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| History Of St.
Patrick’s Vidya Bhawan |
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FOUNDER AND FOUNDATION |
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Rt.
Rev. Henry Fortunatus Caumont |
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The
beginning of the Mission Sisters of Ajmer (MSA) Education
System were laid first in 1913 in a school, in the
city of Ajmer for the poor street children and orphans.
It was known as St. Imelda's school. In 1919 the Rt.
Rev. Henry Fortunatus Caumont our Founder, established
the first Sophia School in Ajmer for the education
of girls. He was the first Bishop of the Ajmer Diocese
which covered then, practically the whole of Rajputana
(the present Rajasthan). Hailing from the beautiful
land of France, Rev. Fr. Fortunatus Caumont O.F.M.
Cap. came to India as a young missionary priest in
1897. Being a man of vision and foresight he realized
that the extreme backwardness and illiteracy of the
people especially in the rural areas could be eliminated
only if the women were given basic education. This
was particularly the case of Rajput women. |
While the men enjoyed the rights of a princely feudal system
and the best of education in the ‘Princes’ College
of Mayo at Ajmer, woman's education was neglected.
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Sr.
Mother Mary
Matilda |
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Bishop
Caumont saw the prime need of uplifting the women.
So he took up gigantic task in 1911, with the help
of his sister Mother Mary Matilda, he founded an indigenous
Congregation, the Mission Sisters of Ajmer to serve
the needs of the people of Rajputana. To them, his
Mission Sisters, he entrusted the task of educating
the girls and in 1919, he started the first school
for them in Ajmer, Rajasthan (Rajputana).
The name he gave the school and the motto he framed
are both significant of the educational ideal he had
in mind. ‘Sophia’ in Greek means WISDOM,
and Wisdom is summed up in ‘VACHAN’ the
Eternal Word, the source of true wisdom. We as educationalists
are to give true wisdom to the children in our schools
and colleges. |
In 1930, Bishop Henry Fortunatus Caumont passed away. In him,
Mother Mary Matilda lost a staunch supporter and adviser.
Over the years, Mother Matilda saw the Sophia School in Ajmer
take deep roots, turn into a High School. Through her dedicated
worker, the Mission Sisters of Ajmer, she was able establish
such schools in other parts of the county, mainly in the major
cities of Rajasthan. |
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OUR FIRST STUDENT |
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Story
of Nargace Dalal
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Nargace
Dalal |
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The
school in its progress has recalled to our memory a
girl Nargace Dalal who one morning in July, 1935 was
seen at the railway station, Jodhpur, crying and shedding
tears because she did not want to leave home and go
outside to Jodhpur to study.
A friend jokingly said, “If you don’t wish
to go to Sophia we shall bring Sophia to you”.
These words though unthinkingly said, were prophetic,
the prophecy was fulfilled within two years and in 1937
as predicted, Sophia came to Jodhpur with four mission
sisters of Ajmer.
The history of the school will further acquaint you
with the remaining details. |
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FOUNDATION OF SPS |
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| Mr. Billamchand Bhandari |
Sir Donald Field |
Sh. Umed Singh Ji
Maharaja Of Jodhpur |
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The
foundation of Saint Patrick’s was laid on 3rd October
1936. The work went on at a speed that was astonishing at
that time and the structure was ready for occupation in March,
1937. Within 4 ½ months the edifice was ready for use.
This was due to the personal interest taken by the then ruler
His Highness Maharaja Ummed Singh ji of Jodhpur, Sir Donald
Field, the Chief Minister, Mr. Bilam Chand Bhandari, the then
Finance Secretary and Mrs. Sterling a great social worker.
Thus, the female education in Jodhpur was started.
At the very outset the School started with small classes running
from First Primer to Fifth class. Year after year the classes
were increased with a view of preparing the students for the
Cambridge Examination. Intermediate classes were started in
1944 and continued till 1946. Three batches of girls were
prepared and sent up for the Intermediate examination. The
conditions laid down by the department for intermediate classes
were beyond our means and we had to wind up the intermediate
classes in 1946. In 1945-46 provisional recognition was granted
for a High School and permanent recognition was granted in
1947. The growth and success of an institution depends on
teachers of integrity and capability. Under their guidance
our students have year after year won laurels for the Institution
in academics, physical and cultural fields.
Education is one of the most powerful weapons of human progress
and a nation can progress only in proportion to its advancement
of education. The chief aim of education is development of
three faculties; physical, mental and spiritual. True education
must do justice to all the three. It is gratifying that St.
Patrick’s has neglected none of these three aspects.
The blessings of Providence can be clearly seen in the steady
progress of the school and we are very grateful to God for
all that He has done and is doing. |
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