We are not focused only on academic grades -our vision is to offer an enabling environment where the children are encouraged and inspired to learn together to rediscover themselves the essence that make them transformational and empathetic -collaboration, reflection and exploration being the Mantras. In today’s world creating this environment is not that easy. We have, therefore, developed a team which is committed to and capable of fostering the above. Our academic team is led by a psychologist with proven record of mentoring school and university students. We have members with exposure to highest portals of learning in science and technology and others who have long standing experience of teaching and research in pedagogical science. Besides the teachers, we have a panel of experts offering special inputs in different areas-science technology, art and culture, policy and climate sciences. The academic structure offers freedom to the teachers to evolve suitable classes, programs and pedagogies. We have divided specific verticals each led by a designated teacher to pursue various subjects and themes.

The Torch Bearer : Mr. Pradeep Kumar Mishra, his wife Monika Dutt Mishra and Dr. D.P. Pandey had great influence of Manava Bharati (in Mussoorie & Dehradun). They were keen to have the approach adopted and experimented with. Having resigned from a public sector and MNC jobs, Pradeep Mishra wished to do something meaningful and different from a comfortable routine job. The couple decided to establish a public school in Khagaul (where they lived) and Buxar, their native place. Foundation Schools were established in Khagaul and Buxar -in the years (1997) and (2008) respectively. The two schools cater to the needs of local communities with the ideals of Manava Bharati at the heart of the founders. Dr. D.P. Pandey and his child centric approach kept reminding them consistently. Dr. Himanshu Shekhar, a family friend of the couple and an educationist, had already been pursuing D.P. Pandey’s ideals in schools, he established at Dehradun and was always available for support to the couple in their earnest bid to establish a center of excellence in child centric education. Himanshu kept sharing his learnings from Dr. D.P. Pandey and Manava Bharati and encouraged them to try and pursue similar perspectives.

Success of the Foundation Schools, ideals of Guru Ravindra Nath Tagore and Dr. D.P. Pandey and Child centric approach proving a game changer at the two schools they had established, let the couple to establish Manava Bharati International School (MBIS), at Patna. Plans began in 2016 and MBIS, Patna was established in the year 2018. MBIS is a tribute to Guru Ravindra Nath and Dr. D.P Pandey and is dedicated to their vision of child centric, perspectives-‘The Child at Center’. Manava Bharati International School is a public Senior Secondary school affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), New Delhi.

“Reminiscences and a shared vision …”
First, I met Babu Ji (Dr. D.P. Pandey) during a chance visit to Mussoorie and Manava Bharati in early seventies. Was hesitant to interact but soon found myself nearer to him – don’t know how it all happened. Sensing my hesitation and lack of words Babu ji encouraged education. None of my letters ever went unanswered and there I realized the essence of greatness and generosity in Babu ji . He was showing interest in the subjects I shared from the villages of Bihar where I worked with. He started sharing issues on and invited me to the prayers, discussions and walk throughs. The feeling, for me was ecstatic and humbling. With a sense of great accomplishment I returned back to Patna and kept communicating with him touching upon various subjects centred around institution building and his thoughts on education as a transformational intervention in building of an inclusive and creative society. It was enchanting to hear from him his experiences of Shanti Niketan and his time with Guru Ravindra Nath Tagore. With no opportunity of any exposure to the outside world, I felt better informed and accomplished. The most important aspect of Babu Ji’s persona was his humility and attention he would pay to anything one can bring for discussion.

The last string of discussions, before his sad demise, included exploring possibilities of visiting Bihar and initiating child centric educational activities as an institutional intervention.

When I learned that Pradeep and his wife Monika have established Manava Bharati International School (MBIS), Patna I had great feeling. Association of Dr. Himashu Shekhar, in the pursuit, was encouraging and reassuring. I felt the vision and hope of Babu Ji getting re-kindled through MBIS. I was not sure, however, about which way things would turn. I first visited MBIS during an event and was impressed to see the ambience and infrastructure, especially the architecture. My interaction with Pradeep and Mona was positive which continued and extended to many more sessions with the students and the teachers. We decided to plan a visit of the children and the teachers to the Anghyela Hills where Babuji’s dream school was located. We could observe the children and the teachers enjoying the serene environment and exploring and inspiring setting. I, too, kept contemplating! What an inspiration and impact the visit seemed to have spelt! A stray incidence taught me lessons to remember. The incident resonated what Babu ji might have cherished!.