclosed within the four walls were the stables.
In 1885, this land came into the hands of the school committee on a 99-year lease. The stables were thereafter converted into classrooms. The work was completed only in 1896, and till then the students would attend classes conducted in the Kibe Wada. After the work was completed, the school activities shifted to the newly-renovated Huzurpaga premises. At that time, there were about 90 girls enrolled. Avadibai Bhide was the first student and Miss Herford, the first lady superintendent.
