Baswa (Birbhum), April 2: For four decades, Baswa Girls’ High School has had one thing in common — a frail man in a shirt and lungi wielding a bamboo stick in front of the main gate.

Known as Ala da, Sadre Ala Khan, 63, was today felicitated by the Birbhum school authorities for guarding the building without ever asking to be paid since 1974. Called on the dais, he had no words but only tears to express his “love” for the school.

“The man not only guarded the school for 40 years but also has been a guardian to the students. He is not our employee, but has been here with his bamboo stick for so many years,” said headmistress Kuntalshree Chowdhury.

Khan said pointing to his stick: “Outside many girls’ schools, boys loiter and pass comments. But here, nobody dares to come within 50 metres of the gate.”