-P. Archibald Furtado
(Administrative Co-ordinator, National Group of Educational Institutions, Barkur)
As the gentle waves of the Sita River caress the sacred soil of Barkur, a silent yet powerful beacon of knowledge prepares to complete its first hundred years of selfless service. Nestled in the culturally rich village of Heradi, ‘Smt. Rukmini Shedthi Memorial National Higher Primary School’ (SRSMNHPS) stands proudly on the brink of its Centenary Celebrations — a rare and remarkable milestone in the annals of rural education in Coastal Karnataka.
A Legacy Rooted in History and Hope
Originally founded in 1925 as Heradi Shale, the school took root in the then Upkalkatte, now Heradi — a serene hamlet lying along the historic Udupi–Barkur–Shimogga trade route. Once a vital rest stop for traders transporting goods between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, Heradi sits gracefully between the Yedthadi and Barkur Panchayats. The surrounding villages—Maskibail, Yedthadi, Chande, Nagarmutt, Chaulikere, and Sankadi—are home to generations of agrarian families who have nurtured the values of simplicity, hard work, and learning.
The Seed of Transformation: 1925
The school’s noble journey began with the foresight and philanthropy of Late Maskibail Ramachandrayya, who served as its Founder-Manager and Correspondent for 35 years. For the first time, children from the region—regardless of caste or economic background—found a space to dream and learn.
His successors—M. Vasudeva Rao, Mrs. Durga Bhavani, B. Narayana Poojary, N. Bhojaraja Shetty, K. Chandrashekhar Shetty, and now A. Ratnakar Shetty—carried this vision forward with distinction and community-mindedness.
Turning Point in 1981: The BES Intervention
During the difficult years around 1978–80, when the school's future appeared bleak, a timely intervention came from The Barkur Educational Society (BES), founded in 1946. Then-president Mr. V. L. Roche, with a committed team, adopted the school into the BES family. Under the dynamic leadership of Mr. Manjunath Pai, the school was revived, restructured, and reaffirmed its mission to provide accessible, value-based education.
A Rebirth in 1988: A Legacy of Love
A new chapter unfolded in 1988 when alumni Maskibail Anand Shetty and his brothers, in a heartfelt tribute to their mother, gave the school a new identity—Smt. Rukmini Shedthi Memorial National School. With modern infrastructure including a spacious building, well-equipped classrooms, furniture, a stage, and a playground, the school was transformed into a model Kannada-medium institution in the Udupi region. Their Alma mater is fortunate to educate these great men – B. Sudhakara Shetty, B Shekar Shetty, Meenakshi Shedthi, B Dharmaraja Shetty, B Suresh Shetty and K Rajeeva Shetty and their respective family members and generously received back by way of all infra structure facilities over the years…pages not suffice to elaborate but remain grateful and profusely thank all of them…
The Heartbeat of Heradi: Its Teachers
No institution thrives without its educators. SRSMNHPS is blessed with a lineage of devoted headmasters and teachers whose influence echoes in the lives of its students across India and abroad. Names like Maskibail Subbanayya, M. Vasudeva Rao, B. Gopala Bhat, and G. Srikantayya are revered for their lifelong dedication.
Even today, in the face of declining enrolment in Kannada-medium schools, Headmaster Ratnakar Shetty and his committed staff persevere with inspiring dedication, bolstered by the support of BES and the Old Students’ Forum.
Educating to Empower: The School’s Mission
For nearly a century, SRSMNHPS has stood as a bastion of inclusive, value-based education. It has nurtured dreams, built confidence, and instilled discipline in generations of children—especially those from modest and underprivileged backgrounds. Through its walls have walked not just students, but future doctors, engineers, educators, and community leaders.
Its vibrant SDMC, active alumni, supportive parents, and the tireless BES management form a strong and cohesive educational ecosystem rarely seen in rural settings.
The Road to 100: Centenary Dreams and Plans
As the school prepares for its Centenary Celebrations in November–December 2025, there is a renewed sense of pride and purpose. The entire campus has already been interlocked, and further development is underway.
The Centenary Vision includes:
Creating a ‘Reserve Fund for teacher’s welfare and upkeep’
Modernizing classrooms and infrastructure
Implementing digital learning tools
Promoting academic and cultural enrichment programs
Reconnecting with the vast and diverse alumni network
A Call to Every Heart: Join the Centenary Mission
To drive these efforts, a dynamic Heradi School Centenary Committee led by Mr. Karunakar Shetty Sankadi and supported by 75 dedicated members from all walks of life has been formed. A heartfelt Centenary Appeal Letter is already in circulation—reaching out to former students, donors, and well-wishers across the globe to support this noble cause.
More Than a Celebration: A Shared Journey
The countdown to 100 is not just about numbers—it is a tribute to resilience, sacrifice, and community spirit. Every chalk mark, every class bell, every smile of a student walking into school with a book in hand and hope in heart — is part of this remarkable story.
As SRSMNHPS Heradi stands at the doorstep of a historic milestone, let us all come together — to honour its past, energise its present, and invest in its future.
‘To educate even one child is to change a family; to educate generations is to change a nation.’ For nearly a hundred years, Heradi Primary School has done both — faithfully and fervently — becoming a lighthouse of progress, culture, and compassion in the heart of rural Karnataka.
