Establishment of NTTF Technical Training Centre at Dharwad by HEKS.Switzerland Extracted from the book, "THE ROOTS OF NETTUR TECHNICAL TRAINING CENTRE [NTTF] by Dr.Alfred Frischknech.Fellow NTTF.Rev.Dr.H.C.Heinrich Hellstern,Director of HEKS, from 1945 to 1964 was the patron of NTTF.He brought up the idea of providing Technical Training as a means to improve conditions in a developing country.He organised funding from the Swiss Protestant Churches and commissioned Mr Alfreid Frischknecht to start and organise training centres at Nettur and Dharwad. HEKS -"Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen der Schweiz"-Swiss Interchurch Aid.Rev.Dr.H.C.Heinrich Hellstern was put in charge of co ordinating relief actions in October 1945 by the Federal of Swiss Protestant Churches a new organisation HEKS to people suffering in war-torn Europe.After 1956 HEKS extended their service to Third World Countries "Under the development assistance to Third World Countries"and "The Swiss Government Service for Technical Co Operation"now known as Swiss Development Co-operation(SDC) made possible for HEKS to establish its First CSI Technical Training Centre at Nettur in 1959 and later called as NTTF Technical Training Centre ,Second training centre NTTF Training Centre at Dharwad in 1964,and in same year ie in 1964,First NTTF Tool Room at Katpadi. Second NTTF Tool Room and Third NTTF Technical Training Centre at Bangalore in 1977. The Unit at Dharwad-NTTF Technical Training Centre. In August 1961-two years after the start of the CSI Technical Training Centre at Nettur and later called as NTTF Technical Training Centre Nettur,a deligation of the former United Basel Mission church of India which was joined the CSI in 1958,called on Mr Alfried Frischknecht,the HEKS representative in India. It consisted of.Mr R.S.Banghera and Mr Ammanna,and requested Mr Alfried Frischknecht to visit Dharwad with a view of establishing a similar Technical Training Centre on a plot belonging to the Basel Mission Trust Association adjucent to the Dharwad Hubli Main Road.Mr Alfried Frischknecht visited Dharwad and submitted a report to HEKS in September 1961.It so happened that The World Council of Churches held its assembly in New Delhi in December 1961 and Rev.Dr.H.C.Heinrich Hellstern,Director of HEKS also attended this.A meeting initiators M/s R.S.Banghera,Ammanna,Bhasme,Jogul and Velon,a missionery of Basel Mission with Rev.Dr.H.C.Heinrich Hellstern,Director of HEKS and Mr Alfried Frischknecht was possible on 26th December 1961.At that meeting Rev.Dr.H.C.Heinrich Hellstern,Director of HEKS pointed out the principles of operation of HEKS:"Open for everybody,admission on merit,independant of Government,priority on quality and a legal solution for all Training Centres."Mr R.S.Banghera,Chairman of the Basel Mission Education Trust held a meeting on 5th April 1963,in which many prominent persons atteded,namely: M/s G.R.Nalawad Mayor, HubliDharwad Corporation,A.M.Shaikh,Commissioner,HubliDharwad Corporation,Corporators,B.B.Desai,proprietor,Dharwad Electricity Supply Co., Industrialist,Journalist,Principals and Mr Alfried Frischknecht HEKS Representative. The Mayor and Commissioner assured those present that they will do everything possible to bring about this project and exercise their role in providing land,water and electricity.Mr Alfried Frischknecht explained that the complete course for training in Precision Tool and Die Making will be four years,but split in to two parts.The basic course will be according to the 'National Council for Training on Vocational Trades NCTVT.After 18months training the trainees will appear for an examination conducted by the NCTVT.The next 2 and 1/2 years will be for those who want and are able to continue.It was initially thought that this could be according to new apprentice act,but as later experience showed,it had to be an independent course as prescribed by NTTF.The District Church Board expressed its happiness and it considered the benefits which the NTTF Technical Training Centre will bestow on the youngsters.Families who can not afford to send their children to private Schools are provided with opportunities to have a better future and the training will be to a great extent similar to that at NTTF Nettur.Mr.R.S.Banghera confirmed on 19th October 1963 that the Muncipality re tranferred the plot of land to Basel Mission Propriety Trust.and on 20th January 1964,the Basel Mission Propriety Trust trasferred the same to the CSI Propriety Trust. The capital investment for the NTTF Technical Training Centre at Dharwad was estimated as Rs 12,84,302/-. As no Indian personnel was available with required qualifications to be incharge of the workshop at Dharwad, Mr Kurt Horlacher a Swiss engineer was selected by HEKS. as Principal of NTTF Technical Training Centre,Dharwad.He arrived to Dharwad on 18th February 1964 and on 4th May 1964 the first batch of 18 trainees were admitted. The Basel Mission High school at Dharwad made available its craft section for temparary use until the new building was constructed. This was the beginning of NTTF Technical Training Centre at Dharwad.For more details please read the book "THE ROOTS OF NETTUR TECHNICAL TRAINING CENTRE [NTTF] "by Dr.Alfried Frischknecht...