Following up on the Hidden Sanctuaries series, the pictures below are of a convent in Byculla, Religious of Mary Immaculate, Regina Pacis. The sisters here run a day, night and open school, a working women’s hostel, a hostel for girls in college, a children’s home for underprivileged girls and a social centre for migrant domestic workers. All these activities are spread across a the fairly large campus and not an inch of space is wasted. The land originally belonged to Premchand Roychand, one of Bombay’s Merchant Princes, famous for building the Rajabai Clock Tower at the University of Mumbai along with the library. This used to be the ‘weekend get away’.
It now sits smack in the middle of the city, surrounded by high rises, the JJ Flyover, Gloria Church and many other important landmarks. I can’t resist saying here that while the address now reads ‘Seth Motishah Lane’, it is infamously known as ‘Love Lane’, a name that one can’t help but smile at…It has quite the musical tone.
The nuns here (like every convent I have ever known) have maintained the premises well, keeping as much of the original structure as possible. The main building which houses the Chapel, the nun’s refectory and the reception has now been declared a heritage structure, and is currently under restoration, so those pictures will be added at another time. The other buildings have been renovated and the gardens improved upon. The stables have been converted into special classrooms, storage rooms and a parking space.
If you would like to make a difference to child’s life here at Regina Pacis, go to http://www.theworldnow.com/cal/startingsponsorship.htm or alternatively, contact me on marinhaf@gmail.com
1 comment:
a suggestion for your hidden sanctuaries...check out BPT park in Colaba....really beautifully constructed and one of my favourite places to think in (P.S. will be more than happy to join you in exploring this one:D)
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