Another Tribute
Branch schools in coal mining area around Dhanbad

A creation of Mr R.N. Sharma and Fr. G. A. Hess

One day Mr. R.N. Sharma, popularly called “RN”, very early in his assignment as Chairman Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), found himself seated next to Fr. G.A. Hess at a De Nobili School (CFRI) play.

In conversation, Mr. Sharma suggested that another school in the Sijua area of Dhanbad district would reduce the travel of many children from that area to De Nobili CFRI. Fr. Hess and “RN”, although both being innovative and creative entrepreneurs, saw the need but could not find a way.

But it required a few days for RN and Hess to find a feasible solution.

An ex-St. Gabriel Brother, V.J. Thomas, staff of De Nobili CFRI and an experienced principal, was appointed. With just a one page agreement the building was handed over to De Nobili, Sijua. The ownership continued with BCCL.

Later on, this led to the launching of seven “Branch Schools” of De Nobili, an innovation in itself. Initially, all the principals reported to the Principal, De Nobili CFRI Fr Hess.

Today all the branch schools together report to a Director.

So, in their own style Mr RN Sharma and Fr. George Hess has nurtured the careers of countless children of the coal mining area, including Mr. Sharma’s two sons, Ravi and Deven (later president of Standard and Poors), who completed their studies from the same school, De Nobili CFRI.

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