Giant bell, desks give moments of concern too

THIRUVANANATHAPURAM: "The giant bell at SMV High School in Thiruvananthapuram resonates in a way that is unheard of anywhere else," says Bharathanoor C Vasantha Kumaran, who is the Staff Council secretary.Though he is one person who can throw light on the history of the school, having compiled it for the school magazine once, even he cannot tell you how much the bell weighs. It is there since 1943, nobody has removed it, he says. "What is heard is that it took at least three people to move it around," he adds.The bell has a few scribbling on its sides, which reads Gillett and Johnston, Croydon. Also written is 1920 Vanjiour school, which suggests that it must have been shipped here when the school was functioning at Vanchiyoor (present court premises). It is an alloy material, nothing more is known about its composition too.The school also possess dualdesks with German iron rods which were also shipped to Travancore when the school began functioning on the present premises. The SMV school itself has a history which is intertwined with the history of Travancore. According to school records, it started during the time of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal. It also has a temple inside the school compound, a rare sight these days.Though there are moments of pride for them, the bell and the desks give moments of concern too for the school authorities.