Gairatpur Baas school
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Annie Howard
Sharad Kohli Sep 4, 2023: The Times of India
Gurgaon : Life for Annie Howard would not have been the same when her husband, Martin, passed away in April 2021. Now, this much-loved Englishwoman, one half of a couple who gave their hearts to a corner of the Aravalis, has breathed her last, leaving behind a treasure trove of memories among the many who had the joy of knowing her.
Those who spent time with Annie, in and around the villages of Tikli and Gairatpur Baas, and in the wider community beyond, spoke of a “huge sadness” at the loss of a “lovely” and “kind” personality.
Nisha Yadav, principal at Gairatpur Baas Panchayat School (or Martin School, as locals fondly call it, in honour of the man who founded it), described Annie as the “heart and soul” of the place, a benign presence among the pupils. “She had a very motherly way about her and always supported us in any way she could, always checking in on us and asking if everything was okay,” Yadav told TOI.
“She would come in and inspect the school but was never interfering. She insisted on cleanliness being maintained and would ensure that the best standards were met to that end.” In 1990, Annie and Martin, who was naval adviser to the British high commission in Delhi, converted a one-time haveli into a Lutyens-inspired guesthouse and named it — with a marvello us sense of whimsy — Tikli Bottom. This luxury retreat became a magnet for backpackers as well as the well-heeled of Delhi. Annie it was who came across a plot of land on a dirt track in the Aravali range, near Tikli village, an hour’s drive out of Gurgaon. She made the down payment (so the story goes) with a bundle of rupees stuffed into a suitcase. And in this middle of nowhere, they made their home. But this English couple also nursed an ambition to give back to the community, devoting their years of retirement to improving the lot of disadvantaged kids. Saddened by the lack of quality education available to children locally, the Howards began a school, initially for the girls of Gairatpur Baas, in 2001. From 12 girls being taught in a concrete shed, the panchayat school has today transformed into a co-education facility of around 550 students — from nursery to 12th — endowed with every modern convenience.
Setting up the school proved to be an exercise in perseverance, Annie and Martin somehow managing to overcome bureaucratic hurdles by coaxing funds out of the government of the day. Still, these funds had to be supplemented by donations from visitors to Tikli Bottom, and the occasional magnanimity of notables like Sir John Major, the former Prime Minister of the UK. “Because of the people Annie knew, and those that Martin knew — people who would come from outside to visit Tikli Bottom — they were able to get donations from individuals as well as companies. Now, it’s on us to try and find the money, to try and keep the school going,” shared Yadav.
“Annie would personally go out of her way to help girl students, if any were facing difficulty — so, if a girl requested for a laptop, she would arrange for one.” Meanwhile, the profits from the guesthouse were ploughed back into the school’s running and upkeep.
And Annie took great pleasure in looking after the garden at Tikli Bottom, like she did her guests. “She tended to this garden and everything and everyone in her life with meticulous care, perfection, and diligent hard work,” reflected one admirer. In a quiet setting in pastoral Haryana, Annie Howard touched lives. Socially and personally, she leaves behind a legacy that can only inspire future generations of girls and boys in Gairatpur Baas into giving their very best to their community.
