Journey of SJS Khanusa
A story of true grit and perseverance and at the root of this all, a man who dared to dream for the children in his school.
Where sustainable development is life…
Mr. Peter Pullambra and his dream child S.J.S, Khanusa
Tucked away in a corner of Gujarat is this lovely place Khanusa. Over an area of 20 acres, there stands a school with a history that would make every Indian proud. A story of true grit and perseverance and at the root of this all, a man who dared to dream for his nation.
Mr Peter Pullambra wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth. In a family of 8, he was the 2nd of 3 brothers & 3 sisters. As is the story of most Indian families, his father could not afford the education for all his sons. When Peter was only in his 5th grade, his younger brother, then 10, quit school and help their father on the farm. For young Peter, formal schooling could continue for the next 3 years. It was a life of arduous grit. Up early in the morning to help Dad on the farm, attend school and finish off the day with hard labour on the farm again. But he was born with one gift ‘living a life close to nature.
Financial woes and the lack of a school in the immediate area post 8th grade made him join Leo XIII, from where he completed his 10th and then 12th grade at Trichi, with support from the religious and benefactors. Being a bright student, Peter had wished to pursue Engineering. This needed a handsome budget that couldn’t be organized. But with help from benefactors, he opted for B Sc (Physics) from St. Joseph’s College, Devagiri, Calicut.
After his graduation, Peter got his first break teaching at St. Michael’s, Kannur. His journey took him to Durgapur and finally to Don Bosco, Lilauah, Howrah in 1970 with his new wedded wife and partner for life, Mrs Mary Peter. The young couple had trouble joining a more promising school in Kolkata and the couple was invited to teach in St. Mary’s School, Mount Abu, Rajasthan. Towards the latter half of 1973, Mrs Mary was informed of not being allowed to continue in this school.
More often than not, we take obstacles in life as setback. On the other hand, some like Mr Peter Pullambra only took these as opportunities. On 2nd October 1973, a dream harboured for long finally found wings and Mrs and Mr Peter gave birth to their firstborn, their very own school in Mount Abu, St. Joseph’s School. In 1974, with a total strength of 4 students. St. Josephs thereafter saw a slow but steady expansion to more than 200 students in a couple of years. Mr and Mrs Peter had to abandon this dream at Mount Abu because authorities denied them permission to expand the school building even after procuring land. So in 1980, they finally moved to Pilvai, Vijapur and started the school in spacious rented college hostel buildings and saw its full capacity in the very first year itself in March 1980 which eventually became the harbinger of international and progressive thoughts, borne solely of a mind enriched in wisdom and an honest vision. Finally, in 1987 the very first proud batch of SSCE students with a 100% pass percentage emerged from this school with such a rich history.
The school eventually moved onto Khanusa where 10 acres of land was purchased, this time successfully, to expand the school and accommodate day scholars along with boarders.
High school was moved to their own property in 1992 and finally, in 1997, the couple moved the entire school to Khanusa in Vijapur 1997. With this move, Mr Peter Pullambra moved there himself and devoted his life, full time, to his dream of excellence. Very soon, in the same year, he was joined by his son, Joy Pullambra, the efficient second generation of the family to take over the role of running an Institution ably founded by his father.
The father-son duo took a leap from here. With a vision for excellence, Mr Peter Pullambra had inculcated the concept of a holistic and sustainable all-around development in his students from an early age. Now, alongside his son, the duo went into full drive. Mostly championed by Joy Pullambra, the school took marked strides in many walks of life. Not just in sports, especially in soccer and hockey, but in an education that makes students grow closer to nature. Students at St. Joseph’s School have a life alongside academics of hands-on handling of biogas plants, using solar cookers, percolation wells, harvesting organic crops and fodder for cattle and a real-life experience of rainwater harvesting.
Yes, Mr Peter Pullambra is one such Indian who has walked the talk of creating a sustainable ecosystem where students harvest organic crops. He has unwittingly adhered to most of the goals laid down by the UN towards the sustainable development of students in school. Yes, Mr Peter Pullambra is indeed an icon and a visionary of our times. Away from the limelight and an unsung hero, whose aim is to bring a perfect balance between academics, nature and life. Kudos Sir!
And now, under the able leadership of the second generation, his son, Mr Joy Pullambra, we can say with confidence that St. Joseph’s School, Khanusa, is in brilliant hands.