Sr M Gracy Gamjya BS
Superior
Members of the Community
Convent building
Science exhibition
Education ministry
Allahabad has a unique place among the cities of India. It is known as the city of Prime Ministers because of seven out of 14 Prime ministers belong to Allahabad. It is the second oldest city of our country and plays a central role in the Hindu Scriptures. Every year lakhs of people flock to “SANGAM”, the holy place for Hindus. Sangam is the confluence of the three sacred rivers – Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. The people thirst for God & their search for Him can be so vividly seen as millions of people, rush to have a dip in the sacred Sangam during “Kumbh Mela”. It is a sight to behold. This scared Sangam makes Allahabad ‘Tirth Raj’ or King of all the pilgrim centres of India. Bethany Convent School standing at the proximity of holy Sangam, in Naini, complements its holiness by being a symbol of enlightenment & virtues.
In 1965 Naini, the satellite at the town of Allahabad did not have a good educational Institute in those days. Naini was then connected to Allahabad only by an old bridge constructed in 1927 by the British. Moreover, Naini was famous for its Central Jail. In 1965 people of Naini approached Most Rev. Raymond D’Mello, the Bishop of Allahabad, to start an educational Institution in Naini.
At the behest of Most Rev. Raymond D’Mello, the then Bishop of Allahabad, Mother Macrina, the Superior General, sent five sisters to Allahabad. Sr Rosine. Sr Noeline, Sr Maria Rosé, Sr Geraldine and Sr Eunice were the fortunate ones selected by Mother Macrina to start Bethany Mission in Allahabad. They left Mangalore on 29th June 1965 and reached Allahabad on 2nd July. They were the guests in the Bishop’s house. They were escorted on 4th July 1965 by Br Innocent to their residence in the guest house of Cotton Mills in the Industrial colony in Naini.
The land for the school was acquired at great cost through the efforts of Fr Faustin Alva and by the former Bishop Dr Leonard Raymond. His successor, Bishop Raymond D’Mello undertook the construction of the school building and entrusted it to Fr Paul Menezes, who was also placed in charge of the new mission at Naini. This zealous priest braved the unusual heat of May and June and pushed through the work of construction.
Since Naini was a backward area known also for criminal activities, it was believed that an English Medium School there would be far from reality. But the people were delighted when on 12th July 1965 the sisters started an English Medium School with 60 students from classes K.G.to III with Sr Rosine as the first principal.
The school steadily grew with the committed service of the sisters and staff. In 1976 the first batch of 7 students appeared for the U.P. Board Examination. The school was affiliated to the CBSE Board on 25th November1975 under the dynamic leadership of Mother Gemma, the then Regional Superior.
Bethany Convent School which began with 60 students, at present has about 2600 students on the role. It enjoys a unique position in Naini and also in Allahabad. It is a phenomenal success due to the untiring labour of all the Superiors, Principals, staff and students. Students of the school continue to excel in studies and other co–curricular activities. A significant number every year come in the top positions in the Board Examination.
The school was elevated to Senior Secondary status on 2nd April 2008, due to the inspiring leadership and persistent efforts of Sr Helima, the Principal. The school has a magnificent Senior Secondary Block constructed under the supervision of Sr Lyra, the superior, and Sr Helima the Principal.
The Institution has introduced innovative methods to achieve excellence in academic from 2006 onwards with the guidance of Sr Oliva & Sr. Benedicta the Principals. The class rooms are well equipped with modern technology.
Year of establishment: 02.07.1965