"To commemorate his beneficent and altruistic service in the cause of education in Mhow, this high school is named after him as Khan Bahadur Edulji Pestonjee Memorial High School... The formal opening ceremony was performed by the Hon’ble Sir Reginald Glancy, the then hon’ble agent to the governor general in Central India, Indore on 17th Dec, 1928 AD. The cost of the original building Rs 57,500 was defrayed by the Govt of India.” A photograph of the inscription on the plaque as also details of Edulji’s contributions were forwarded to Parsiana by Behram Masani.
After the starting of the Mhow Zoroastrian School in 1863 to which Khurshedji Nusserwanji Cama of Bombay is supposed to have donated and raised generous amounts, Edulji Pestonji Birdi (Ghaswala) with the help of other Parsis had a new building constructed to house the School in 1866. Two years later it was thrown open to boys of all communities. In 1886, Edulji’s son Khurshedji started another school and named it Khan Bahadur Edulji Pestonji High School. In 1893 the two schools were merged: the High School was converted into an Anglo-Vernacular School teaching English up to Std IV and the Mhow Zoroastrian School taught English from Std V to University entrance level. The institute was named K. B. Edulji Pestonji and Mhow Zoroastrian High School. Khurshedji purchased a piece of land for Rs 4,000 and donated Rs 5,000 for the construction of a spacious Anglo-Vernacular School. He also pledged Rs 150 being rent of his bungalow for the running of the two schools.
Edulji: philanthropic educationist
The foundation stone of this school was laid on October 22, 1890 by Maj Gen R. Gillespie, as reported in The Times of India the next day. This news item from The Times Archives was reprinted in its edition of August 29, 1996: "Cursetjee Eduljee, in a few well chosen words, gave the history of the high school...from its original institution up to the present time when for the purpose of more concentrated efforts, a union had been formed with the Mhow Zoroastrian High School wherefore this school is now being built more efficiently to carry out the envisaged plans. Gen Gillespie, before laying the stone, said he had long desired the union and systematizing of the educational work in Mhow and felt sure of the good results which must assuredly come forth. He paid a high compliment to the Parsi community throughout India for the generous and liberal way in which they have always interested themselves, both in education and also in every good work... Cursetji was not only maintaining the traditions of his countrymen, but showing himself a worthy son of his father by his generosity...”
Cooverji Cowasji Bharucha served as honorary secretary of the School for 25 years. In 1924 the Cantonment Board, Mhow started thinking of a High School of its own which was built at the expense of the Central Government and named in memory of Edulji as decided at the board meeting on February 25, 1928. In 1954 the Cantonment Board handed over this School to the State Government and made it a condition that the name would be retained, writes Masani while informing that the present Appoo family in Mhow are descendants of the Birdi (Ghaswala) family.