Strengthening Educational Infrastructure in Agra: Japan's Grant Aid Project Reaches Completion

Agra, April 2025 

A heartwarming ceremony marked the successful completion of the “Educational Facility Development and Environmental Education Project for Primary and Secondary Schools in the Poor Areas of Agra City,” held at Kalwari Primary and Secondary School. Supported under the Japan NGO Partnership Grant Aid, the project represents a significant step in strengthening Japan-India cooperation in education, sustainability, and community development.

Jiro Kodera, Economic Counselor, Embassy of Japan in India at Kalwari Primary and Secondary School

The event was graced by Jiro Kodera, Economic Counselor at the Embassy of Japan in India, along with distinguished guests including local education officers, village leaders, and representatives from CURE India and ARTIC Japan. The ceremony celebrated not only the transformation of the school infrastructure but also the deep-rooted cultural and developmental ties shared between Japan and India.

Sharing impactful address by Jiro Kodera during the ceremony marking a milestone in Indo-Japan collaboration.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Aap sabhi ko, mera sadar namaskar (Heartfelt greetings to all of you!)

Main Jiro Kodera hoon, Bharat mein, Japan ke dootavash mein, Economic Counselor (I am Jiro Kotera, Economic Counselor at the Embassy of Japan in India)

Aap sabhi se milkar bahut khushi hui (I am very happy to meet all of you)

Main, aaj ke, samaro ke, aayojan ke liye, CURE, ARTIC, school sadasya, aur, Agra ke, sabhi adhikariyon ka, abhaar vyakt karna chahta hoon (I would like to express my gratitude to CURE, ARTIC, the school members, and all the officials of Agra for organizing today's ceremony)

Japan aur Bharat ne, do hazar bais mein, rajnaik sambandho ki, sthapna ki, sattarvi varshgath manai (In 2022, Japan and India celebrated the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations)

Vartaman mein, Japan aur Bharat ke beech, arthik, rajnetik, aur, sanskritik rishte, bahut mazboot hain (Currently, the relations between Japan and India are very strong in the fields of economy, politics, and culture)

Aaj main, Bharat aur Japan ke beech ke sambandho ke vishay mein, baat karna chahunga (Today, I would like to talk about the relations between Japan and India)

For us Japanese, Agra holds a special place. There is no Japanese who doesn't know the Taj Mahal, and for us, Agra is a dream city that everyone aspires to visit at least once in a lifetime. I am truly delighted that today, in such an important and cherished place, the inauguration ceremony of a school supported by the Japanese government is being held, marking a new chapter of cooperation between Japan and India.

I would like to express my respect for Kalwari School, which has provided education to about 350 students for many years. Unfortunately, in the past, Kalwari School faced severe challenges such as insufficient classrooms and staff rooms, a lack of desks and chairs, and deteriorated facilities and equipment. There was no indoor dining area, causing difficulties during the rainy season and extreme heat. The school had only 6-7 toilets for about 350 students, often out of order. Additionally, the drinking water contained harmful substances, and waste management was inadequate, diminishing the students' motivation to learn.

Therefore, in close cooperation with CURE and ARTIC, Japan decided to launch “the Project of School-building Restoration/extension and Environment Education to Kalwari Primary and Junior High School”. Through this project, we have built and expanded classrooms, staff rooms, covered corridors, multipurpose rooms, library and audiovisual rooms, a stage, and an outdoor mini-theater. The number of toilets for students and staff will be more than doubled. We have also ensured safe drinking water through a rainwater harvesting system and wastewater treatment system, and install solar panels to provide electricity. By creating new playgrounds, flower beds, and gardens, we aim to promote the health and emotional development of the students. Furthermore, we will hold participatory workshops on water circulation, nutrition, and waste management to maintain a safe and healthy environment.

This support reflects the wishes of Japan and the Japanese people for the students here to learn and grow healthily. Please keep the facilities clean and use them with care for many years to come.

Let me briefly explain why the Japanese government is providing such support. Eighty years ago, Japan was defeated in World War II. As a resource-poor island nation, in order to rebuild the country from literal ashes, Japan focused on three things: education, education, and education. Despite the destruction of schools and classrooms, open-air classes were held nationwide, teaching subjects like language, mathematics, science, social studies, and ethics. This power of education revived the nation, developed science and technology, created industries, and transformed Japan into one of the world's leading economic powers.

At the same time, India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, generously decided to exempt Japan from war reparations to aid its post-war recovery. With support from India and other countries, Japan was able to rebuild. Therefore, this project is, in a way, a gesture of gratitude to India for its generosity so far. Japan is India's largest bilateral donor, and since the fiscal year 2004, India has consistently been one of the largest recipients of Japan’s ODA.

All of the students here at the Kalwari school are the hope and future of India. I hope this project will be of some help to your studies. And if possible, I would be delighted if this project sparks your interest in Japan. In the future, you will undoubtedly become bridges connecting Japan and India. This school is truly a symbol of the hopeful and promising relationship between Japan and India.

The success of this project is a testament to the dedication and hard work of many individuals. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been involved in this project. However, our shared desire to create a better future for the children of the Kalwari region is still a journey in progress. I look forward to continued and ever-increasing commitment and cooperation from all involved.

Finally, I would like to conclude my speech with a quote from the great poet Kabir, who hailed from Uttar Pradesh:

Dheere dheere re mana

Dheere sab kuchh hoye

Maali seenche so ghara

Ritu aaye phal hoye

(Meaning: Slowly, slowly, O mind, everything happens at its own pace. Even if the gardener waters with a hundred buckets, the fruit will only appear when the season arrives.)

Achieving the fruits of our efforts requires time and patience. Let us continue to move forward, nurturing the seeds of progress and ensuring that they bear the fruits of success for a better future.

Thank you very much and Dhanyavaad!