Sheltering students since 1840

The missionaries from Basel who landed in the coast of Mangalore way back in 1834 brought about sea change in the region in the field of education, literature, industries, medicine etc.

It was solely their service which made them carve a place for themselves in the hearts of the people and later on in the history of the region.

In 1840, the Basel mission planted a small seed of imparting Theosophical knowledge to the students. It was started along with a small hostel for the students, which later grew and was known as seminary hostel and KTC Hostel. Later in 1972, it came to be known as KACES Hostel.

Even today, Kaces hostel continues to render its service. This year, Kaces hostel celebrates its 40th year of service and the write up intends to give an insight into the hostel.

In 1840, the missionaries started a school/ hostel for boys at Neereshwalya (the present State Bank area). This hostel was shifted to Balmatta in 1843 and was functional in present YMCA premises. In 1847, the theological school came to be known as Basel Evangelical Theological Seminary, taking up training in missionary activities. Apart from Theological training, the centre imparted teachers training too, providing hostel facilities to the learners.

In 1863, the seminary was shifted to Balmatta premises. Here an ‘E’ shaped building was constructed for the seminary along with all necessary facilities like the kitchen, dining room, warden’s residence, workers’ room etc. In 1884, seminary building was expanded and given more space where library and more rooms were added. YMCA and UBMC were shifted into the Seminary building in 1926.

Hebich Technical Training Centre was started in 1964 and then it was imperative for the organisation to provide residential facility to the students joining the course from far away places. The students of Technical Training too were accommodated along with seminary students.

‘Vanita Nilaya,’ the women’s residential centre was started by the missionaries and this accommodated women KTC students from 1968 to 1972. Kaces, which was started in 1969 was taken on the path of progress by Secretary Rev Dr C D Jathanna, under whose leadership the institution and the organisation reached greater heights.

The decade of 1970-80 is the golden era in the history of Kaces because various branches of education were started, giving a whole new identity to Kaces.

On July 6, 1971, Dr C D Jathanna laid the foundation for the new hostel buildings. With funds from Brot Fur Bruder, Switzerland, the Engineers made the design of the hostel.

The design was complete without any short coming. The stairs for the building was given on either sides of the main entrance. Toilets and bathrooms were provided on each floor. Separate rooms with toilets were provided for ailing students. One guest room, reading room, dining hall, store room, kitchen and every important infrastructure was taken care.

The complex named ‘Basel Hostel’ was inaugurated on 22-11-1972 by Basel Mission President Dr J Rossel. This complex then had over 30 Theosophical students and 113 students studying various streams, haling from various religions and castes living together in harmony with one another. Since then, the hostel has come a long way. At present, Kaces Secretary Rev Dr Hanibal Cabral is making all attempts to take Kaces to all new heights.

At present, the hostel has 68 double, 35 single and one guest rooms. Television room, shuttle court, TT court, Gymnasium, reading room and various other facilities are available in the hostel complex.

Marking 40th year of Kaces Hostel, the management has decided to bring in some development works in the hostel like laying tiles in the toilets and bathrooms, renovation of dining hall, inter-hostel and inter-college sports and cultural competitions.

On February 5, ‘Hostel Day’ will be celebrated with all pomp.

Benet G Ammanna  Archives Department, KTC    (Translated by BVH)