Jesuits’ first press in India discussed at Kolkata Fair

(Feb.03,2010): Tribute has been paid to India’s first printing press set up the Jesuits, by the former students of St. Xavier’s College, a Jesuit-run institution in Kolkata, West Bengal. The ex- students helped erect the replica of the gate of the College of St. Paul in Goa at the Kolkata Book Fair.
The Jesuits in Goa on India’s western coast, had set up the first printing press in 1556. Since the Book Fair deals with printing, it is appropriate to pay tribute to the Jesuits, who set up the first press, said Snehasis Sur, secretary of St, Xavier’s College’s alumni association, and a journalist with a national television channel.
The ten-day book fair that concluded on Tuesday (Feb.2) is regarded as the largest attended book fair in India. Media reports say more than two million people visit it annually. Sur said the effort was undertaken to mark the completion of 150 years of St. Xavier’s College and 25 years of the alumni association. He said most people are unaware that Jesuit missionaries began printing India. The replica of the gate of Goa’s St. Paul’s College will educate people of the Jesuit contribution, he added.