Pune: As Bhide Wada in Budhwar Peth, the place where Mahatma Phule and Savitribai Phule started the first school for girls, is in a dilapidated condition, ‘Bhide Wada Bachav Mohim’(BWBM) has appealed to the government to turn it into a ‘national memorial’.

Speaking about the issue, Prashant Phule, Chief of Bhide Wada Bachav Mohim, said, “Bhide Wada was the place where the first school for girls was started 170 years ago on January 1, 1948. 
They went through a lot of suffering and condemnation to bring about this change. Bhide Wada stands for this significant history of girls’ education. Hence, it has to be preserved.”

He added that one of the main reasons for the neglect of this monument was people’s ignorance about its significance.
“Even Puneites know nothing about Bhide Wada. Despite being right in the heart of the city in front of the most popular Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganesh Temple, the wada is highly neglected. 

“During our ‘Save Bhide Wada’ campaign, we came across so many people who had no idea as to where the wada is located, let alone its condition,” Phule said.

The groud floor of the wada is occupied by shop owners. “While the Pune Municipal Corporation is ready to provide these shopkeepers with alternative space, they are not ready to vacate the shops, even during the renovation period. 

The government needs to figure out a way to convince them to allow the renovation of the wada for the sake of this historical monument,” Phule said.