Proud to Be a Bishop’s School Student: Dr. Cyrus PoonawallaNew Academic Building of The Bishop’s School Inaugurated; Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla and Adar Poonawalla Honoured
Pune: “The Bishop’s School not only gave me an education but also laid the foundation for my entire life. Whatever I am today is largely because of this institution. I take immense pride in being an alumnus of The Bishop’s School and will always be ready to support its growth and development in any way possible,” said Padma Bhushan awardee and founder of the Serum Institute of India, Dr. Cyrus S. Poonawalla.
He was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the new academic building of The Bishop’s School in Pune’s Camp area. The event was attended by Principal and Honorary Secretary Shane Macpherson, Bishop Education Society President Rudolph Woodman, Dr. Poonawalla’s grandson Darius Poonawalla, Headmistress Mayura Barse, members of the school management, teachers, alumni, parents, and other distinguished guests.
The new building, constructed to expand the school’s academic infrastructure, has been made possible through the generous support of distinguished alumnus Dr. Cyrus S. Poonawalla and Adar C. Poonawalla. Their continued contribution and commitment have played a significant role in accelerating the institution’s development.
During the ceremony, Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla and Adar Poonawalla were felicitated for their invaluable contribution to the construction of the new building. They were presented with commemorative silver plaques by Rudolph Woodman and members of the governing board.
Recalling his school days, Dr. Poonawalla said, “Whenever I visit this school, I am flooded with memories. I studied here from 1949 to 1958, and many experiences from that time remain vivid in my mind. It is hard to believe that a student once known for mischief is standing here today as the chief guest. This new building is not merely a structure; it is a foundation for the bright future of generations of students. I consider it a privilege to have contributed to this initiative.”
Principal Shane Macpherson noted that the rich legacy of The Bishop’s School, which spans more than 160 years, has been strengthened by alumni such as Dr. Poonawalla. He said the institution’s new state-of-the-art facility has become a reality because of the Poonawalla family’s generous support and will greatly benefit students’ overall development.
Speaking about the institution’s journey, Rudolph Woodman said that the school, established in 1864 in the Camp area, has expanded over the years to include campuses in Kalyani Nagar and Undri. More than 6,000 students are currently enrolled across its three campuses, making it one of Pune’s most respected educational institutions. He also recalled that the school had previously honoured Dr. Poonawalla by naming a pedestrian bridge on the campus after him, recognizing his long-standing association with the institution.
Additional ₹10 Crore Announced for School Development
On the occasion, Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla announced an additional financial contribution of ₹10 crore for the school’s future development.
“Constructing buildings is important, but creating facilities that contribute to the holistic development of students is equally essential. This contribution is intended to support the school’s qualitative growth and various developmental initiatives,” he said.
The announcement was met with a standing ovation and enthusiastic applause from the audience.
