Basel Mission to Hebich Technical Training Institute
HISTORY
German Missionary Society (subsequently became the Basel Evangelical Missionary Society) came into being as a result of a pledge taken by few dedicated Christians at Basel(Switzerland) in the face of a military threat. It was the year 1815 when Napoleon had escaped from the Island of Elba (where he was a prisoner), and landed in France. The War continued in Europe. The City of Basel was very close to the borders of Germany and France. The French General Barbanege threatened to blow up Basel. A group of pious Christians, both Clergy and Laymen, belonging to the Reformed Church of Basel and the Lutheran Church of Wurtenberg pledged to start a seminary for the training of Missionaries, if God would spare their city.
The Tartars and Calmucs marched through Basel to invade France with the Russian Army, made these people feel even more convinced regarding their seminary. The French General capitulated and Napoleon met his doom at Waterloo. In the same year, on 26th September 1815, six Christian men, a Professor of Philosophy, three Clergymen, a Merchant and a Notary, gathered in the Rectory of St. martin in Basel under the Presidency of Rev. Nikolaus von Brunn, constituted themselves as the Evangelical Missionary Society of Basel. They applied to the Government for permission to start an Institution for training Missionaries. On 26th August 1816, this Institution was opened with seven students with Rev. C.C. Blumhardt in charge.
History is nothing but remembering the past. “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it” –George Santayana.
Rev.Samuel Hebich
Born: 29.04.1803 Died: 21.05.1868
The Institution did not have plans at that time to do direct Missionary work, and only set about training people from the British and Dutch Mission Societies that were already engaged in evangelistic work. The largest numbers of trainees were supplied to the Church Missionary Society and were sent to India to serve at their Stations. This met with a lot of trouble as the East India Company did not permit non-British Missions to work in the territory occupied by them. But a revision of the Charter of 1833 removed this obstacle and non-British Missionary Societies were allowed to function. Much before this in 1821, the Basel
Rev. Samuel Hebich
Mission Society began to establish centers of its own, in Western Russia and then the Gold Coast in West Africa.
Having set up may Churches in Europe, the financial position of the Basel Mission Society decided to set up Institutions in areas of India that had not experienced Protestant Missionaries. So on 12th February 1834, three Missionaries were sent to India to establish Basel Mission Stations. They became the first Continental Society other than the Tranqueba Mission to take up work in India.
Shanthi Church 150 years Estd:11.12.1862
The three Missionaries were Johan Christopher Lehner, Christian Lenhard Greiner, and Samuel Hebich who set out on 31st March 1834 and landed in Calicut on 21st August 1834. They came to Mangalore on 30th October 1834, where they were joined by four more Missionaries. The Missionaries felt that the best way to fellowship with the people was to keep them well occupied in some productive work; hence they got involved in the Industrial Sector in Mangalore (South Kanara).
The original Commission with which the Missionaries were sent to India was to establish schools and also institutions for training future catechists. The mission of educating was considered important. So wherever there was to be a congregation, there had to be an elementary Christian teacher. Besides elementary education they also began to train people to be catechists as early as 1840. The field experience soon made the Missionaries feel that they needed to involve themselves in creating some remunerative jobs rather than just educating people. An important problem the Missionaries had to face was the economic backwardness of a large portion of their congregation. The Basel Mission was thus faced with the problem of handling this situation. The traditional professions were considered not adequate or not acceptable to the new religion. So alternate jobs had to be found and the Missionaries tried to provide them.
As early as 1840 the Mission did some experiments to rehabilitate people. That year the Mission was presented with a piece of land near Mangalore by the Collector H.M. Blair. Rev. Samuel Hebich tried coffee plantation but had to give it up soon as it did not prove successful. Meanwhile, there was an attempt to make sugar out of toddy. But that also proved not profitable venture because of the expense of fuel which was too great. The Missionaries then thought of farming as many of the Missionaries came out of farming families and were greatly interested in agriculture. On 21st December 1842, Mr. Supper wrote to the Home Board at Basel for help to start agriculture in South Kanara. This request was followed by another made by Mr. Greiner. The Board with some hesitation approved this as a temporary measure. To implement this Mission bought land and gave it on lease for cultivation. However, the
agriculture settlements proved a partial failure since very few took interest in cultivating the lands as their own lands. There agriculture Mission was finally discarded in 1880. After the failure of the agriculture mission, the Missionaries conceived of an Industrial Establishment as a better alternative for creating jobs.
“Personnel of the mission printing shop in Mangalore (with Brother Plebst).1851- 1869″
Way back in 1846, the Basel Mission started an Industrial school to train people in weaving, carpentry, clock making, etc., with the help of some local artisans. Since it did not fulfill the expectations of the Missionaries, it was given up. An Industrial Commission was appointed to look at the various Industrial opportunities. In 1848, two lay-Missionaries, Bosinger and Muller, were sent to South Kanara to teach some new trades. These lay-Missionaries were by
profession a carpenter and a blacksmith. But both of them had learned watch and clock making before they were sent to India. They tried watch and clock manufacturing in Mangalore. But their efforts failed before long. In 1854, watch and clock making was given up as it was found not suitable to the capacities and requirement of the people. The first important Industrial undertaking which met with success was printing press with book binding department attached to it. The printing press was started in 1841 at Mangalore.
First lithograph and later Kannada types were introduced. In 1851, a printer from Basel came with Kannada fonts/types for the press at Mangalore. The press thus provided employment to many people. Besides Christian books, books related to social sciences, arts and literature were also published at the press. A few well known works which came out of this press were Kittle’s Kannada-English Dictionary, Ziegler’s English-Kannada Dictionary, Malayalam – English, English-Malayalam, and English-Tulu dictionaries and so on. Since the press was expanding, a big new building was built in 1913 giving regular employment to the people. A binding section attached to the press provided employment to many more. A separate book shop was opened in 1869, to sell the publications of the press.
In 1844 the Missionaries who knew a little about weaving business took initiative and started a weaving industry to give employment. Local weavers were also employed to train young boys.
But soon they found that the local looms could not compete with the
Western Mills. In 1851, Haller a European weaver was sent and he erected a little factory in Mangalore with 21 handlooms of European construction and a Dye house. He was the inventor of the color “Khakhi” and Khakhi cloth now known all over the world was first manufactured in Mangalore. Soon the weaving industry proved to be a success giving many people employment. A branch was opened in Mulki in 1853. The apprentices in this industry were also taught tailoring and embroidery. By 1870 the Basel Mission weaving Establishments in various places were not only paying for the cost of the Establishments but also made some profit.
Mangalore Tiles 1895 Mangalore Tiles 1904
In the year 1851-52 when the Mission faced failure in its agriculture programme and only partial success in Industrial enterprises, the visit of an inspector from Basel proved to be very valuable and resulted in the inauguration of a new policy regarding Industrial enterprise in South Kanara. It was concluded that Industrial training must form part of the activities of the mission in India. Though the Industrial Commission was formed in 1846, it did not get involved in much business. But the new outlook and stress for greater involvement gave a boost to the Commission. IN 1852, the Commission was made a department of the Basel Missionary Society with a separate treasury. One of the most eminent Citizens of Basel, Mr. Carl Sarasin accepted the Presidency of it. The Commission felt that to run all the Industries good management was necessary. So the Industrial Commission in 1854 sent Mr. Pfleiderer to India for this purpose. He was responsible for the purchasing of the raw materials and the sale of the finished products. This was the beginning of the commercial enterprise of the Mission, which aimed not at profit making but teaching how to conduct business on Christian Principles.
The Industrial and commercial activities required larger capita to start work. To meet this need a joint stock company was formed under the name Mission-Handels-Gesellschaft (Mission Trading Company). One of the new major Industries started after this new policy was a Tile Manufacturing Factory. As the South Kanara gets heavy rains during the Monsoons Missionaries thought that good tiles would be in great demand. Since the soil available was also suitable for the manufacture of tiles, a tile factory to manufacture flat tiles was started in 1865. (The tiles used for the roof of the Cantonment Orphanage or Cathedral High School on Richmond Road in Bangalore were from the first Basel Tile Factory, and dates back to 1865). The newly introduced tile industry progressed well and in 1877 the second factory was opened
and the third one in 1880. These factories employed both men and women. The
reports show that by 1913, the tile factories were employing 2,000 workers and were producing 60,000 tiles a day.
In 1874 the mechanical workshop was founded to train apprentices in jobs like carpentry, black smithy and watch making. The apprentices were given theoretical and practical training followed by the Government examinations in these Trades. This it provided technical training and produced many skilled artisans.
Ceremonial farewell to Th. and M. Burckhardt, ceremonial welcome to J. and A. Rossel, Mangalore
The product of this workshop was also very much appreciated and the proof for this in the order issued in 1912 where the Government of Madras declared the Basel Mission mechanical Establishment as eligible for supplying safes for Government Institutions. It is also recorded that its products won awards at various exhibitions. Though all these efforts started in a small way, by 1914 it had become a major enterprise in South Kanara. Though the Basel Mission Industrial Enterprises were often criticized, they inspired may other Missionary Societies to start work on similar lines. In 1914 at the outbreak of the First World War, the Industrial Establishment of Basel Mission was confiscated by the British Government to be a German Organization.
This created a setback for the Basel Mission’s work in India. After the war the Industries were managed under the Commonwealth Trust. One can say that these objectives of the Basel Mission were to a large extent fulfilled and gained desired results. Definite economic benefit was achieved for the society ad country through these Industries. However, many had to leave he district especially the carpenters and black smiths because of lack of openings in South Kanara. Since 1879, most of them migrated to Bombay (Mumbai). This can be seen negatively as disrupting community in South Kanara. But ready employment for Basel Mission Christian artisans at Bombay gave people satisfaction. This also resulted in the forming of the Basel Mission Canarese Church in Bombay. Though the Basel Mission is best known in India for the Industries connected with it and through the Industrial department has in the course of time become an integral part of it. The Basel Mission itself never looked upon these Industries as anything else but as for the time being necessary and useful attendants of the Mission work in the useful sense of the term.
The Basel Mission Christian Association of Bangalore conducts every year at Christmas a Festival of Choral Music with the invitation of various Choirs of the City. This has become a traditional function that everyone spiritually musically minded looks forwarded to.
The Origin of Hebich Technical Training School (HTTS) in the words of Mr. Alfred Bauer –The First Superintendent of HTTS
The Origin
The initial promoter of the TECHNICAL TRAINING SCHOOL in MANGALORE was:
Mr. Gottlieb Eppinger in 3770 Denkendorf, near Stuttgart, South Germany who together with the then named ” Basler Mission – Deutscher Zweig “ initiated the first ideas and preparations for a place of technical training for young people in India. Rev. Veigel of the Basel Mission then residing in Mangalore was also active in this process and space was found in the buildings of the Basel Mission Press in Balmatta, Mangalore which by that time was only partially occupied.
Mr. Gottlieb Eppinger was a producer of knitting machines, machines for effective and automated mechanical production and producer of accessory tools for automatic lathes. It was He who created a list of necessary machinery – that was four lathes, two milling machines, a tool-grinder and measuring-tools and further machines, tools and equipment for the start of the technical training institute. Mr.Eppinger himself donated one lathe, starting-materials, and I guess, a to me not known amount of money for the starting equipment. The large bulk of money for purchasing the new machinery and tools came-also by the impulse and request of Mr. Gottlieb Eppinger and the Basel Mission – from the German institution ” BROT für die WELT “ (bread for the world) which supports projects around the world to promote knowledge and education for people to live on their own efforts.
It is sad to note that aged Mr. Gottlieb Eppinger, several years ago, died without now having the opportunity to experience the 50-aniversary of this important work of his. His followers continue Mr. Eppinger’s work in Germany with industrial development and factory production under the company names: www.eppinger.de/ and www.eppinger-gears.com. Two persons from Mangalore, which I highly honour and appreciate but unfortunately, are no more among the living must also be named for their part. Much of the initial local knowledge contributed and work and effort for the start and initial running of the HEBICH TECHNICAL TRAINING SCHOOL came from Mr. B. Heri, then manager of the Basel Mission Press and from Mr. L. Bangera, father of Ratnakar Bangera who later was an Instructor at HTTS.
Mr. Heri in selfless manner helped through administrative and legal procedures at governmental and other Institutions and offices in Mangaluru to set the Training School on a safe and sane base and he helped me personally to a positive sight and attitude on Indian
culture and people. Mr. L. Banghera was it who diligently and honestly handled the financial side in India of this project on its initial start and in the first years of its existence.
The Buildings at Balmatta were prepared, electric- and water-installations made, a jet-type water pump was installed in the existing, deep, hand-dug well on the compound. As I address many technical-oriented people at this Jubilee, it is worthwhile to mention, that this type of pump; by an internal nozzle and a high-pressure water-jet flowing through this nozzle, produced an additional auxiliary vacuum to raise up the water from a dept. of about 15 meters, not only 7 meters as ordinary superfine-mounted circulating-pumps could do at that time. Done this, an overhead-tank was erected to supply water without constantly running the pump. A hostel was prepared and furnished and a sanitary-building for students and staff was built.
Towards the end of the preparations announcements were made to invite students. An entry-examination was held to assure a sufficient knowledge in English, geometry, basic mathematics, algebra and basic physics.
The first batch of students arrived: on Friday 30 October 1964 was the inauguration under the presence of honourable Chief-Guest Sri R.M.PATIL Home Minister of MYSORE-STATE. Teaching staff at the beginning was me, Mr. Hans Weber, Mr. J. Frederick: instructor/hostel-warden, and Instructor Mr. Rathnakar Bangera. Later on came Mr.J.A. Monnin and more instructors.
Time was running by teaching and learning, and each summer a new batch of students was admitted. Towards the end of 1966 a severe road-accident, caused by a lorry, running downhill and cutting a curve hit the upwards driving car occupied by Mr. Weber, Mr. Ratnakar Bangera and me, thereby causing severe injuries and gravely affecting the normal work at HTTI. Affected by the effects of this accident and by additional cordial problems, in beginning 1967 I had to return to Germany where it took several months to recover.
At the end of May 1964 Mr. Hans Weber arrived at Balmatta, Mangalore, sent by the Basel Mission for voluntary service. The task given to him as a qualified technician in mechanical engineering was to build up and teach at a new technical training centre.
Mr. Bauer, the first Superintendent had arrived in January 1964 and had already made many preparations to set up the Technical Training School on the compound and in part of the buildings of the Basel Mission Press (BMP) at Balmatta. Shortly after Mr. Hans Webers arrival the first consignment of machines and tools, imported from Germany, reached Balmatta. They were packed in huge wooden boxes and transported by lorry from Madras
Harbour to Mangalore.
The imported equipment was donated by the German Association “Bread for the World“, which receives gifts from private persons and Protestant Churches. Those donations are used, until today, for various social and educational projects in different parts of the world, mainly in developing and underdeveloped countries. Mr. Hans Weber’s duties at the beginning were manifold: unpack the boxes, plan the layout for the workshops, prepare drawings for the work benches etc. The tool boxes for the machines were made out of the wood of the packing boxes. Local carpenters were busy for many weeks making all the necessary equipment.
Being in-charge of the practical mechanical section I had to make many drawings for the training, from simple filing exercises gradually going up to more and more demanding skills. But all the former students should well remember. Mr. J. Fredericks, the first Indian Instructor, was together with Mr. Bauer there from the beginning. He had been to Germany, working in an engineering company to get practical experience. He was the intermediary to all the local workers, since Mr. Bauer and I did not know Kannada or Tulu, the language of the workers. Together with Mr. Bauer we worked out the syllabus for the different subjects, for two years basic training followed by another two years advanced training. Based on this Mr. Weber had to prepare the theoretical lessons on the subjects engineering drawing, tools and machines, workshop calculations, materials etc. Initially based on a selection examination, 14 students were admitted for the first batch.
Mr. Weber’s responsibilities were the practical training at the work benches and on the various machine tools. Then I had to conduct theory lessons in trade related subjects, which were held on one day a week. The rest of the time was spent in the workshops. It was the intention to make useful articles right from the beginning. The parts made for practical exercises should not just be for the scrap-box. Each student had to make many tools, which he could use during the training and take with him on completion of the course. Mr. Weber’s first assignment was for a term of 3 years in India, followed by a few months holiday in Germany. During that time were several meetings at the Basel Mission office and a number of informations about the Technical School at different places. Donors were eager to hear about the progress of the project at Mangalore. Mr. Weber found it worthwhile to continue the project in Mangalore for another 3 years, he came back in October 1967. Then I was appointed as the Principal and we changed the name from “School” to “Institute“. Mr. Weber returned to Germany for good in November 1973.
Swiss national Mr. Jacques Ali Monnin and his wife arrived in the middle of 1966. He made immense contribution to the Institute as foreman; he took over many responsibilities for practical and theoretical training and served the Institution from 1966 to 1973.
Swiss national Mr. Andreas Haller succeeded as the third Principal of Hebich from 1973 to 1975. Though he served only for two years it was during his period the basic course was recognized under NCTVT. He also organized a tour for the students in the Ships Engine room through his known contacts. Companies like MICO, GKW, HMT would hire the students even before they complete their final year academics as the Institute had established very good name under the previous leaders. There was a very good article written on Udayavani dated 18.11.1973 regarding the institution.
At the end of March 1975 Mr. Haller and his wife left India for good and the management of the Institute was given to Mr. John Anchen who is an Indian, a brilliant Mechanical Engineer who created history by serving the Institution for the longest 22 years from 1975 to 1997. He gave up his lucrative job with Asea Brown Baveri and joined Hebich. His wife Vinaya Anchen who is a B.Ed from St. Xavier’s Institute of Education followed him and she too contributed to the Institutions by teaching English subject to Hebich Students
The Institution was headed by Mr. Reynold A. Heri (Late) from 1996 to 2007 for 11 years. His father Mr. Benedict Heri was Manager in Basel mission Printing Press, Studied at St. Aloysius High School, completed his Degree in Mechanical Engineering (B.E. Mech.) in the year 1973 under Mysore University. He had good job experience both from Industry and from educational institutions before joining Hebich. HTTI’S 5th Principal Mr. Reynold A Heri bid good bye to this his physical being on 28th April 2014 due to cardiac arrest.
HTTI’s 6th and the present officiating Principal is Mr. Chetan Rajuratna who is an energetic, dynamic young technocrat nurturing new thought process and keen on taking the Institution on progressive path. He is Bachelor of Engineering {Industrial Engineering & Management} at HMS Institute of Technology, Tumkur. Upon graduating, got appointed as Lecturer, Department of IEM in the same college where he studied. Later he joined M/s. Stumpp Scheule and Somappa Pvt. Ltd, a spring manufacturing company as Maintenance Engineer and involved in TPM activities. Worked for Bossard, a Switzerland based fasteners manufacturing and trading company as Business Development and value Engineer. He gave up job Bose that was offering him handsome remuneration and joined Hebich in the year 2007 and he continuing….. with a golden opportunity to celebrate Hebich’s Golden Jubilee.
This History is written with the help of internet down loads and personal contributions of all the Principals.
Welcome to Hebich Institute
About Us
Hebich Technical Training Institute is located in the heart of Mangaluru city Spread over 14 acres of land. our heritage and beautiful campus with guidance of well qualified and Experienced faculty, it is a safe haven for the student community to undergo Techncial Training.
We are extremely proud of the lush green, eco-friendly, serene and peaceful campus which provides a perfect ambience for an enriching learning experience.
Hebich Technical Training Institute was set up in Mangalore, Balmatta in the year 1964 by the Evangelical Missionary Society (EMS) at Basel, Switzerland. It was with the initiative of Rev. A. Veigel, the representative in Mangalore of EMS the project took shape. Financial assistance was granted by the German Association “Bread for the World” which receives gifts from individuals in Germany who are members of the German Evangelical Church (Protestant). Their intention was to provide a strong basis on which individuals may be enabled to help themselves in future by providing them with suitable training courses.
Hebich Technical Training School was inaugurated by Sri R.M. Patel, B.A., LLB, Home Minister, Govt. of Mysore on Friday the 30th October 1964 at 9:00 AM.
Mr. A Bauer, a German Engineer who came to India in January 1964 with the assignment to start this Technical Institute at Balmatta, was the Superintendent till his return to Germany in February 1967.
Mr. H. Weber, also a German Engineer, who arrived in Mangalore in May 1964, was In-charge of setting up the workshops. As the Foreman, he was responsible for the training programme. Mr. Weber took over the charge of the Institute as Principal in November 1967.
Mr. J.A. Monnin came to the Institute in June 1966 and worked as Foreman till 1973. He mainly looked after the Practical training.
Mr.Haller took the lead as the Principal of HTTI from 1973 till early 1975. After he left, Dr.C D Jathanna, the then Secretary of Karnataka Christian Educational Society, took charge of the Institute from March to August 1975. Mr.JHG Anchen from 1975 to 1996 and Late Mr.Reynold A Heri. From 1996 to 2007.
Presently Mr.Chetan R is the Principal since 2007…
In the beginning, the Institute was directly supported by the EMS in its administration by way of Staff and financial needs. In 1972, the management of the Institute was taken over by the newly formed Karnataka Christian Educational Society (KACES).
Our Vision
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Our Mission
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Our Focus
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