St. Bede’s College, Shimla

St. Bede’s College is a premier institution dedicated to the education and empowerment of women in India. Located in Shimla, the college has played a significant role in women’s education for more than a century.

Early Origins

The roots of the college can be traced back to 1842, when several convents of the Religious of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary were established in North India to educate the children of Catholic British soldiers.

In 1902, Mother St. Clare visited India and realized that the best way to contribute to the country’s development was by establishing a Catholic Training College for Teachers. After receiving the necessary permissions from the Governor of Punjab and the Inspector of Education, and approval from the Mother General, Shimla—then the summer capital of India—was chosen as the site for the institution.

Establishment of the College

Construction of the college building began soon after and was completed in 1903. Mother St. Clare returned to India with three sisters from England to begin the Teachers’ Training Course. The first Principal of the institution was Mother St. Gregory.

The college formally opened on 4 March 1904 with 15 students. Until 1947, it functioned mainly as a Teachers’ Training College, preparing women educators who contributed to the development of education in India.

Expansion and Academic Growth

After India’s independence, the college expanded its academic programs. In 1948, it introduced Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree courses.

With the establishment of Himachal Pradesh University in 1970, St. Bede’s College became affiliated with the university.

Over the years, the college has continued to expand by introducing new courses while retaining its Teachers’ Training Program, which remains an important part of its academic offerings.

Campus and Facilities

Today, St. Bede’s College has a sprawling campus with six buildings and serves more than 1,500 students, including about 200 residential students from different parts of India and abroad.

The college library, which began with just 200 books, has grown significantly and now holds over 2,000 titles and has been computerized, providing modern resources for students and researchers.

Motto and Contribution

The college’s motto is “Non Nobis Solum”, which means “Not for ourselves alone.” Guided by this ideal, St. Bede’s College has made an important contribution to women’s education and social development in India over the past hundred years.

Commemoration

In recognition of the institution’s remarkable contribution to women’s education, India Post issued a commemorative postage stamp celebrating St. Bede’s College and its century-long legacy of academic excellence and service.