A bastion of women’s education
This 114yearold institution prides itself on producing gracious alumnae who are a rare combination of being wellgroomed and careeroriented
SHIMLA: Sequestered from the humdrum of the city by a thicket of towering cedars, rhododendrons and oak trees, St Bede’s College has a certain old-world charm to it. Upon entering its tall gates, narrow cobbled paths lead one to its picturesque ivy-clad stone edifices that hearken to India’s colonial past.
The buildings’ grey facades are enlivened by bright yellow windows that lend a certain je ne sais quoi to the college. With fresh-faced students milling about its stately campus, the college remains perennially vibrant despite the grey temperamental weather.
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The Congregation of Jesus and Mary, founded by St Claudine Thevenet during the French Revolution, established the college in 1904 as a teachers’ training institute. It was Reverend Mother St Clare who, while visiting all the Convents of Jesus and Mary in India, realised that there was a need for an institution that could groom women to be educators. She won over the director of education.
It wasn’t easy to build the institution as stones had to be carried up the hill by coolies. She would often boost the morale of the workers. The building was erected under her careful supervision and was named after St Bede, who is also known as the father of English history. She handpicked the best faculty and caretakers for the institute, choosing Mother Gregory to be the principal and Sister Felicity from France, whose cooking skills were legendary.
THE TIME IT ALMOST CLOSED
In 1967, the nuns decided to shut down St Bede’s College and open Jesus and Mary College in Delhi. The news created a great furore. Eventually, the then chief minister YS Parmar and several other local dignitaries sent an appeal to Bishop Alfred Fernandes for the continuation of the college in Shimla. The appeal bore fruit and St Bede’s continued to cement its legacy as a premier institution of the country.
AUGUST ALUMNI
For 114 years, countless girls have entered the college’s portals and left as young ladies ready to face the world headlong. Today, St Bede’s College needs no introduction, as its students have carved a niche for themselves, both at home and abroad in diverse fields.
The college’s alumnae include Preneet Kaur, wife of Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh and former minister of state for external affairs; former US ambassador Meera Shankar; Pratibha Singh, former Mandi MP and wife of former Himachal CM Virbhadra Singh; journalist Tavleen Singh; US-based filmmaker Ish Amitoj Kaur, actors Kalpana Kartik, who married Dev Anand, Priya Rajvansh, and Preity Zinta; model Persis Khambatta; IAS officers Harinder Hira and Purnima Chauhan; and Inspector General Satwant Atwal of paramilitary forces.
Preneet Kaur, who graduated from the college in 1964, says: “I spent three wonderful years at the college. I did my teacher training along with my second year of graduation. There were around 80 students in the college at that time, of which only a couple were day scholars. I have very fond memories living in the corner room in the old building. I shared the room with three girls.”
“It was like being at home almost. We were allowed to go up to the town every Saturday. We used to walk up to the Mall and catch a movie. I remember Mr Xavier; he’d walk up to the mall and collect all girls and bring them back to college,” she laughs.“If we got wet in the rain, we would march into the kitchen; where it was warm and we’d be given hot chocolate to drink.”
NURTURED BY THE NUNS
Neelam Bali, who retired from the college as a psychology lecturer and was also an alumna of the ’77 batch, says: “St Bede’s was a glorious place to be in. At that time, Sister Agatha, an Irish nun, was our principal. The college helped girls develop a personality. The focus was both on academics and extracurricular activities.”
“People wrongly believe it to be a polishing school of sorts,” she says. “Eating with correct table manners, speaking and standing properly were an integrated part of our grooming, but not its focal point. Above all, all Bedians have the quality of being gracious.”
Anuja Sharma, head of English department, says: “The nuns were very compassionate. Students still remember how former principal Sister Melba would counsel the girls. She boosted their confidence.”
Head of the political science department Madhu Parmar says: “I still remember how Sister Wilfred took me under her wing on my first day of college. She refused to charge money for my lunch and ensured that I felt at home.”
Home science department associate professor Anjali Diwan, who joined in 1986, says: “Teachers were allowed to stay in the boarding for a year when I joined. The nuns were very gracious. When I was going through some personal issues, I was told not to hesitate to call even past midnight if I needed anything. St Bede’s has given me an identity. When I go for seminars, once I tell people I am from St Bede’s, no further introduction
is required.”
DUTT AND GOVINDA’S ESCAPE
The college’s beauty has drawn many a cinematographer to St Bede’s College. Movies, including ‘Black’, ‘Tamasha’, ‘Raju Chacha’, ‘Sssshhh…’, and ‘Daag’ — starring Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore — have been shot on the campus.
“In one memorable incident, Govinda and Sanjay Dutt who were shooting at Wildflower Hall decided to visit Chelsea (girls’ school adjoining the college) in the 80s. Dutt’s cousins were studying there at the time. When they passed the St Bede’s hostel, initially the girls did not react as they could hardly believe that two superstars had just strolled into the campus,” recounts retired head of the geography department Neelkamal Bedi, who joined the college in 1982. “However, by the time they returned from the visit, the girls had gathered their wits about them and rushed to take autographs. Both stars initially obliged but seeing the number of fans steadily increasing, the terrified duo made a run towards the gate and leaped over it to escape the horde of girls.”
Bollywood actor Preity Zinta graduated from the college. “She was a very lively girl. She wasn’t in my class, but some of her friends were. Often, I’d catch her peeping into the classroom waiting for the students to be let off,” says Bedi.
“I remember when she revisited the school, she warmly greeted everyone, including the peons, and laughed about how they wouldn’t let her escape from the college before time,” says Diwan.
“Preity was an excellent basketball player. She represented our college in a lot of matches,” recounts Sharma.