Mangalore: BEM Educational Institutions celebrate 175 years
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (DV)
Mangalore, Sep 7: When there was no education, society was filled with oppression, discrimination, superstitious beliefs. Three missionaries from Basel, Switzerland along with three other missionary came here and built BEM Educational Institutions and served the society, said MLA J R Lobo.
He was speaking at the 175th year celebrations of BEM Educational Institutions held here Saturday September 7.
“Missionaries were not only visionaries but they also implemented their visions without expecting anything in return. Present day education has become a business instead of a means to provide knowledge," Lobo added.
Dr Hannibal R Cabral, principal of Theological College launched the institution website and said, “Missionaries came to India with two intentions - observation and mission. Their contribution to education was really beneficial to society. Without any expectations, they worked a lot for the betterment of society."
Philomena Lobo, principal and joint director, College of Education spoke on this occasion.
Walter J Maben, president of celebration committee delivered the keynote address.
“BEM Educational Institution is the oldest institution of south India. Established in 1838 by German Christian Missionaries, at a time when there was no trace of education in this part of the country which was ridden with ignorance, poverty, various superstitious beliefs. School was started with the motto of ‘Heavens Light Our Guide’. As early as the year 1815 September 26 Basel Mission was founded by a small group of devoted men who met at Basel City Switzerland. This Mission was named after this great Blessed Basel City with a vision focused on development of society and human culture, especially on the side of socio-economy and ethics," he said.
"Having set up many stations in Europe, the financial position of the Basel Mission Society decided to send three missionaries to India. On February 12, 1834, Basel Mission decided to send three missionaries to India to establish Basel Mission Stations. The three missionaries were Johan Christopher Lehner, Christian Lenhard Greiner and Samuel Hebich who set out on March 31, 1834 from Basel and landed in coastal Calicut on August 1834 and moved on to Mangalore on October 30, 1834.
"The original commission with which the missionaries were sent to India was to establish schools and also institutions for training future missionaries. The mission of educating was considered important.
"In the year 1846 the Basel mission started an Industrial School to train people in weaving, carpentry, clock manufacturing industry, black smithy, and printing in Mangalore.
"Later missionaries also built orphanages, schools, home for aged widows and poor, sick houses with nursing care, residence for the missionaries, cemetery for the community, church buildings, meeting rooms, seminary, hospital, boarding homes. Their also tremendously contributed and concern for spiritual, social and economical development of local people," Maben said.
Jayashankar P welcomed.
Corporators Rajendra, Ramiza Naseer, Vittalacharya, Alwyn Manohar Anand, John Anchan, Roshan Kumar, Jayanthi were present on the occasion.