New Delhi, November 23, 2009: On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the Archdiocese of Delhi offered to partner with the Delhi government to develop and improve schools and hospitals in the city.

"Catholic schools are known for imparting quality education at affordable fees. The community will be delighted to partner with the Delhi government in extending the same level of commitment to teaching to those who cannot afford private institutions,'' Rev Dominic Emmanuel, spokesperson of the Delhi Archdiocese, said in a statement issued on Friday.

"Concessional land provided to the Catholic community for schools would result in a more than proportionate payback to society in terms of quality education," he added.

Speaking at an event celebrating the Archdiocese's Golden Jubilee Year, Archbishop of Delhi Vincent Concessao, said, "It would be a privilege to partner with the Delhi and Haryana governments in extending expertise of the Catholic schools".

Pointing that five of the top 10 schools in central Delhi are Christian, Archbishop Concessao asserted that the Church can provide quality and efficient education which can even reach to the people of the lower strata.

Additionally, the Church also offered to establish hospitals to subsidise the cost of treatment available in private hospitals.

"Catholic hospitals like Holy Family in Okhla, Jeevodaya in Ashok Vihar, Bethseda in Faridabad and Shanti Avedna Sadan for cancer patients have been serving the poor without the authorities pressing for it," Rev Emmanuel pointed.

“We have neither land nor building but we have the commitment,” he declared.

The Archdiocese of Delhi operates 70 primary and high schools in the city with 85,000 students. Besides, it also runs five hospitals, 10 orphanages and 12 homes for homeless children