Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-81 Sister Dr. Treasa Kalathivittil D.H.M.

Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-81
Sister Dr. Treasa Kalathivittil D.H.M.
Sister Dr. Treasa, a prominent educationist and social worker, was born on May 5, 1928, as the second daughter of Kitho Anna couple in Ochanthuruth, Vaippinkara. She studied at the local Infant Jesus Convent School until the seventh grade and completed her high school education at Mount Carmel Convent School in Chathyyath. In 1948, she obtained her B.A. and M.A. degrees in Economics from St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam. Recognizing her abilities and aspirations, her parents later sent Treasa for higher education to America. There, she joined the renowned Loyola University in Chicago, becoming the first female student from India at that university. She earned her M.A. in Education in 1954 and worked as a school teacher in Illinois for a year. She then pursued research at Loyola University and obtained her Ph.D. in Education in 1958. Treasa’s thesis for her M.A. was titled “An Analysis of the Problems of Illiteracy in India.” The thesis prepared for her Ph.D. was on “A Guide to the Teaching of Civics in the High Schools of Kerala, India, Based on a Critical Survey of Civics Curriculum in Selected School Systems in the United States.”
Having dedicated her life to God and desiring to serve the people of God, Treasa found fulfillment in her aspirations through the religious congregation Daughters of the Heart of Mary. Although the homes of these sisters existed in India at that time, Treasa met and got to know them in America, deciding to become one of them there. She obtained permission and blessings from her parents, her sister, and the then Metropolitan of Varappuzha, the Reverend Joseph Attipetty. On her way back from America, she met with the Mother General of this congregation in Paris and expressed her desire. After returning home and waiting for three months, she went back to Paris as per the decision of the church authorities. On January 9, 1959, at the age of 31, she joined the congregation.
Despite having the opportunity to pursue higher education in a developed country like America and to take up high positions and lead a prestigious life, Treasa decided to join the religious order solely due to the spiritual fervor that had developed in her since childhood.
After completing her religious training, on August 15, 1962, Sister Treasa made her first vow and returned to India, where she taught at Sophia College in Bombay for a while. In 1963, she established a teachers’ training college named Nirmal Institute of Education in Panaji, Goa, and served as its first principal. At that time, this was the only teachers’ training college in the state of Goa.
The challenges faced in establishing this college and the hard work required to overcome them must be particularly highlighted. Goa gained independence from Portuguese rule in 1961, and the college was established in 1983. The college started in a small building that had only three rooms and a veranda. Later, some land was provided by the Archdiocese of Goa on Altinho Hill for new buildings. However, children from nearby police quarters began to use the area as a playground, prompting the police department to initiate strong actions to convert it into a public space. Although the then Chief Secretary of Goa was a Catholic, he adopted an approach that favored the police department. However, Sister Treasa and her colleagues approached the Governor, submitted an application, and took strong legal measures, which ultimately allowed the college to reclaim the land.
The next challenge was the construction of buildings. To secure funding for the expenses, an application was submitted to an organization in Germany called Misarior. Their secret investigation confirmed that the college maintained a consistent 100% pass rate and upheld good standards at all levels. The local community held a positive opinion about the college, and based on this, they agreed to cover the entire cost of the construction. Thus, a college building, two hostel buildings, a canteen, and separate accommodation facilities for teachers and staff were constructed as part of the college complex. In 1970, the college operations were moved to a beautifully completed building on Altinho Hill.
During her tenure as principal, Sister Treasa was also a member of the Academic Council of the University of Bombay. Overcoming all the challenges faced by the college, she initiated courses for the Diploma in Education (Dip Ed), Bachelor of Education (B.Ed), and Master of Education (M.Ed). Serving from 1963 to 1976 as principal, she transformed the Nirmal Institute of Education into a first-rate training college. In 1976, she retired from the college at the decision of the church authorities to take on more responsibilities within the congregation.
From 1976 to 1977, she served as a novice mistress in Bombay, and from 1978 to 1980, she was the superior of the Nirmal Niketan in the provincial house in Bobb. She then served as superior at the Madras Cultural Academy from 1980 to 1982 and as the first Indian Provincial of the congregation from 1982 to 1988. After this, Sister Treasa was sent to Kerala.
Upon her return, Sister Treasa served as the principal of the Vimalalaya in Ernakulam from 1989 to 1997 and as the secretary of the Vimalawelfare Center for girls from 1992 to 1997. Due to health issues, she retired from work at the age of 70. Sister Treasa, who selflessly devoted the abilities and opportunities God gave her to serve God and the people of God, has a large number of disciples today, including former Chief Ministers of Goa, and principals and teachers from various schools and colleges.