Ahmedabad: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has completed conservation work at a historic vernacular school in Vadnagar where PM Narendra Modi studied as a child. Experts finished the work earlier this week.The school, established in 1888 and now renamed Vadnagar Kumar Shala No. 1, is where Modi studied from Class 1 to 7. The structure today forms part of the larger ‘Prerna School’ complex, where students from across the country come to take leadership lessons.ASI officials said the conservation work was initiated in May this year. The primary concerns with the structure, which had been restored earlier, included new cracks, tensile stress, and structural instability.“The investigation and subsequent remediation of the vertical cracks on the outside west wall and door/window arches of the school building were executed using a multi-step engineering approach to restore both structural integrity and aesthetic continuity,” said an official associated with the process, adding that care was taken to ensure the work improves the lifespan of the building.Treatments were also carried out for termites and moisture ingress. Structural reinforcement was also undertaken using copper strips and bars to evenly distribute the weight. The roof tiles were also replaced after restoration of the roof layout, the officials said.The team members said that a major restoration work has also been undertaken at the experiential archaeological museum for the fort wall in the area, where layers are being repaired and restored under expert supervision to improve the structure’s integrity and longevity.
