Chandur history (early years) - updated

 Chandur land near PHC (acres 6.19 guntas; Sy no. 39) 

 A brief history (as of 20 September 2026) 

 The Salesians were welcomed into the Diocese of Nalgonda by it first Bishop, Rev. Mathew Cheriankunnel in the year 1979. By then there was an informal presence of the Salesians in the diocese for pastoral and social apostolate already. Later Fr Koshy Thomas and Fr Muthalakhuzhiyil Sebastian, arrived in the Diocese of Nalgonda in 1981. They were based in the Parish of Bhimanapally. In 1979 itself the Salesians were requested to start a college for the young people of the Nalgonda diocese near Chandur. All that existed in the locality of Chandur was a government school and no institute of higher education. To this end, the Salesians were offered a plot of land (Plot A), measuring acres 6.19 guntas, near the town of Chandur. This plot was bought by the then Bishop Bp Mathew Cheriankunnel on 01 March 1979 (Saledeed 272 of 1979, Nalgonda). 

 When the Salesians wished to start the construction of the college on the proposed site, there was no water source found on location. Hence another plot of land (Plot B) close by was finalised and officially transferred to the Salesians in 1985 [Transfer deed 1848 of 1985, Nalgonda]. The transfer deed was necessitated and fast-tracked to procure permission for the college. This 10-acre plot is where the Salesians eventually built their residence, boarding and the college. The formal community was set up in the first half of 1985 (Fr Malayaty Jacob and Fr Koonananickal Jose). The identification and finalisation of both the plots of land was done through the kind favour and support of Fr Casiraghi, at the behest of Bp Mathew Cheriankunnel. 

 Plot A has been with the Salesians since 1981. The site was shown by the Bishop himself to Fr UV Mathew (Economer of the undivided Bangalore Province), Fr John Lens (Provincial Councillor) and Fr Emprayil Mathew (based in Vijayawada), already in 1980. This site was close to the Chandur bus stand. Later the Public Health Centre (PHC) was built nearby. This was the plot of land that was offered to us Salesians even before we set foot in Chandur [Appendix 1: Invitation Letter of Bp Mathew Cheriankunnel dated 05.09.1981]. All along the land has been in our possession and under our care. It was cultivated from time to time, and taken care of by the Salesians, especially because there were constant attempts at encroachments from the neighbours. 

 Over the years, especially during the time of Fr Malayaty Jacob and Fr Garlapati Kishore, former Rectors, attempts were made to register the land in our name. To this end, letters were issued by the then Bishops. Bp Mathew Cheriankunnel during his tenure as Bishop of Nalgonda itself issued the first letter [Appendix 2: Bhudana patram dated 08.12.1985]. The original sale deed of the land (Saledeed 272 of 1979) too was handed over to us to complete the formalities at the Registrar’s office. Later again a letter of intent was issued by Bp Govindu Joji [Appendix 3: Letter of Bp Govindu Joji dated 06.05.1998]. However, due to various factors the registration process was never properly completed. When we initiated the attempt again in 2011, a fresh letter was again obtained from Bp Mathew Cheriankunnel, who was at that time residing in Eluru [Appendix 4: Bp Cheriankunnel typed letter dated 08.11.2011]. This time only the passbook was processed, but in the name of Fr Pandicherry Joseph. Riding on the assurance of the Bishops over the years that the land was long given to the Salesians, the formal registration was never properly pursued till the end. 

 Sometime in 2008 or 2010, the road was laid out to the PHC. Till then there was no official path or road as such. And that whole area was an open ground. That formal road split Plot A into two portions: one of acre 5.11 guntas and the other of the remaining smaller portion (approx. 1 acre). Around 6 guntas was lost to the road and road-widening. 

 In the year 2019 the Salesians confirmedly decided to complete the registration of the land bit and approached the local leaders for assistance. In that process, a local politician was contacted to facilitate the completion of the registration of the land [Appendix 5: Passbook 1 (Acres 6.19 guntas)]. The smaller portion (approx. 1 acre) was given to the politician instead of financial remuneration/fees (including formal and unofficial expenses) for this registration process and to ensure that all encroachments were cleared. Besides he was to build a compound wall around the plot. The larger portion of acres 5.11 guntas continues to be with us Salesians [Appendix 6: Passbook 2 (Acres 5.11 guntas)]. And there is no intention of selling or disposing off that land as of date.