Inauguration of Asha Kiran, Patna, India

May 30, 2018

A home for girls and women in need had been the dream of the Assumption Province. Guided by Sister Mary Sujita, Sister Mary Jyotisha, the Director of Mashal, our Social Action Society, submitted a project proposal to The State Child Protection Society of the Bihar government, expressing our readiness to take up a home for the girls. After many meetings, the home for fifty girls was sanctioned. Aloysia Bhavan, our candidates’ house, was vacated for the purpose.

At 2:00 p.m. on May 17, 2018, Manju Sharma, Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee, brought the first group of nine girls to Patna. On the same day, Fr. Devasia Chirayil, our parish priest, blessed Aloysia Bhavan, now renamed Asha Kiran.

The formal inauguration of Asha Kiran was on May 18. Shri Sunil Kumar, IAS, Director of Social Welfare and Vice-Chair person of State Protection Society, Bihar, was the chief guest; and Most Rev. William D’Souza, S.J., Archbishop of Patna, the guest of honor. Mrs. Poonam Sinha, Program Manager of the Child Protection Society, and several government officials were also present.

Sister Mary Jyotisha welcomed the guests. The program began with lighting the lamp by the Archbishop, Shri Sunil Kumar IAS, Sister M. Tessy, and other representatives. Our candidates performed a welcome dance to add color to the program.

A representative of the girls planted a seedling, then the three sisters of Asha Kiran community: Sisters Mary Alka, Nitya, and Manjusha, and six other staff added mud and water as a symbolic gesture of nurturing each girl entrusted to their care.

Sister Mary Tessy gave the message of thanks and congratulated everyone who worked hard to make the home for the girls a reality in our province. May St. Julie and Sister Mary Aloysia watch over our special girls.