A Century
Of Service : Milestones for Bombay Institution for Deaf & Mutes (1885-1985)
1885
A small school for the deaf was established by Dr. Leo Meurin S. J., then
Vicar
Apostolic of Bombay, at his residence on Meadow's Street (now Nagindas Master Road),
Fort Bombay.
The school started with only 5 pupils and was headed by Mr. T. A.
Walsh, an Irishman
who learned the art of teaching the deaf in Belgium and was specially brought to
India by Dr. Leo Meurin.
1886
The first public exhibition was given by the pupils, trained in barely twelve
months, receiving applause from the Bombay Gazette on 8th March 1886.
Towards the end of the year, the school shifted from the Archbishop's residence at
Meadow's Street to a one-storeyed building at Grant Road with a playground.
The
rental was Rs. 110 per month, accommodating 50 pupils, but there were only
23 pupils
on the roll.
Dr. Leo Meurin & Staff
1887
The first Committee of Management was formed with Mr. Thos S. Baker as
the first
President.
Dr. Leo Meurin, the Vicar Apostolic of Bombay, was the ex-officio
patron and member
of the committee.
1902
A Deed of Trust was executed on 9-12-1902, appointing Rev. James
Russell Goldsmith,
Mr. Dominic Joseph Ferreira, and Mr. Richard William Didcock as the
first official
Trustees.
The Instrument of Trust incorporated the aims and objects, rules for control
and
management by an 11-member committee, admission rules for pupils, and a
schedule of
amounts held in bank accounts and municipal debentures.
Building in 1982
1903
The school was relocated from Grant Road to Nesbit Road, Mazagaon, occupying
an old
one-storeyed residential building.
This new location provided ample accommodation for school classes, the
Principal's
residence, and boarders' quarters on the first floor.
1912
On 11-9-1912, under the Indenture of Lease, the Government of
Bombay leased to the
Institution a 6000 sq. yd plot at Nesbit Road, Mazagaon, for 77 years
(from 1-1-1902
to 31-12-1978) at an annual ground rent of Rs. 64.00.
To provide technical training, the Institution started Needlework (for girls)
and
Carpentry (for boys) classes with competent instructors on staff.
Teaching
1935
The Institution celebrated its Golden Jubilee with His Excellency, Lord
Brabourne,
then Governor of Bombay, and Lady Brabourne as Guests of Honour.
A special Souvenir was published, and students presented an interesting
programme.
1954
The Institution was registered as a Public Educational Trust under the
Bombay Public
Trust Act 1950 on 30-10-1954 with Registration No. E-1025
(BOM).
Management was entrusted to the ICM Sisters, who had vast experience running
schools for the deaf.
The first batch of Sisters included:
Sister M. S. Beatrice (Principal)
Sister Godelieve Van Limbergen (Drawing Mistress)
Sister P. Cecily (Secretary)
The Boarding Section was closed down.
Sports
1971
The Government of Maharashtra granted a fresh lease of the land at
Mazagaon to the
Institution for 99 years, effective from the expiration of the previous
lease.
1978
His Grace, Archbishop Simon Pimenta, the Patron and Trustee of the
Institution, laid
and blessed the foundation stone of the new school building on
18-2-1978.
The project, estimated at Rs. 13.50 lakhs, was supported by MISEREOR (W.
Germany)
through the Indo-German Social Service Society.
Architects: J. B. Fernandes & Son, with Mr. J. B. Fernandes, a Trustee
and Board Member since 1960.
Fully-equipped Kitchen for cooking classes for girls
Formally opened by Dr. (Miss) Eva Linderman, Consul General of the Federal
Republic
of Germany, and blessed by Archbishop Simon Pimenta on 13th
December 1983.
The event was attended by:
Superior of the ICM Order in India
ICM Sisters formerly connected with the Institution
Board of Management Members, Parish Priests, School Principals
Teaching Staff, pupils, parents, donors, and well-wishers
The event featured an entertainment programme and an exhibition of student
handicrafts.
1985
Centenary Celebrations of the Institution, marking 100 years of dedication
and
service to the education of the deaf.
Celebrating an illustrious past and envisioning a glorious future, the Institution
reaffirmed its commitment to empowering the hearing-impaired community with renewed
vigor and purpose.