CREATING A NEW MINDSET THROUGH EDUCATION
Influenced greatly by Mahatma Gandhi, Vinoba Bhave and others, a young and idealistic Dr Jagdish Gandhi ventured in 1959 to create a new mindset through education. With just five children on rolls, no personal wealth, and the equivalent of ten US dollars in borrowed capital, the motivated Dr Gandhi began his own personal experiment in Lucknow, India, some 65 years ago by the name of City Montessori School, now popularly known as CMS.
Dr Gandhi saw education as a more powerful vehicle to prepare minds to prevent conflicts than working with negotiations and top-down policy efforts alone. To do this, he gave up his own active role and successful career in politics, serving at the time as elected and popular member of the Legislative Assembly of Uttar Pradesh, the largest state of India.
Dr Gandhi had no regrets. He worked with the same undiminished zeal towards multiplying his mission for peace through education and never took a day off. He slept little and worked through every weekend and holiday. Although the journey was by no means been easy, the citizens of Lucknow greatly endorsed Dr Gandhi’s mission and values.
Their support has made CMS the world’s largest school with now over 61,000 students on its rolls this year (a Guinness World Record for the largest school in the world held by CMS since 1999). Despite the fact that his institution was the world’s largest school, Dr Gandhi lived simply in the same room in which he began his work for peace in 1959, and chose to have no personal wealth of his own, spending instead all his created resources on his mission. Children were the world’s future and Dr Jagdish Gandhi believed that the best way to mould the future was to nurture them.
Influenced by the UNESCO Constitution that “wars begin in the minds of men and it is in the minds of men where the defences of peace must be constructed,” Dr Gandhi felt it best to build the defenses of peace in the minds of children, in their young and impressionable age through education and by nurturing their young minds.
From the time CMS was first established, Dr Jagdish Gandhi worked to promote a broader definition of education that freed it from its largely material emphasis to focus on a broader effort that encompassed all the three realities of a child: material, human and spiritual. Firmly believing that a child is a material being, a human being and divine being, Dr Gandhi was convinced that balanced education trained the mind to not only think within the confines of jobs and material gain but also in terms of leadership and contribution to society, therefore becoming a conscious citizens of their country and the world.
When Dr Gandhi started City Montessori School, CMS with just 5 children in 1959, the first words the children wrote on their slates were: “Jai Jagat!” (Hail the World). He also continued other social activities, for example, between 1959-64, he was President of the Uttar Pradesh Naujawan Sangh (UP Youth Movement) and between 1960-65 he was Editor of Utho Jawano (Rise Up Youth!). Between 1961-73, he was Founder and General Secretary of the All India Children and Youth Festival and between 1962-65, Assistant District Scout Commissioner.
In 1964, Dr Gandhi convened an All India Education Exhibition aimed at highlighting the importance of spiritual education. He was also President of Children’s International Summer Villages (CISV), India and President of International School-to-School Experience (ISSE), UP Chapter, India. He introduced the Quality Circle concept in education and was Chairman, World Council for Total Quality and Excellence in Education, which works to improve education quality especially in school education. In 2001, Dr Gandhi initiated the International Conferences of the Chief Justices of the World to raise awareness and mobilize the World Judiciary to create a world safe for two billion children of the world and generations yet-to-be-born. At these conferences, during the past twenty three years, 1480 Chief Justices & Judges of Supreme Courts and High Courts from 141countries of the world have participated and pledged their support to create a world fit for children.
Dr Gandhi dedicated his entire life towards creating a world safe for children and preparing students as proactive agents of social transformation by giving them an education that was capable of saving humanity.
| PERSONAL INFORMATION | |
| Date of Birth: | 10 November 1936 |
| Birth Place: | Barsauli Village, Sikandra Rao, District Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh |
| Family: | Was married to Dr. Bharti Gandhi, Ph.D., Child Psychologist, Co-founder, City Montessori School, (CMS) Lucknow, India. They had four children:
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| Education: | Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce |
| Elementary: | Village-based school in Kanau, district Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| High School (Grade 10): | G. S. College, Sikandara Rao, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Intermediate (Grade 12): | Champa Agarwal College, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh India |
| University: | Bachelor of Commerce from Lucknow University, Uttar Pradesh 1959 |
HONORARY DOCTORATE DEGREES AWARDED:
- Honorary Doctorate in Social Science Honoris Causa by Queen’s University Belfast, UK by the Chancellor and former US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. in September 24, 2021.
- Honorary Doctorate Degree in Education by Bashkir State Pedagogical University, Ufa, Russia in October 05, 2009 in recognition of his services for 51-long-years of service to society and humanity at large in the field of education and building a world fit for children and generations yet-to-be-born.
- Honorary Doctorates in Law by University of Entre Rios in Argentina, on 21 August 2012 for his campaign for enactment of ‘enforceable international law in order to protect the future of world’s two billion children and generations yet-to-be-born’.
- Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law by University of La Mendoza in Argentina in 23 August 2012for his outstanding contribution to the cause of promoting international law by successfully organizing the International Conferences of Chief Justices of the World year after year, to safeguard the future of 2 billion children of the world and generations yet to be born.
- Honorary Doctorate Degree by Inca Garcilaso University of Peru on 15 October 2014.
- Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law by the National University of Mongolia in June 2015.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
- ‘Yash Bharti Award’ – the highest award to a civilian by the Government of Uttar Pradesh amounting to Rupees Eleven Lac which is equivalent to about US dollars 19,000 (Declared in March 2014).
- ‘World’s Largest School’ by Guinness World Records (presently nearly 61,000 students on rolls) It was in 1999 that CMS entered the Guinness Book of World Records for the first time. The certificate signed by Keeper of the Records stated: ‘The largest school by pupils is the City Montessori School, Lucknow, India which had a world record enrolment of 22,612 pupils in 1999’. Twenty four later, in August 2023, CMS received an updated certificate from Guinness World Records that stated it was the largest school by pupils is the City Montessori School, Lucknow, India which had a record enrolment of 61,345 pupils on 10 August 2023.
- ‘A Distinctive School’ by The 2002 UNESCO Prize for Peace Education in recognition of its efforts to promote universal values of education for peace and tolerance. The Director-General of UNESCO awarded the 2002 UNESCO Prize for Peace Education on behalf of the school at UNESCO Headquarters.
- ‘Untiring effort, working for people’s amelioration’, by the 2011 Gusi Peace Prize in recognition of his outstanding efforts to find peaceful solution for people’s welfare and for his significant contribution to world peace through education.”
- ‘As a Light House of Society’ by Changemakers Innovation Award 2005 for being an exemplary and role model school in the world.
- ‘A True Visionary in the Field of Education’ Dr Jagdish Gandhi was presented with the Key to the City of Georgetown, USA by the Mayor of Georgetown, Mr. Everette Varney, on 11th June 2002 as a symbolic honour in recognition of his pioneering role in introducing Quality Circles in education. The award was bestowed at a public function during the fifth ICSQCC held at Georgetown, Kentucky, USA.
- ‘Unique way for education and human Enrichment’ by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (ICSE Board) while presenting the first Derozio Award. When India’s premier Board for Public Education, the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination, New Delhi, decided to commence a national award of Rs. 1,00,000/- (One Lac Rupees) in memory of the great Indian visionary, educationist and poet, Henry Vivian Derozio, Dr Jagdish Gandhi was the unanimous choice of the Jury as the first recipient of the honor. The award was presented to Dr Gandhi by Mr Abdul Halim, Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, at a special function held at St Xavier’s College, Calcutta. The citation noted that the award was being given to Dr Gandhi for his “Outstanding Contribution to Education and Human Enrichment”. Dr Gandhi donated the cash part of the award, to the ICSE Council for use in the cause of education of poor children.
- ‘Pioneer on Quality Education’ by H.E. Cassam Uteem, President of Mauritius while awarding Quality Pioneer Award at Port Luis, Mauritius. H.E. Mr Cassam Uteem, President of Mauritius honoured Dr Jagdish Gandhi with the Quality Pioneer Award at Port Luis in Mauritius, in recognition of Dr Gandhi’s pioneering contribution in introducing the concept and practice of Quality Circles (QC) in education. Incidentally, the Ministry of Education has made SQCs compulsory in all government-aided schools in Mauritius.
- ‘Global Friend of World’s Children’ title by the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child by Children’s World, Sweden.
- ‘Visionary New World Order Campaign’ as a special recognition while honoured with Nuclear–Free Future Award for its mission on behalf of world’s children to make the future nuclear-free.
- ‘Friend of Young Physicists’ by the Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw for contributing and promoting interest in physics education among students of High School and Intermediate classes.
- ‘UP Ratan Award’ by the All Indian Conference of Intellectuals (U.P. Chapter) personally handed by Mr. G. V. G. Krishnamurthy, former Chief Election Commissioner of India for ‘excellent services in the field of Quality Education and in furtherance of the cause of Humanism, Nationalism and Peace’.
- ‘Haji Waris Ali Shah Award’ by the Fankar Society. This prestigious award instituted by the Fankar Society was conferred on Dr Gandhi by the then Governor of Uttar Pradesh, H.E. Shri Motilal Vora.
- ‘Excellence Award 2003’ by Council of Global Education USA, for Excellence in Academics.
- ‘Life Link Campaign Award’ by life link campaign for youth caring and sharing Peace Actions.
- ‘Bhartiya Awam Society UP Award’ by Bhartiya Awam Society UP for unique working and dedication towards world peace and universal brotherhood.
- ‘Excellence Award’ by Progressive Cultural Society for the excellence and valuable services rendered to society.
CREATING A WIDER SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES FOR PEACE AND CONFLICT PREVENTION AT THE LOCAL, NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS:
At the macro level, leveraging the fact that CMS is the world’s largest single school, Dr Jagdish Gandhi crafted meaningful initiatives to create a wider set of circumstances for peace and conflict prevention at the local, national, regional and international levels. These include, among others:
- A bold Indo-Pak children’s friendship initiative which has created better trust between children and teenagers even when tensions have been high between the two neighbouring countries. Thousands of children and teenagers on both sides of the border have been brought together by one-to-one contact through pen-friendship and further by facilitating visits between children of the two countries for sports and other activities organized by CMS.
- 27 international events organized annually for the past three decades that have brought together children and teenagers from all corners of India and the globe, to assemble on one platform and experience through cross-cultural interaction, discourse, living together and experience, even as the children compete with each other in mathematics, computers, robotics, astronomy, music, the arts and more,
- An extensive media campaign through radio and cable television with a daily telecast of unity in diversity and coexistence messages conveyed in an effective format using children as the common denominator; and,
- The initiation and continuation of unique and unprecedented International Conferences of the Chief Justices of the World, influenced by which the chief justices in many countries have become more proactive on these very issues.
CHANGE OF NAME
During early childhood, Dr Jagdish Gandhi took inspiration for social service from his uncle, Prabhu Dayal, a veteran freedom fighter in India’s independence struggle and a social worker. Dayal had gone to jail many times during India’s struggle for freedom. Since his childhood, Dr Jagdish Gandhi was deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings of truth and non-violence and he always dreamt of meeting him in person.
JAGDISH WANTED TO MEET MAHATMA GANDHI
Young Jagdish took a promise from his Uncle, Prabhu Dayal, to take him to Mahatma Gandhi so that he may seek his blessings. His uncle assured him that he would arrange his meeting with Mahatma Gandhi but in those days, Mahatma Gandhi was involved with the freedom struggle. Under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, India attained independence on 15th August, 1947 and our country was unfortunately, divided into two countries i.e. India and Pakistan.
MAHATMA GANDHI WAS ASSASSINATED
With the partition of India, communal riots flared up all over the country. Mahatma Gandhi decided to unite the Hindus and the Muslims and continued his efforts for communal harmony till his last breath on 30th January, 1948. After independence, Mahatma Gandhi could only live for five and a half months as a religious fundamentalist shot him dead on 30th January, 1948.
Dr Gandhi was eleven years old and on hearing the sad news of the death of Mahatma Gandhi, he was distraught. At that moment he decided to firmly follow the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi throughout his life and decided to change his name from ‘Jagdish Agrawal’ to ‘Jagdish Gandhi’.
JAGDISH GANDHI IS A FOLLOWER AND NOT A DESCENDENT OF MAHATMA GANDHI
Thereafter, he persuaded his father to write to his school Principal to change his name from ‘Jagdish Agrawal’ to ‘Jagdish Gandhi’. Since then, he came to be known by the name ‘Jagdish Gandhi’. His whole family, that is, his wife, his children and all grandchildren are still using the surname of ‘Gandhi’.
I WILL ALSO NOT FOLLOW THE BEATEN TRACK
MAHATMA GANDHI SAID, “I WILL NOT FOLLOW THE BEATEN TRACK.”
Dr Jagdish Gandhi strongly believed in these words of Mahatma Gandhi and had decided at a young age to serve God and humanity through education. Dr Gandhi had a firm conviction that amongst the greatest of all the great services that can be possibly rendered by a man to Almighty God is the education of children, building their character and inculcating in their tender hearts the love of God. He had a vision that education was the only means to transform the society permanently, as all other means only provide temporary solutions which seem to be failing over and over again (as seen in the form of social outrages worldwide which get a lot of media attention at the start and gradually wither away).
EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON:
The vision of Dr Jagdish Gandhi is in line with that of Nelson Mandela who said ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’ and that of Mahatma Gandhi who believed, ‘If you want to teach real peace in the world and and if you want to fight a real war against war, you shall have to begin with the children’. With these words of Mahatma Gandhi in mind, Dr Gandhi set the goals of his institution, CMS, and consistently organized international educational events for students to prepare their young minds for peace. The total number of international events that CMS has been organizing annually for nearly two decades continuously has now has reached to 27 events of which some are organised annually and some on alternate years.
CMS ORGANISES 27 INTERNATIONAL EVENTS FOR WORLD UNITY:
All these 27 international events aim to bring children as well as educators together from all corners of the world, to learn to live, share and cooperate for a better world. Dr Gandhi was always a strong advocate of the fact that ‘peace is a by-product of unity’ and in order to bring about world peace, we must first aim to unite the hearts of people.
CMS EFFORTS FOR WORLD UNITY AND WORLD PEACE WERE RECOGNISED BY UNO:
The UNO has also recognized the City Montessori School Society as an official NGO, thus making it the first and only school in India to have been granted this status.
Dr Gandhi’s efforts for World Unity and World Peace have been recognized by the UNO by awarding it with the US Dollars 30,000 UNESCO Prize for Peace Education in 2002, thus making CMS the only school in the world ever to get this prize.
WORLD JUDICIARY IS THE HOPE OF HUMANITY
Dr Gandhi believed that when governments behave in unprincipled ways (on conflict, war, environment etc.), then the World Judiciary is the only hope for humanity and therefore he organized every year, for the past twenty three years, the World Judiciary Summits and the International Conferences of Chief Justices of the World in which 1480 Hon’ble Chief Justices, Judges and Heads of States from 141 countries of the world have participated till now. The 25th International Conference of Chief Justices & Judges of the World is scheduled to be held from 22 November to 26 November 2024 at Lucknow.
GUARDIAN OF WORLD’S TWO BILLION CHILDREN
Dr Gandhi, the founder of CMS, Guinness World record holder the largest city school in the world, felt that it was his moral responsibility to work for the rights and welfare of world’s over 2.4 billion children and generations yet-to-be-born. He, therefore, strived relentlessly to persuade the world’s political leaders and heads of national judiciaries to take up the children’s cause and to ensure that their right to inherit a safe and healthy future is protected.
HIS IS A REMARKABLE STORY IN EDUCATION
Against prevalent norms that focus on narrow nationalism, the school adopted the clarion call of ‘Jai Jagat’ – ‘Hail the World’, not ‘Jai Hind’ – ‘Hail India’, the prevalent greeting. He vowed to create through education, world citizens endowed with a global mindset who cannot imagine conflict and war, and who become, in addition, proactive agents of unity in the world. Using a multi-pronged approach and inspired by the vision to make school a lighthouse of society, Dr Gandhi started to educate not only the children but also parents and society at large. As a result, all began to witness the remarkable benefits of such a comprehensive approach on their children’s mindset. Parents began to endorse his ideas of education for unity, as he firmly believed that peace was a by-product of unity. Initially, parents would object to such programmes as the All Religions Prayer in which children recite prayers on the same platform from all scriptures, along with messages of unity of religions. Gradually, however, parents began to see these as important in today’s conflict-ridden world. Lucknow itself has seen many conflicts based on religion, for example, between Shia and Sunni Muslims and between Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims.
BUILDING BRIDGES OF PEACE BETWEEN DIFFERENT RELIGIONS AND COUNTRIES
Against this backdrop, the training provided by CMS to its children has served as the perfect antidote to the crises, the impact of which is clear over time. For example, in December 1992, following the events in Ayodhya, a city close to Lucknow, and there was violence and strife throughout India, and especially in the State of Uttar Pradesh of which Lucknow is the capital city, even with a skeletal presence of police force in Lucknow – majority of which was diverted to Ayodhya – the city of Lucknow escaped violence. As many eyewitnesses have documented, the relative peace and calm in Lucknow was credited to the enduring impact of CMS education on the people of the city and to their proactive role in conflict prevention and containment. For example, thousands of students of CMS and their parents braved the tense atmosphere in the city and went in convoys and processions singing songs of unity and carrying banners with slogans such as: “We Should Live in Unity,” “The Name of God is Both Muslim and Hindu,” “God Is One, Mankind is One,” etc., which melted the hearts of many. (European Centre for Conflict Prevention, 1999 and 2005, and Oxford Research Group, 2001).
SPIRITUAL LEADER:
A visionary and a far-sighted person, Jagdish Gandhi had been building bridges of peace across the globe for nearly 60 years. Jagdish Gandhi believed in the innate goodness of every living being. He was an educationist like no other and his approach to problems which seemed insurmountable was simple but effective. His every action was guided by a very strong sense of divinity and spirituality and hence his every effort was driven by the desire to improve oneself and realizing the presence of the Almighty. Dr Jagdish Gandhi, through his noble deeds and conduct, always demonstrated the trust he placed in people, displaying that human generosity that opens up the mind and heart and so often leads to the accomplishments of major achievements at the very frontiers of what is possible.
TALKS ON TELEVISION:
Dr Jagdish Gandhi spoke regularly on several international and national TV channels like News 18 India, Sadhana Prime News, ETV, India Voice, News India, K News, One News, India News, India Watch, Hindi Khabar, Bharat Samachar, OK India, Live Today, Munsif TV and CMS Local Channel. His spiritual talks are viewed by millions of his fans who stay glued to the television to hear him.
SPEECHES ON “SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF MODERN INSTITUTE”:
Dr Jagdish Gandhi was a guest speaker at many renowned institutions like Brahma Kumari University, Mount Abu, Symbioses Institute of Management, Pune, Kirorimal Collage, The Jubilee School by King Hussain Foundation, Jordan, Club of Lucknow, etc.
AUTHOR OF TWENTY FOUR BOOKS ON SPIRITUALITY AND WORLD PEACE:
Dr Jagdish Gandhi is the author of twenty-four books and his articles on spiritual education have been regularly featured in the prominent — weekly, fortnightly and monthly magazines and daily News Papers.
- Education for Protection and Security: This book describes the multifarious efforts of CMS is exerting every effort to ensure the Protection and Security of the world’s two billion children and generations yet-to-be-born, whose future has become progressively more unprotected and insecure during the past nearly seven decades, since the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the recent spread of international terrorism, climate change, stockpiling of weapons of mass destruction, fear of 3rd world war and Nuclear holocaust.
- Broader, Bolder Education for 21st Century: An Education Capable of Saving Humanity. Worldwide, education has been largely confined to its 19th century material ethics and goals. Not much has changed either since Lord Macaulay first wrote the Minute on Indian Education in 1835 in which education of the three R’s reigned supreme. Contemporary education today is inadequate to meet the needs and aspirations of the individual child and society in the 21st Century and the book makes the case for a broader school curriculum that encompasses material, human and spiritual education.
- The Unison of Human Soul with the Soul of God (Atma ka Paramatma se Milan): The book highlights various stages of spiritual development on the pathway of human journey. It elaborates that the true purpose of our lives is to know God and to worship Him.
- Earth is One Family (Vasudha ek Kutumbh): ): This book is based on the ancient Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam and the vision of Baha’u’llah that ‘The Earth is but One Country’. The book has several articles based on the speeches of Dr Gandhi which narrate that we are all the creation of One God and that the Earth is our united home. The book is in Hindi language.
- Meditation (Chintan): The book revolves around the philosophy that meditation is an important way to happiness.
- Education: Greatest Service (Siksha Parmo Dharma):This book highlights the fact that “Amongst the greatest of all the great services that can be possibly rendered to mankind is the education of Children”. It emphasizes that the first religion of mankind should be Education. This book emphasises the importance of education and of the school as the ‘Light House of Society‘
- Solution (Samadhan): The book revolves around the idea of how the solutions to life’s problems lie in discovering and then obeying the laws of God.
- Whole world is our family (Vishva Parivar Hamara Hai): The book revolves around the philosophy of “The Earth is but one country and mankind its citizens”. It highlights the ill’s that prevail on the planet due to diversity and division of mankind in the name of faith.
- Way to Salvation (Mukti Ka Ek Hi Marg): This book explores the idea that a virtuous and spiritual life is essential to success and salvation.
- Aim of Education (Shiksha Ka Uddeshya): This book makes the case that Meaningful Education must address all the three realities i.e. Material, Human and Divine.
- The Purpose of Life (Jeene ki Raah): The true purpose of life is to know God and love Him. This book inspires the readers to live a spiritual life.
- The Lamp of Devotion (Prabhu Bhakti Ka Deep): This book examines the idea that it is by keeping faith in God that one can truly live a purpose-driven life.
- If Not Now, then Never (Abhi Nahi Toh Kabhi Nahi): This book exhorts that the time for World Unity has now arrived and that we must act before it is too late.
- Faith in God (Ek Tera Sahara): A call to faith, this volume argues that the source of courage and power is God and it is only when we turn towards him that our true progress starts.
- Turning Towards God (Dheere Dheere Modh Tu Is Mann Ko): It is during our adversities that we remember God. The author in this book has laid the importance of problems that come in our life and how we can resolve conflicts spiritually.
- Devotion (Bhakti): This is a parenting guide that encourages father and mother to unite, stay lovingly and give values to children.
- God (Eshwar): This volume explores the tension between our own will and the will of God. It argues that we can act either by our own will or God’s will. Once we start acting as per God’s will amazing thing happen in our life.
- Real Property of Man (Manushya ki Asli Sampathi)
- We and our Children (Hum aur Hamarey Bachhe)
- Family (Parivaar)
- Education (Shiksha)
- Consciousness (Chetna)
- Flowers for Prayer (Pooja ke Phool)
- Dedication (Samarpan)
SOME RECENT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES ATTENDED:
- Participated as Special Guest of Honour at “The 5th Congress of the Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of Africa, CJCA held from 9 to 13 June 2019 in Luanda, Angola” on the invitation of Hon Mr Justice Manuel da Costa Aragao, President of the Constitutional Court of Angola.
- Participated as Special Guest of Honour at “The 3rd International African Constitutional Conference of African Constitutional Courts, Councils and Supreme Courts held from 16 to 19 February 2019 in Cairo, Egypt” on the invitation of Hon’ble Justice Dr Hanafy Aly Gebaly, Chief Justice of Supreme Constitutional Court of Egypt.
- Participated as Special Guest of Honour at the “First International Justice Conference” held from 2nd to 4th April, 2018 in Marrakesh, Morocco on the invitation of His Excellency Mohamed Auajjar, Minister of Justice of the Kingdom of Morocco.
- Participated as Chief Guest in the First State Conference of Chief Justices & Presidents of the Supreme Courts held in Khartoum, Sudan from 2nd to 4th April, 2017.
- Participated as Guest Speaker in the International Mathematics Competition, 2016 (IMC) in Thailand from 14th to 20th August, 2016
- Participated as Chief Speaker in the 19th International Convention on Students’ Quality Control Circles held in Mauritius from 19 to 23rd July, 2016. During the course of his visit, Dr Gandhi also met H.E. Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib-Fakim, GCSK, CSK, the President of Mauritius and Hon’ble Mr Anerood Jugnauth, the Prime Minister of Mauritius.
- Met the President of Mongolia, Mr Elbegdorj Tsahia and Mr Justice T.S. Zorig, Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Mongolia and addressed a seminar of jurists organised in and by the Supreme Court of Mongolia on 27th May, 2015
- Attended the 65th Annual UN-DPI Conference, ‘2015 and Beyond: Our Action Agenda’ at UN Headquarters from 27th to 29th August, 2014
- Attended and addressed the 17th International Convention of Students’ Quality Control Circles, 2014 at the Kingston University, London, UK from 23rd to 28th June, 2014.
- Attended and addressed a Seminar of the Judges of Argentina from 19th to 26th August, 2012 on the invitation of Dr Justice Ricardo Li Rosi, Judge, Court of Appeal and General Director Judicial Exchange and Studies Academy, Argentina.
- Attended and addressed the 15th International Convention of Students’ Quality Control Circles, 2012 in Mauritius from 22nd to 26th June, 2012.
- Participated in the international seminar jointly organized by Supreme Court and Istanbul Culture University on “Turkish Criminal Code and Child” from 19-23 April, 2010 at Istanbul, Turkey.
- Attended the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association Regional and Gender Conference 5-9 October, 2008 – Cape Town, South Africa.
- Attended to 9th Biennial Conference of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) 25-28 March, 2008 – Panama
- Invited as Chief Guest to the International Convention on Student Quality Control Circles in Colombo, Sri Lanka from 4th to 7th January 2007.
- Participated in the United Nations General Assembly hearings, UN Headquarters in New York in June 2005
- Invited by the United Nations to the Millennium Forum held at UN headquarters at New York from 22nd to 26th May, 2000.
- Invited by Peace direct and Keighley Foundation to tour UK (17-24 October 2004) and speak to communities in places that have witnessed racial violence in recent years.
- Presented keynote address at 5th Convention on Students Quality Control Circles (ICSQCC 2002) at Georgetown, Kentucky, USA from June 11 to 13, 2002.
- Was invited by the UNESCAP to address a U.N. Conference at Bangkok, Thailand on 20th September 2002.
- Was invited as Chief Guest in Mauritius at National Convention on Quality Circles in Education held from September 26-30, 2002.
- Was invited by the Goi Peace Foundation of Japan to address a Peace Symposium as Guest Speaker at Tokyo, Japan on 18th November 2002.
- Was invited to the International Convention on Quality Control Circles at Taiwan, Taipei.
- Participated in International Conference of International School-to-School Experience (ISSE) at San Francisco, USA 1996.
WIDELY TRAVELLED:
A widely traveled person, Dr Gandhi visited a number of countries including USA, UK, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden, Sudan, Singapore, Thailand, Norway, Mauritius, Malaysia, Lebanon, Japan, Italy, Israel, Iran, Hong Kong, Holland, Germany, Panama, France, Egypt, Denmark, South Africa, the Czech Republic, Myanmar, Belgium, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Mongolia and Afghanistan. Among the many international conferences he attended are the following: Third International Conference on Higher Education, Lancaster University, UK; the Seventh Triennial Conference of CISV at Leeds, England; the First World Conference on Gifted Children, London; International Teachers Conference, Nottingham University, UK; International Teaching Conference at Hong Kong; Cultural Conflict and Asian Community in UK at Leicester University; International Teaching Conference at Paris; Youth For Mankind Conference at Chicago, USA and International Teaching Conference at Haifa, Israel. Dr Gandhi also attended the Anthropological Congress at Chicago, USA and was interviewed for an hour by American Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Radio in California on his multifarious experiments in the field of education.
OFFICES HELD:
Chief Coordinator, Indo-Pak Children’s Pen-friends’ Club Aao Dosti Karein
Convener, International Conferences of Chief Justices of the World
Vice-President, Intellectual Forum of India, U.P. Chapter, India
Chairman, World Council for Total Quality and Excellence in Education
President, International School-to-School Experience (ISSE), U.P. Chapter, India
President, Children’s International Summer Village (CISV), India
Member, Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Founder-General Secretary, All India Children & Youth Festival
ditor, UTHO JAWANO (a Weekly to motivate youth)
Founder-Manager, Pre-Primary Teachers’ Training College, Lucknow
Founder-Manager, City Montessori School, Lucknow
President of the Lucknow University Students’ Union, U.P., India
Convened the U.P. Sarvodaya Conference at Allahabad University (India) for mobilizing the student community in favour of spiritualization of educational curriculum
Founder-Manager, Adarsh Shiksha Kendra (Adult Education Centre), Lucknow
Established Samaj Sewa Sadan (Social Service Centre) at G. S. College, Sikandra Rao, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India
Founded Social Service League at his school in Sikandra Rao, Aligarh, U.P., India
A FEW ARTICLES DR JAGDISH GANDHI HAS WRITTEN:
- Focus on Report Cards of Life
- The Power of Prayer
- Why Not Have A Universal Place of Worship?
- Religion and Duty
- Importance of Introspection
- The Role of Religion
- Followers of All Religions Should Pray Together For World Peace
- Open the Door of Inner Self!
- Education that does not guide the destiny of life is not complete
- Change of heart necessary for world peace
- God, religion and man
- Satsang-Association and Interaction on Spiritualism
- Education and God
- World Today—Concerns and Needs
- Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam
WORK OF DR JAGDISH GANDHI HAS BEEN CITED IN THE FOLLOWING INTERNATIONAL MEDIA:
- Exemplary Curriculums (USA), 8th November 1996: “The religiously diverse school has proven that teachers can instill both personal virtues and a desire to excel, and that academic excellence flows from character development. Influenced by the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, the founders wanted the City Montessori School to exemplify the principles of unity of humankind and universal brotherhood…” bold experiment in teaching values, Educational Leadership, by ASCD, 1996, USA.”
- One Country (USA), October- December 2001: “According to parents, CMS has been successful at attracting students largely for two reasons: its reputation for academic excellence and its distinctive programme of moral education. CMS’s long-standing promotion of tolerance and oneness has contributed to the overall sense of communal harmony in Lucknow… The school also strives for educational innovation. It has adopted various management practices, such as Quality Circles…” etc.
- Regeneration and Renewal (UK), 19th November 2004: “Peacemaker’s message – The world’s biggest school, headed by Jagdish Gandhi has 31,000 pupils on its books. But its work to cut inter-communal conflict is even more impressive than its size… In a city split between Muslims and Hindus, the Montessori system’s emphasis on nondenominational spirituality and the unity of mankind proved acceptable to both communities…”
- War Prevention Works (UK), September 2001: “Babri Masjid (Mosque) at Ayodhya was destroyed, spreading a wave of riots and violence throughout the city and across the country between Hindus and Muslims. City Montessori School, Lucknow, convened a series of public meetings to bring together the heads of all the religions of the city in its school buildings. CMS teachers and students took out several peace marches in sensitive areas of Lucknow and appealed directly to the people of the city to refrain from violence.”
- Exemplary Curriculums (Australia), July- September 1998: “CMS recognises that a child observes the teacher’s and parent’s every move. Likewise, teachers are not merely experts in content; they are also responsible for the emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual development of the child… CMS recognizes mothers and fathers through a system of titles and certificates to honour parents for the children’s achievements…”
- People Building Peace (The Netherlands), 1999: “The seeds of Mahatma Gandhi’s visions are being nurtured in India, where a school (CMS) that started in 1959 with five pupils has become the largest private school in the world with over 31,000 students. Today, the City Montessori School is a source of inspiration for schools all around the world.”
- Creating Peace (Japan), June 2002: “Amongst the various peace education tools used at CMS, perhaps the most widely known and seen is the CMS Peace Floats that have been, for over 25 years now, a regular feature of the annual Republic Day Parade held on 26th January every year at Lucknow, India… The Parade is watched by over one million people every year for the last 27 years, who line up along the parade route and by many more millions on the television. Each year, the design and topic of the float varies but the overall arching theme remains unity in diversity and world peace.”
- The Goi Peace Foundation (Japan), January 2003: “CMS believes that a school must act as a lighthouse to society, providing direction and guidance. Consequently, throughout its over four-decades long service in the field of education, CMS has been actively working to construct the defenses of peace in the minds of CMS students and also in the public mind. This is achieved through a vigorous use of various public education tools and peace based activities designed to promote peace and harmony.”
- An Exceptional Effort UNESCO Magazine (France), October 2002: “The City Montessori School (CMS), founded in 1959 in Lucknow in the state of Uttar Pradesh, is a school unlike any other. With 25,000 pupils from kindergarten up to high school level, it figures in the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest private school in the world, and its students systematically score higher on exams then the national average. But it also stands out because of it its philosophy: for more than 40 years it has educated students to respect the values of tolerance and peace and sought to make them citizens of world.”
- Global Vote 2009 (Sweden), 2009: “It was highly exciting to cast my vote in the Global Vote. For the first time I realised that I am not connected to my nation only but am a part of the world. There are so many silent social workers whose contributions to the deprived community are immense and beyond all praise. The WCPRC has brought me closer to the heart-touching fact that boys and girls of my age suffer piteously, either due to poverty or being under the cruel mastery of the rich. My heart yearns to pray for all the WCPRC candidates and their contributions to the rights of the child.”
- ODE Lessons in Love (USA), March 2008: “Sitting in the back seat of his car one evening, Jagdish Gandhi puts away his cell phone and places a handkerchief over his thin knee. It’s time for dinner. What’s he having? A delicious curry? No, raw onions, roughly chopped. “I rarely eat at home. No time,” he explains as he spoons onions into his mouth while his driver honks through the traffic chaos of Lucknow in northern India, home to 2.5 million people. Outside, the air stinks of exhaust and smoldering fires. Inside, tears fill our eyes as we listen to prayer texts from a cassette player. At his City Montessori School in Lucknow, India, Jagdish Gandhi teaches kids how to change the world.”
- The Chenabians Newsletter (Pakistan), October-November 2007: “It is great honour for me to present to you the “Indian Special” Newsletter. I remember well the auspicious day when an invitation letter from City Montessori Inter College (CMS) Mahanagar, Lucknow left us thrilled to bit. A brochure sent to us by CMS Lucknow turned out to be source of solving the mystery about out unknown hosts. This brochure familiarized us with CMS Lucknow- The largest school of the world with more than 32,000 students on roll in its 20 branches as mentioned in Guinness Book of World Records. City Montessori Inter College (CMS), Mahanagar, Lucknow organized its annual competition in which the students from different educational Institutions of the world participate. This year 74 schools and colleges from India and abroad had the honour of participating in this mega-event- GEOFEST. Within a very short notice, a team of students from Chenab College Jhang was prepared for the competition. On 30th October, 2007, the Chenabians led by the Principal set off for Lucknow (India). The tremendous performance of our students made them win four prizes. We are extremely proud of our students who keep adding a lustre to the name of the college by winning laureis in different competitions in and outside the country. We would like to express our unbounded gratitude to our Indian hosts for their kindness and hospitality.”
- Article Published on CMS in German Magazine (Germany), 7th May, 2006: “Gandhi in some ways resembles his namesake—the 71-year-old is slight but energetic and wears dark-rimmed glasses. He’s also carrying on Mahatma Gandhi’s work through his City Montessori School, which has more than 32,000 pupils scattered among 20 buildings throughout Lucknow. Every three to four years, Gandhi founds a new branch school, because yet again they’re bursting at the seams. Will he someday have 100,000 pupils? “Possibly,” he says. “As many as possible.” But Gandhi wants to do more than teach reading and writing: He wants to change the world.”
- Roll of Honour The Week (India), 7 November, 1999: “When Jagdish Gandhi and his wife Bharti founded the City Montessori School (CMS) with a borrowed sum of Rs 300, they could find no student. A fortnight later, a neighbors agreed to send her five children. Thus, the school opened on July 1, 1959. Today, with more than 31,000 pupils, it is world largest school as per Guinness Book of Records.”
- Research study conducted by Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Lucknow (India), March-June 2003: “This study was conducted by Mr. Nitin Agarwal (B.Tech., ITT, Delhi, 2002) and by Mr Tarun Raj (IIT, Kanpur, 1999) who were pursuing a degree in management from the world famous Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Lucknow. As a compulsory component of their work towards the degree, they had to present an innovative project. The research and quality of this project went a long way in the grade they would obtain from the Indian Institute of Manager (IIM). Their project was titled Incorporation of Moral Values and Emotional Intelligence in the Present Education System.”
- Education World The Human Development Magazine (India), August, 2007: “City Montessori School is right up there among the country’s toprated schools in terms of academic reputation (8.16) and quality of teachers (7.95), while being rated 7 plus on all other parameters to average 7.72. “While it’s an honour to be rated so high among India’s most respected schools, it’s hardly a surprise to our faculty since the quality of education provided in City Montessori is respected beyond Indian borders,” said Dr Jagdish Gandhi.”