Bethany Convent Ramdas, Punjab(16.07.1989)
Ramdas, a sleepy town of Amritsar district in Punjab is just 8 kilometres 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 BS, the Superior, Sr Agnes Sequeira BS, Sr Savina Nanda BS and Sr Veronica Monteiro BS – 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 Most Rev Symphorian Keeprath, the Bishop of Jalandhar Diocese, was blessed on 16 July 1989, 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 Regional Branch of Bethany Social Service Society under the name Ashadeep, 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 Pressy BS is the Superior of the Convent and Sr Priya Therese BS is the Principal.
