Haveri, July 9 -- In an inspiring gesture that has won widespread appreciation, the headmistress of a government school in Karnataka's Haveri district chose to celebrate her son's birthday by transforming the school where she serves instead of spending on a lavish celebration. The initiative has given a fresh identity to the Government Urdu Higher Primary School at Hamsabhavi village in Hirekerur taluk and has become a talking point across the district.

Headmistress Umai Salma Kadoor , who has been serving at the school for the past four years, spent nearly Rs 2 lakh from her personal savings to repaint the entire campus and beautify the classrooms. The school, which had faded walls and had not been painted for years, now resembles a col...