Historical Note

The teriirtory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli was originally assigned to the Portuguese by the Marathis in 1779. The Portuguese ruled this territory till its liberation in July 1954. After Liberation, the administration was carried on by an administrator chosen by the people themselves. Probably, this is the only part of the country which was ruled by the people themselves for about eight years (1954-1961). On August 11 1961, the territory was integrated into the Indian Union.

Economy

Dadra and Nagar Haveli, with an area of about 491 sq. kms is situated near the western coast of India, sandwiched between the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Its population, predominantly comprises of Adivasis, of whom there are Three main groups viz the Warlis, the Konhnnas and the Dohdias. The principal occupation of the people is agriculture, but unfortunately only about 23000 hecteres of land is under cultivation due to mountaneous terrain. The development of the industrial belt in this region has added a few pennies to the meagre incomes of the local people.

Educational Encounter

It did not take long for the fathers working in the region to realise that the appalling levels of illiteracy and ignorance prevailing there, not only enslaves them, but worse still, made them unaware of, or even immune to their subhuman and miserable existence. Social change for the better could begin only through educating the masses, especially the youth. The Pilar Fathers spearheaded their work through education. In the first 20 years or so, 22 elementary and middle schools were started along with some art and craft schools. Gyanmata Educational Society was registered in the year 1982, keeping with the norms of the time.