Western Province

Sr. Avelin BS
Superior
2020-23

Sr M Celine Pereira BS
Superior

Members of the Community

 Convent building

 Educational ministry

 Hostel ministry

Medical ministry

Social ministry

A branch of Bethany brought forth a shoot at Chittapur, Kalaburagi District in Karnataka in the year 1972 which then belonged to the Bellary Diocese.  It was Rt. Rev. Ambrose Yedanapalli, the second Bishop of the Diocese, who invited the Bethany sisters to work in the diocese through Fr. Anthony Puthenkalam, a zealous missionary, who worked strenuously to help his suffering brethren. Chittapur was a dry land often affected by famine and drought.  People were deprived of good education and health facilities.

Providentially, a local generous donor Dr Mahaling Marakini Bhat was unable to continue the English medium school that he was running.  He offered the school to Fr Anthony Puthenkalam his best friend, to continue it which later was handed over to Bethany sisters.  The sisters, namely, Sr Rosette the Superior, Sr Suguna and Sr Santhosh became the pioneers of Vidya Rani Convent, Chittapur in May 1972.  Sr Rosette was at the helm as the Headmistress of this school named as “Shishu Vihar Hr Pry School.”

A severe famine struck Chittapur and the surrounding area in the same year.  The poor people were hungry and thirsty.  Through the help of local donors ‘Ganji Kendra’ (Gruel Centre) was opened by the sisters to serve the hungry. Later this centre became the boarding for the poor children. At present in Jyothi Nilaya boarding there are 20 students and they are provided with good education and priority is given for their spiritual and all round development.
Sisters actively participate in pastoral activities in the parish.  They visit the families, teach catechism to the children and families and help them to deepen their faith.
 
Jyothi Seva Kendra:
In further developments reading the signs of the times, Jytohi Seva Kendra Trust was opened for the integral development of the families.  The centre reaches out to the poor and deprived sections of the society through education, health, sanitation, nutrition and clothing, income generating programme, skill training, housing and empowerment programmes.  In 1998 a dental clinic was started through a generous donor Dr. Michael Ohm from Germany. Dr Ohm had a big dream for this place and he supported to establish the dental clinic as a 25 bedded multi specialty Dr Ohm Indo- German Hospital. Twice a year the team of doctors from Germany through the leadership of Dr. Ohm visits the hospital and conduct surgeries.
 
Shishu Vihar Higher Primary School: The tiny seed which was sown has today become a mighty tree.  The Shishuvihar School which was begun with 8 students has seen its rapid growth. At present there are 904 students from K.G. to Std VII from the poor and middle class. It is a great joy that the seed of vocation for priestly and religious life is sown in the boarding and school.

As the year passed the needs and demands of the people increased. In 2006 an additional section was started. At present both Shishu Vihar Kannada and Bethany English medium schools from I to X flourish with a good school building and remarkable infrastructure. The dedicated staff, work had for the all round development of the children. Through various curricular and non-curricular activates children are able to develop their capacity and excel in all the areas of life.
 
Bethany High school:
In the year 2005 as per the decision of the Management, the Primary School was upgraded to a Kannada Medium High school.  A few class rooms were added to the existing school building in order to provide spacious rooms.

The students are provided with opportunities to participate in sports, science exhibition and other competitions at local, taluka, district and state level. The institution not only promotes intellectual knowledge but also instills spiritual values, love and respect for life, nature and the nation, by celebrating and keeping up days of importance like National festivals, Vanamahotsava day, Awareness day, Girl child day, Road Safety day etc. To imbibe the Bethany Core values, many activities are organized.
Though Chittapur is dry and humid terrain, the life kindled by the sisters through all its Institutions will never die; they bloom and spread the fragrance all over.   

Year of establishment : 25.05.1972