The story is old as 140 years back. There were two friends namely shri Jerajbhai Pirbhai Khalakdana from village Bharapar near Kera. Jerajbhai had a good business at Mumbai so living with family there. He was illiterate however had everlasting love for education. Ladakbhai was living at Kera and was childless. His earning was through weaving and had savings of 1000 Kori (Kutchii currency) at that time. He could sense his daughter shortly. So he called his friend Jerajbhai to suggest how to spend savings in some noble work.
Shri Jerajbhai
was very well-known for his honesty, charity and love towards education. There
was one school in his native Bharapur having named in memory of his father. He
could see that there is no school at Kera so thought it proper to start the
school at Kera. His friend Ladakbhai happily welcomed this proposal.
Unfortunately Ladakbhai passed away on 05/02/1867.
Shri
Jerajbhai was firm to his promise to Ladakbhai. He purchased a building costing
2500 Kori nearby ‘Dargah of Pirshri Gulam Alishah’ as soon as “ Sheth Ladakbhai
Somji School” was started on 15/07/1867. There was a free education in this
school upto standard 7th in Gujarati medium, and standard up to 3rd in English
medium. It was a unique incident of having school at small village. There was a
very small turnout of children in school through free education. Jerajbhai
visited each and every house to convince parents to send their children to
school. Parents were not ready to lose wages of children. Jerajbhai offered to
pay the daily wages. He also offered free slate, pen and books. This is how the
school was started.
It had
become difficult to run the school from small fund of 7500 Kori. Time and again
interest earnings were not sufficient to meet the expenses to run the school. Jerajbhai
undertook the responsibility and started to donate Rs. 3000/- per annum. a new
building reconstructed at same location and named as “Kasimali Jerajbhai
Education Hall and Institute” in the year of 1941. In the year of june 1966 the
High School was started as wished by the villagers. It was named as “ Sheth
Jerajbhai Pibhai and Sheth Ladakbhai Somji High School-Kutch-Kera”. It is being
run in this name till the date. These were the founders of Education in Kera.
- History of Education in Kera
A village KERA is 19kms away from Bhuj (Capital of Kutch District). Kera is an ancient historical village having available modern amenities. Kapil Muni Ashram is a tourist as well as spiritual place where saint Kapil did penance (sadhna). A temple ‘LAKHESHWAR’ is known for its sculpture.
Kera was the capital city of kutch under the rule of a king LAKHA FULANI, who was well-known king in the history of Gujarat. King LAKHA trained antelope to run chariout. A visit of Flamingoes (Surkhab) to Kutch in winter was made public during LAKHA’s rule. A seed of millet was brought during his rule. He was well-known for donation. He sacrificed his life near ‘Aatkot’ while fighting g\for his good friend Gruhripu. He was called as ‘Pachchham’ Hindu Patshah’ ( A king of western Hind) by CHARAN (Poets).
Khoja Alladina Vishram of East Africa whose built a Alldina Vishram high school in Mombasa was from Kera. In E.A. he was known as king without crown.
Haji mohmmad alarakhya Shivaji, an editor of monthly ‘Visami Sadi’ was native of Kera. This monthly inspired Ravisankar Rawal and Kanayalal Munshi. The forefathers of justice Mohmmad Karim Chawda were also a native of Kera. The poets Chanium Madankuvar ‘Khval’ and Vrajgavj Kandh are from Kera. A tomb of Gulam Ali Shah Pir is famousfor festival.
Sheth Jerajbhai Pirbhai Education president of Bombay Port Trust is founder of Primary School and High school which are now being manage by Leva Patel Trust.
At present K.G.School, Primary School. English Medium Primary School, High School and I.T.I. are run in a gorgeous building constructed at the border of Baladia, Naranpar and Kera through donations from Leva Patels Known for their hard work and adventure in the world.
Welcome to this educational institute of Kera.