CARMEL BAL VIHAR CONVENT, SONARI, JAMSHEDPUR - 2009

The start of a journey of Carmel Bal Vihar goes back to 2009. The agreement was made on 3 August, 2009, between Bal Vihar and the Apostolic Carmel Congregation. The land allotted to us, building structures according to the at new survey, new Plot No. 156, Ward No.1 Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee over an area of 9.565 acres of land which was sub leased out by Tata Steel Limited in favour of the 1st Party ( Bal Vihar).

Sister Dipasha, the then Provincial Superior, Sister Mena D’Silva, Superior Carmel Convent, Sonari, signed the contract, the land of 2.19 acres was subleased to us to construct a School for the hearing impaired children ( Boys and girls) and a hostel for the boys of the School.

When the project was submitted to Tatas regarding the handing over of the Bal Vihar School - a school for the hearing impaired children to us it was with an assurance that we would give the students vocational courses, so that after leaving the school, they could stand on their own feet.

Sister Flavian took charge as Principal of the then existing school with 28 girls and 90 boys of which 53 boys lived in the School Hostel, the teaching staff being 10 and the non-teaching staff 10. Sister Flavian continued her office in Bal Vihar for 8 months. Sister Mena D’Silva took over for 2 months. In July, 2011, Sister Geetha took charge as Principal, Mr. Shital Chakraborty continued being in charge of the hostel. In June, 2017, Sister Merician took charge as Principal.

In the meantime Sister Mena D’Silva took charge of the construction of the new building with plans drawn up with the help of the Engineer, Mr. D.P. Sinha from Patna. The plans were first submitted to the Tatas for approval and then submitted to Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee. Sister Sylvie the then Principal of Carmel Junior College, rendered her help in getting the plans passed. The contract for the construction of the building was given to Mr. Bhola Rai, Patna. The other contractors were given the other fittings of the building. The estimated cost of the building was Rs. 5 crores out of which Tata Steel responded to our request by giving us one crore. One classroom was fully paid for and furnished by Mr. JAMIPOL, former Jamshedpur Injection Power Limited, the cost of which was Rs. 10 lakhs. The infrastructure for the vocational courses has been provided right at the start of this building.

Blessing of the foundation of Carmel Bal Vihar was held on 4 August, 2011, by Rev. Bishop Felix Toppo, S.J., Our Superior General, Sister Agatha Mary A.C. was present for the same, Tata Officials accepted our invitation and were present for the blessing.

Sister Mena D’Silva, the then superior of Carmel Convent, Sonari, saw to the completion of the School, Convent and Hostel building. Sister Sylvie also helped in the purchasing of the bus for the school and car for the sisters. This in fact, is an extension project, of Carmel Junior College, as most of the needs, financial and material were seen to by Carmel Junior College. This is still being continued as their Social Work Project.

Carmel Bal Vihar School, Hostel and Convent was inaugurated and blessed on November 8, 2014. The Community was formed, comprising Sister Mena D’Silva temporarily Sister-in- Charge, Sister Geetha the Principal, of Carmel Bal Vihar School with Sister Victoria Jyothi and Sister Savitha teaching in Carmel Junior College.