THE CRY OF THE CHILDREN by Prof. B. Dutta Roy (our beloved 'Dadu')

St. Edmund’s College, Shillong (1923-1998)

The Edmundian 1999

The educational scenario in North East India, particularly for the European, and Anglo Indian children in the nineteenth century was not promising. When Assam was constituted into a Chief Commissionership in 1874, the first Chief Commissioner Col. R. H. Keatinge, conducted a survey to find out the number of European and Eurasian Children who were likely to be in Assam in 1880. He concluded that probably such number would be 600 in 1880, composed of children of European tea planters and Government employees. For the illegitimate children whom their European parents would not recognise, asylums were found in orphanages in Calcutta and elsewhere.

The Laissez faire policy which was the guiding principle of British capitalism and of the administration did not take initiative in late nineteenth century to establish in Assam, schools for European and Angle Indian children. The Government did not find any reason to initiate any move for setting up of even an elementary school for their own children. The rich European tea planters, rich traders and high British officers used to send their children to England or to Calcutta in selected schools. The children of poor domiciled Europeans and Anglo Indians, such as Railway Traffic Inspectors, Station Masters, Telegraph Masters were the worst sufferers. 

In 1866, a second grade College, then called High School was opened at Guwahati but because of its poor performance this school was closed down by Col. Keatinge in 1876. In compliance with the directive of Government of India a Day School for the poor European and Anglo Indian Children was opened at Guwahati in 1881. It was dosed down in 1886. In pursuance of the same policy to provide elementary education to poor children of European descent, a girls' boarding and Day School was opened in 1881 and was closed down in 1887. The Government then decided to give grant to a Private school and allowed it to use European Government Girls' school building and meeting its deficit as well. The site was present day Pine Mount.

This educational arrangement in Shillong was suitable to rich and middle class Europeans and Angle. Indians only, as it did not meet the needs of the poor classes of Europeans and Eurasians who were not less than 2,500 in Assam on the event of the great earthquake of 1897.

By the end of nineteenth century, no people in Assam were so much in need of educational help and guidance as the poor European and Anglo Indian children. It was curious that no religious mission had tried the improvement of educational and moral standard of this group of children crying for help. In 1896 there was no European school for boys in Assam. 

The private schools in Shillong were intended for the middle class and did not meet the requirements of the poorer classes of European and Anglo Indian children. Shillong Government School for European and Eurasian children was opened on 6 Augnst,1900 as a primary school and the poorer sections of the people, particularly from towns like Dibrugarh where there were large concentrations of Anglo Indians and poor European children, had virtually no access. The attendance of the school was very small.

The Salvatorians came to Shillong in 1890 but their stay was brief. With declaration of World Win I by the British against Germany all German priests and nuns were arrested and sent to Ahmednagar Fort in 1915. But the three saplings the German planted in Shillong had strong roots. They grew tall and spread branches. The Loreto Convent, St. Mary's College and St. Edmund's College are the fruits of their toil.

Dr. Edmund Christopher Becker, the last of the Salvatorians came to Shillong as Apostolic Prefect in March, 1906. This German was a man of immense courage and vision. In 1908, he invited the Loreto Sisters of Calcutta offering them buildings and financial support. The Loreto Convent was opened in 1909 at Lumtyngkong, at a site then known as Hopkinson's Wood, where now stands the Catholic-Cathedral, Loreto Convent and Don Bosco Complex. Mother Maclitilda, an Irish nun was the, first Superior of the Loreto, Shillong.

After much persuasion Rev. Brother J. C. Whitty, the Superior General of the Congregation of Irish Christian Brothers agreed to send out four Brothers in 1915 to Shillong to open and run an institution for poor European and Eurasian boys of North East India areas. The Salvatorians Sisters opened a new house in 1910 in St. Mary's Hill. It blossomed into a girls school and a College in later years when the Sisters of Norte Dame Des Mission arrived in Shillong in 1915 to replace the Sisters of German Salvatorian order.

Shillong in 1913 was a small place, an extended village, with a population of 7967. The Government agreed to provide all support to the new educational effort of Fr. Christopher Becker in inviting the Irish Christian Brothers, a teaching order of Roman Catholic to staff and to manage the new institution. It was agreed earlier that the new venture should be called St. Edmund's College for two reasons: one was that St. Edmund was Patron Saint of Dr. Becker, the Apostolic Prefect and the second was that this good Saint was also the first Patron Saint of Edmund Rice, the Founder of the Congregation of Irish Christian Brothers. 

Rev, Brother Fabian Kenneally, - the Provincial Superior and Bro. M.S. O'Brien along with the Apostolic Prefect Dr. Edmund Christopher Becker met the Chief Commissioner of Assam. Sir Archdale Earle, granted this new educational venture 24 acres in Block No. Xll site, Pat Lovett, editor of the Capital - a leading Commercial journal of Calcutta and the tea lobby, mostly Protestants, worked behind the scene for this venture.

With the declaration of World War I everything changed overnight and the Germans became most vulnerable and were declared as Prisoners of war and would have been in prison but for Sir Archdale Earle, the Chief Commissioner of Assam, all ardent protestant who was a great admirer of Father Becker and his work. Sir Archdale advised Dr. Becker to ask the Congregation of the Irish Christian Brothers to take over the responsibility of the construction of the new European school offering temporarily some resources as Fr. Becker's fund got immobilised in the German Asiatic Bank. 

In November, 1914, Brother Michael Stanislus O'Brien who was the Principal of Goethals Memorial School, Kurseong was sent by the Congregation to take charge of the construction of St. Edmund's College building. Sir Archdale knew him earlier. Gradually in a vast expanse of pine trees, St. Edmund's College was taking a shape.

Brother Michael Stanislus O'Brien (1860 - 1940) came to Calcutta in December 1890. He was the very essence of activities and educational zeal. He rebuilt St. Joseph's College, Calcutta and got a free hand to build Goethals Memorial School, Kurseong, near Darjeeling. He was the planner and architect to build, St. Edmund's College the old school building a great palatial glass house built of light materials due to prevalence of frequent earthquake in Shillong Zone. He had particular care and concern for the poor, Eurasians and lower Europeans.

The night before Dr. Becker left Shillong in July, 1915, he came across to the building site accompanied by Fr. P. Lefebvre (who was sent to Shillong by the Archbishop of Calcutta as administrator of the Prefecture of Assam) and by Bro. M.S. O'Brien. He kissed the ground and blessed the unfinished building of St. Edmund’s College. This brave German never came back to Shillong to see the plant growing. A vast building with boarding facilities and a magnificent auditorium took Shape. With the passage of time, the old school structure had to be replaced but there still remains today the original beautiful auditorium renovated by Bro. J.C. Roe in early 50s.

The history of St. Edmund's School and College is an integrated and interwoven account of the brave and restless effort of the Germans and of the Irish. St. Edmund's College was founded as a Higher Secondary School and was recognised by the Cambridge University for examination upto Higher School Certificate level. The Provincial Bro. John Gilbert Cooney along with his consultor, Bro. P. Hyde visited the work site in 1915. Soon thereafter, Brother Luke Aherne arrived as the first Director of St. Edmund's College in 1915. Bro. M.S. O'Brien became Sub-director. The institution was opened on 1st March, 1916, with 32 boarders and 8 day scholars.

The object of St. Edmund's College has always been to offer a sound, secular and moral education for all and as far as Catholics are concerned to provide a religious education (Provisional Prospectus as sent to Sir Archdale Earle on 30th June, 1913). The key to the whole character of the College is to produce tolerant, human and magnanimous people.

St. Edmund's College was officially opened on 6th October, 1916, by the Chief Commissioner of Assam, Sir Archdale Earle, an educationist. His policy was to make Assam as far as possible educationally self contained. The institution grew rapidly and by 1918 it had 89 boarders and 23 day scholars. A hospital was built in 1918 where now stands the Scholasticate. Bro. Michael Stanislus O'Brien, who toiled hare to give St. Edmund's a shape, was appointed on Ist December, 1918, the Director Principal of St. Edmund's College for a period of three years.

With the coming of Montague Chelmsford Reforms in the form of Government of India Act, 1919 - wind of change began to blow every sphere in every sphere of society in the country. A social change, very slow and weak was evident. In 1919, there were 100 boarders and 16 day scholars. Of the day scholars,  there were then some Indian boys including two Khasi boys - one of them, the Syiem of Khyrim and the other, son of an old Syiem. 

There was one Muslim, the son of Abdul Majid, C.I.E. and two were Hindus of Brahmo Samaj faith, one of them was a big Zamindar in his own right. Earlier in the Cambridge Local Examinations boys were sent for Preliminary, Junior and for Senior courses. In July, 1919, 8 boys were sent for the first time, for Higher Cambridge Local Certificate Examinations, 3 passed. It was a remarkable achievement. Only 3 schools in India had boys amongst the successful candidates (equivalent to Higher Secondary examination). This is the turning point of the history of St. Edmund's College.

With a view to a degree course later on, under changed circumstances, with the coming of Government of India Act, 1919, the need was felt to apply to Calcutta University for affiliation for I.A. and I.Sc. courses in 1923, which was granted. The project was supported by the Provincial superior, Bro. Thomas Baptist Moloney. He planned for a new chapel for which St. Edmunds College may be proud even today. 

It is the first ferroconcrete structure in Shillong, designed by Col. John Taylor, the Chief Engineer, Assam, an Irishman, and executed by Martin & Co . Calcutta. Bro. J.E. McCann was the first Principal of the Collegiate section under Calcutta University. Bro. McCann taught Latin in I.A. classes. He was 33 years at that time and remained Principal from 1923 to 1928. He was a born leader but with a radical difference. He served and also gave a lead in service. He devoted his energy and zeal to the advancement of his young people.

In May, 1932, Sir Hussan Suhrawardy, Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University along with the Education Minister of Assam and the Director of Public Instruction visited St. Edmund's College. He was so satisfied with the College academic programme of a of high standard that he soon granted the examination centre to the College, making its Principal, the Officer-in-Charge of the Centre. University Examinations used to be held at the House of Our Lady. 

At the time there was no other College in Shillong for higher secondary and undergraduate courses. Every boy sent for I.A. and I.Sc., examination since 1924, for several years passed in first division. Earlier the candidates had to go to Calcutta to sit for University I.A. and I.Sc. examinations. In 1932 there were 3 Khasi boys in I.Sc. classes 2 in second year and 1 in first year. The Viceroy, Lord Willingdon visited Shillong in September, 1933. He paid a visit to St. Edmund's College.

Brother John Baptist Culhane (1874 - 1958) came to India in 1892, a self effacing person. After the usual round of duties in Calcutta and mostly at St. Josephs College, Nainital, Bro. Culhane was appointed in August, 1927 Provincial Superior and continued to remain so for next crucial 16 years  till 1943 when he sent to St. Edmund's College, Shillong to stay there for the rest of his life. For some time he served there as its Vice Principal. The democratic principle, of ruling and being ruled, prevailed in the Congregation of Irish Christian Brothers.

Bro. Baptist Culhane was a keen student all his life and spread around him an atmosphere of cheerfulness. He was intolerant of sluggishness. He was too great hearted to say anything unkind. The provincial believed that no one must ever cease to acquire knowledge and he put his belief into practice. He was a well read person and was a hard worker.

In St. Joseph College, Nainital he taught in the Special Department where the students who passed High School examinations were prepared for I.A. & I.Sc., examinations of Calcutta University as well as for other professional examinations. The Congregation of Irish Christian Brothers had their internal examinations system by grades. As Provincial, Bro. Culhane could see the change in social, economic and political atmosphere since the introduction of the Government of India Act, 1919. 

He felt that time was not far off that the Provincial governments under dyarchy, which would demand higher diplomas and University degrees. He decided to take the challenges and be ready. With a view to preparing students including young Brothers for public: examinations of Calcutta University, he opened St. Enda's Arranmore, in Nainital as a House of Studies. His interest was wide spread and his enthusiasm was unbounded.

In 1934-35, Bro. J.C. Roe conceived the idea of opening up University classes upto B.A., and B.T., standards. He was supported by Bro. Culhane. Brother Culhane had his breath of vision and pioneered in laying the foundations of higher studies in Shillong.

In 1934, Bro. J.N. Alien, the fourth Assistant to the Superior General at Dublin made a visitation of St. Edmund's College, Shillong. Bro. Allen promised to get the Superior General interested in the project. A site was chosen east of old College Hospital by a joint inspection of Bro. Allen, Bro. Culhane and Bro. Roe. It was certainly a big venture, but if was one that was badly needed and was bound to grow. Bro. Roe was successful in his part of the work.

Till 1935, St. Edmund's remained affiliated upto I.A., & I.Sc., standards with Calcutta University. The College applied for extension of affiliation to the B.A. Honours standards in English, Latin, Mathematics, Economics, History and Chemistry, with Alternative English, Assamese and Bengali as vernaculars and for the B.T, standard with effect from 1936-37 session. A plan was prepared to provide 18 rooms in a new building. The university inspection team composed of Dr. Harendra Coomar Mukherjee who became in free India, the Vice Chairman of Constituent Assembly, Government of West Bengal and Mr. S.C. Roy, D.P.I. of Assam, recommended affiliation upto B.A., Honours standard and B.T., standard. 

The Senate of Calcutta University sanctioned the affiliation on 14th September, 1935. This was the first time when a non-Government College in Assam got affiliation upto B.A. and B.T. standard. The Superior and principal of St. Edmund's College was invited to attend the Senate meeting to plead for affiliation, an unusual gesture in recognition of the very fine work which St. Edmund's College had already done, and a unique honour to Bro. Roe. The College would h a v o also got the B.Sc., affiliation, had the College been prepared to receive it. The laboratory equipment were also too expensive for the College at that moment. This created much problem in lat or year for opening the B.Sc., course.

St. Edmund’s College authorities started the building at once, the ground having been prepared. Mr. Bell retired from P.W.D., gave great assistance and secured a good contractor in Mr. Wajid Ali. The main University Department building got ready before Ist July 1936, the official date for the opening of the new College building by Sir Michael Keane, the Governor of Assam who an Irish man, a Catholic and a brilliant classical scholar. The University ex tension was indeed a monument to Bro. Cyprian Roe. During his six years as Principal, this College made remarkable progress. St. Mary's College Halifax was then so far the only institution of the Irish Christian Brothers allowing its students to graduate under the direction of the Brothers.

In Calcutta there was David Hare Training College, the only institution in east India for Bachelor of Teaching degree. The intake of students there from North East India areas was extremely restricted. Another Teacher Training College was opened under Dacca University Dhaka in 1905, functioning initially from Armeniatola Government High School, Dhaka for the B.T., course for Assam and East Bengal. The graduate students from North East Areas had to go to Dacca University for B.T., degree. 

It was expensive and not so easy. The Government of Assam requested St. Edmund's College to take over 19 young graduate teachers to B.T., classes promising to bear all the expenses for them and for their running the course. The first group of these teacher-students, 40 in number, including 19 deputed candidates began B.T. study in St. Edmund's College on 2nd July, 1936. The full enrolment in July, 1936, was I.A., & I.Sc., 18: B.A., 11 and B.T., 40. The B.T. classes became very popular. It came to 96 in 1942. When Japanese invasion came to the door of Assam, the number fell down.

Brother J. Ignatius O'Leary was put in charge of the newly opened University Department. Bro. Alphonus O'Shea was also in the College assisted by Indian Lecturers, such as Prof. Nalini K. Mishra, Dr. S.C. Deb Majumder, Prof. K.N. Dutta, Prof. Kulada C. Choudhury, Prof. B.C. Roy, Prof. S.R. Bhattacharjee, Prof. N. Ganguli, Prof. S.C. Guha and Prof. C. Deb Ray, who joined the College in 1947-48.

Among the first group of students were Bro. Benignus Maher, Bro. P. Columba Hart, Bro. Gregory Ribeiro and Bro. James O'Keeffe. Brother M.B. Maher and Bro. P.C. Hart eventually became provincial Superiors in later years. In recent years Bro. J.P. Pinto and Bro. S.G. Alvarez both alumni of St. Edmund's College became the Provincial Superior and Provincial Leader respectively. In years that followed, students came to St. Edmund's College from all parts of North East India, Calcutta and from other parts of North India including Peshawar.

Sir Michael Keane, Governor of Assam, was present in formal opening of the new University Department on 6th October, 1936, Rev. Brother J.B. Culhane Provincial Superior of the Irish Christian Brothers in India, Principal Rev. Bro. J.C. Roe and the Head Master of the College Department Rev. Bro. J.I. O'Leary welcomed everyone. On 6th October, 1916, Sir Archdale Earle, the Chief Commissioner of Assam officially opened St. Edmund's College. The College extension, the University Department was made on the twentieth anniversary of the first opening of St. Edmund's College. The total cost of this extension came to about Rs.78,000/-.

The B.T., classes became very popular the Government of Assam sent its teachers in batches of 25, year by year and in 1941, the number came to 78. But number of students in B.A, class remained static at around 10 students in each class because of high fees that had to be because of the opposition for such an under graduate class from extra academic authorities in. Shillong. As a result B.A, classes remained open only for prosperous section of Indians and Anglo Indians.

On 7th December, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbour and bombed Rangoon. This was equivalent to a declaration of war on USA and U.K. These events affected St. Edmund's College very closely. Japanese troops advanced towards Rangoon on one hand and to Singapore on the other. First Singapore and then Rangoon fell early in 1942.

In April 1942, invasion of Assam seemed imminent. Parents began to withdraw students from Shillong since May, only day boys remained in the school but the College Hostels both for the Europeans and for B.T., students kept on functioning. Practically all B.T., students of the 1941-42 classes other than from Bengal and Assam having finished their course at St. Edmund's College left for their home Universities and were admitted for the B.T., examination and most of them were successful. The number of students of all sections in College Department fell from 165 in 1941 to 105 in April, 1942. It was clear that very few students from outside Assam would venture in the existing circumstances to study in Shillong till the danger of the invasion of Assam had far receded. The salaries of the College was reduced by about 30 percent to Rs.120/-. from Rs.170/-. It was a real period of hardship with rising price.

In December, 1942, the military authorities sought the occupation of entire St. Edmund's College. Ultimately they occupied the whole St. Edmund's premises excluding University Department. Brothers got shelter in the school Hospital in March, 1943. In 1943, only 20 candidates appeared for B.T., Examination, 15 of them passed. In B.A., 9 appeared 2 got Honours and five in pass course, in I.A., examination 6 appeared, all of them passed and in B.Sc., examination 23 appeared and only 15 passed. In Cambridge School Certificate 1942 Examination, only one candidate appeared and he passed. It was a bleak year for both the St. Edmund's School and College sections. A little over 100 day scholars were on the roll; the school boarding was closed down.

The war-hero was Brother Jeremiah Ignatius O'Leary (1890-1965). He came to India in November, 1935. He was given the task of reorganising, developing and expanding the University Department of St. Edmund’s College. Bro. Ignatius lost no time ill appointing a well qualified staff and started classes for B.A., and B.T., course of Calcutta University. In India, intellectual distinction, academic attainments and high spiritual life are highly appreciated and responded by society. Bro. O'Leary was a highly sought after person everywhere by students, teachers and successive Governors. He sympathised with India political aspiration. 

It was a time when the country was struggling for independence and political consciousness was high. When the Great Freedom Fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose visited Shillong in 1938, Bro. O'Leary invited him to College and in the meeting he spoke of the cordial relations between Ireland and India and expressed sympathy for India's freedom fighters and hoped India would soon emerge as a free nation. There was an apprehension that the British government would react unfavourably in Bro. O'Leary's welcoming Netaji Bose. But later on the Governor of Assam, Sir Robert Reid, told Bro. O'Leary that he-was right in inviting Subhas Chandra Bose to the College.

Bro. O’Leary loved his country, Ireland and its history of struggle and of the Irish patriots. He was the head of the University Department as its Head Master initially. In 1938, the Education Minister of Assam, Munawar Ali requested the College to open M.A., classes in English offering in help and support. But Bro. O'Leary declined the offer as they wanted consolidation of the ground already covered. The Premier of Assam, Gopinath Bordoloi presided over a debate in B.T., Hall in September, 1939. Robini K. Choudhuri, the new Education Minister, Assam presided over another debate organised by Bro. O'Leary. In March, 1939, Bro. O'Leary was appointed as Principal of University Department.

On 14th December, 1945, Fr. Moram, Rector, St. Xavier's Patna, an American Jesuit, was travelling to Shillong with Jawaharlal Nehru who was coming to Shillong to address a meeting. At Shillong, students and Professors’ Reception Committee wanted Bro. J.I. O'Leary to be the Chairman of the Reception Committee, but the deeply religious and self-effacing Bro. O'Leary declined the offer on the ground that he was on Retreat but agreed to meet Nehru for few minutes at the College gate. He did so. 

Nehru was accompanied by Gopinath Bordoloi, the Chief Minister of Assam. Bro. O'Leary came to Shillong in 1935 and went to Ireland for 11 holiday in 1949, having been in India for 14 years continuously and returned to Shillong as Principal in December, 1949 and finally left for home in 1952. He was exact in everything that he did, sincere and humble. Life to him was a serious business. His fidelity to rule and the way of life of the Congregation was unchanged to the last. Regularity and punctuality were the keynote of his character.

Library is an integral part of any College. From the very beginning Bro. O’Leary tried to build up a good library. He invited N.S.M. Rao, Librarian of Government College, Ajmer, where B.T., was also taught, to organise the new library and to catalogue the College library books. The library was opened in July, 1937. The Government of Assam granted Rs. 1000/- for organising the Library. Raj Kumar Bhattacharjee was appointed the Librarian. He got involved in the freedom movement of 1942 and was arrested along with Bimal Sen Gupta of the St. Edmund's School Department. 

On his arrest Joseph Narain was appointed Librarian for a short while. On his departure one of the leading artists and painters of modern India, Hemanta Misra, a young person at the time, took charge of the College library. After independence Arun Singh Sen was appointed Librarian and continued till his retirement in mid 1980s. Bro. O'Leary, the quiet sympathiser of Indian freedom struggle appointed R.K. Bhattacharjee as Head Clerk after his release from jail in the office till he retired in 80's.

St. Edmunds College   University Department had from the beginning a small Hostel for ten European and Anglo Indian students in the North Wing of the newly constructed College building. At the foot hill of the College, a new building was constructed by the Eastern Bengal and Assam Commercial Syndicate to accommodate Government deputed B.T., students. Prof. Kulada P. Choudhury, Prof. A.C. Roy and Prof. K.N. Dutta were resident Superintendents for the post graduate B.T., students at B.T., Hostel during their respective tenures from 1937 to 1950. With the World War II, the number of B.T., students decreased from outside Shillong, but the Government of Assam year after year continued to send on deputation around 20 students for B.T., courses till 1949-50. In 1950 no B.T., examination could be held because of the great earthquake and the subsequent dislocation. 

In 1951, the last year of B.T., course of St. Edmund's College, there were only 4 B.T., candidates from St. Edmund's College. The Assam Government since 1950 sent B.T., teacher-students on deputation to the newly established Gauhati University and the grant-in-aid to St. Edmund's College for B.T., course was withdrawn. With the closure of B.T., section, B.T. Hostel was converted into an undergraduate hostel by Rev, Bro. J.I. O'Leary who put a freedom fighter there as its Superintendent.

With 'the coming into operational of the Constitution of India and the first general election in 1952 new social forces were released, the gates of Higher educational institutions were opened for all, on equal footing. 

There was student explosion everywhere and there was high demand for College seats and hostel accommodation. Prior to Independence because of intense opposition and pressure, the gates for Indian students in St. Edmund's College remained virtually closed as student fees was very high to be managed by them. The new Principal, Rev. Bro. E.X. Leonard since early 1952 responded, enthusiastically to the new spirit of Indian Independence and there was expansion, consolidation and hope everywhere in the College. He was a man of immense courage with a wide vision.

Since 1939, there had been demand for opening another College hostel in the College premises; hut because of the situation it could not be had. In 1953 the Cleve House, above Fruit Garden, was taken on rent for five years. It was made a St. Edmund's College Students' Hostel known as Cleve Hostel with Prof. N. Ganguly as its Superintendent and a new Hostel was opened at Malki Hills with Prof. G.P. Gupta in a rented house for a year. At the expiry of the lease of five years, the Cleve hostel was closed down and on 31st August, 1958, the boarders with their Superintendent moved to the newly constructed Hostel in the College premises, now known as New Hostel. The hostel at Malki Hill was closed earlier on account of operational difficulties.

Earlier, the then Chemistry Laboratory since 1945 at the present day K.G. class of St. Edmund's School and the College Hostel since 1936, at the North Wing of the College building interchanged their location in 1949. The new Chemistry Laboratory in the North Wing of the old College building at that time, was being prepared for I.Sc., and B.Sc., classes. The Physics and Botany Laboratories were functioning from the building constructed during war years near the northern side of Brothers' residence. The Biology Laboratory was functioning from the war time Army Operation Theatre, a huge stone structure, near the ARP tank and overhead water tank.

There was a grim struggle for the orienting of B.Sc., courses at St. Edmund's College. It could get affiliation for B.Sc., in 1935-36 but the laboratories for B.Sc., could not be set up due to lack of resources at that time. Need was felt for opening of B.Sc., classes in 1938 in the meeting of the College Governing Body itself. After Independence, the DPI, Assam in 1953 asked St. Edmund's College, and also the guardians to open B.Sc., classes in the College. Again the Government wrote to the College for it in 1955. But due to strong opposition, from extra academic authorities it was not possible. At last in August, 1959, St. Edmund's College could open B.Sc., with Physics Honours, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Of the 3 Physics Honours students one, Prabal Purkayastha is now in the States. 

One Bro. R.C. Donelly now in Australia and another, an Irish man is at present in India. The Bishop of Shillong welcomed the opening of the B.Sc., classes in St. Edmund's College and blessed the opening of the new College Administrative Block and a new Common Room in June 1959. initiated by the new Principal of the College, Bro. J.N. Foley. It marked the end of period of controversy and the beginning of the era of harmonious development of Scientific study in Shillong for a better tomorrow of young citizens. The foundation of a new Science Block was laid in 1960 which accommodate Physics and Life Sciences laboratories. The College Library was also shifted from the old building to the ground floor of the Science Block and it got shifted again to old Life Science Block in 1992-93 by the then Principal Bro. A.F. Pinto.

Brother Foley was an outstanding personality with a vision. He was a great planner and an architect. He laid the foundation of Science Block, opening the B.Sc., course, after overcoming all non-academic hurdles and interests. The present day administrative block was designed and made by him so also the New Hostel opened in 1958. He was a great administrator and an able Bursar to the Provincial Superior at New Delhi, and also a leading member of Provincial's Council. He left his mark in the campus of St. Columba’s New Delhi while he was its Principal for six years. Above all he was a great humanist and like all Irish Christian Brothers, an able teacher. His untimely demise in Ireland on 11th June, 1991 was a great loss to everyone who knew him.

Rev. Bro. R.B. Vieyra took over as Principal in 1963 and Rev. Bro. M.G. Shannon succeeded him in early 1978. They consolidated and improved the initiative taken since the days of Rev. Bro. E.X. Leonard. Bro. Vieyra gave to the NCC a commodious building and enough space for expansion. The last of the giants and a tall Irishman, Rev. Bro. M.G. Shannon consolidated further the gains. During the time of Bro. Leonard limited number of girls students from St. Mary's College attended only Economics Honours classes. 

Bro. Foley allowed admission of girls in Science faculties and a few women lecturers were appointed in different Departments all an experimental basis. Bro. Vieyra allowed, for six years private M.A., classes by the Faculty of Post Graduate studies in Political Science. In 1972, St. Edmund's College got affiliation to North Eastern Hill University. Bro. Shannon nursed for more than five years a College for women which is now one of the leading Colleges in Shillong till it shifted to its own premises in early 1990. This chapter closes in May, 1988 on the retirement of Bro. Shannon.

St. Edmund's College always maintained and fostered a healthy atmosphere of academic and social discipline and sound education. It is the crying need of the day to teach the young not only more academic knowledge and feed them with more information but also how to make them efficient and good citizens in the service of the people. The seed that was sown by these children of Edmund Rice in poverty stricken areas in Ireland for the under privileged has grown into a fine sapling of promise with strong roots. The successive foresters, mature in their experience and committed to the people who live in poverty and obscurity, have nursed it with much care and dedication. The cry of the poor will guide the College to the fulfilment of the vow of Edmund Rice.

Blessed Edmund Rice (1762-1844) was a prosperous businessman of Ireland. He experienced the tragedy of human life. Poverty all around, he heard the cries of the children here and there in the slums and in the backyard of societies which moved him to give up comforts of life and embarked on a journey to reach the poor crying for education everywhere. The need was great in Ireland where Edmund Rice began his work in a stable but he sent his children, the Congregation of Irish Christian Brothers to Africa, Gibraltar, to Australia, to the States, to India and almost to everywhere of the former British possessions where exploitation was greatest. 

Two Brothers from the Congregation arrived in Calcutta in 1848 carrying with them the 1832 Rule Book of the Congregation and the methods and skills of teaching of Irish Christian Brothers. The formal presence of the organisation began in l890. It observed its centenary in 1990 in India, after- spreading its branches in all poverty stricken areas in the country.

All over the world new spirit of national liberty and equality spread after the end of World War Il. The new spirit led the General Chapter of the Irish Christian Brothers which met at Melbourne in December, 1968 to adopt a new Charter in 1969. It made the Irish Christian Brothers in India to strive ahead with the spirit of Edmund Rice. The structure adjusted itself to the new national spirit with a global outlook keeping its roots firmly attached to the world wide body of the Brothers and its spirit. 

The 140 brave Irishmen who came to India over the century worked, died and some of them alive today, have been toiling and responding to the cries of the poor children. The last two of the Irish Christian Brothers came to India in 1966, one of them working in Delhi and the other in a village of North East. Because of the policy of the Government, the country and also because the Province of India becoming self contained to a great extent, the arrival of the fresh Irish Brothers ceased completely to staff the institutions run by the children of Edmund Rice. Brothers from India are now spreading to Africa to carry the work of the Blessed Edmund Rice.

[Prof. B. Datta Ray, joined St. Edmund's College as a lecturer on 9th October, 1950 and retired on 31st August, 1985. At the time of the writing of this article he was the Superintendent of the B.T. Hostel]