06. Bethany Convent Ramdas, Punjab

Sr M Diana Serrao BS
Superior

Members of the Community

 Bethany Convent building

 Youth ministry

 Educational ministry

Teaching catechism

Ramdas, a sleepy town of Amritsar district in Punjab is just 8 kilometers away from Pakistan border. Illiteracy, being rampant in this area, the Bethany Sisters at the invitation of Most Rev  Symphorian Keeprath, the Bishop of Jalandhar Diocese,  started a convent in this border  district  on 15 July 1989. It was a time when terrorism in Punjab was at its peak. But the four pioneer sisters of Ramdas mission - Sr Helima, the Superior, Sr Agnes Sequeira, Sr Savina Nanda and Sr Veronica Monteiro- dared to be in this lonely area extending fullness of life for the villagers through their developmental activities. The convent which was an old house given by the Bishop was blessed by him on 16 July, the Foundation Day of the Congregation. Life in this house surrounded by large number of mud house residences of people was unlike the conventional setting of a convent. Open toilet was one of the many surprises the sisters faced.

The sisters cycled through the villages and executed brilliant plans for organizing women into Self Help Groups, Youth groups and extending Medical services. Noticing the prevailing illiteracy and skewed sex ratio, a Punjabi Medium school which is now converted into an English Medium School was started. 800 students are on the role.

ASHADEEP: the  Regional branch of Bethany Social Service Society, is a powerful Centre that carries on various services. 30 villages are covered with 100 days employment schemes, loans for construction of houses and toilets, open schooling, graduation programme for the village girls and skill training programme. Pastoral service to the Catholics, Bethany Lay Association, Bethany Champions, women’s empowerment movements are also the focus of the mission at Ramdas. Sr Diana is the Superior of the Convent and Sr Anita Mendonca, the Principal.

Year of establishment : 16.07.1989