Mrs. Bharti Gandhi
Mrs. Bharti Gandhi's name has become synonymous with City Montessori Schools and the CMS Teachers' Training College in Lucknow. Her sincere devotion towards the education of children, training of teachers, upliftment of women and eradication of social evils, is widely recognized and acknowledged in educational circles.
Mrs. Gandhi was born on 8th August, 1936 at Anupshahar in the Bulandashahar district of U.P. into an educated and enlightened family. She received her early schooling at Bulandshahar. Mrs. Gandhi completed her B.A., L.T., M.Ed. and Diploma of Guidance Psychologist Examination. The spirit of social service was imbibed in her during her childhood under the benevolent guidance of Sant Vidya Vivek Ji.
To propagate her ideals Mrs. Gandhi began a battle against social injustice and soon came to be associated with several social, cultural and women's welfare activities. In 1959 Mrs. Bharti Gandhi along with her husband Mr. Jagdish Gandhi laid the foundation of City Montessori School, which is a registered body and under the aegis of which all their activities - social, educational and cultural - are carried on. Mrs. Gandhi worked as a psychologist in the U.P. Government at the Regional Psychology Centre at Lucknow in the years 1957-59. She worked as a lecturer in the Khun Khun Ji Girls Degree College, Lucknow in 1960-61, and was the Principal of Adarsh Shiksha Kendra Intermediate College, Lucknow in 1961-62. In 1962 Mrs. Gandhi convened an All-India Anti-Dowry Conference. She also led a band of selfless women workers to picket liquor shops and explained to alcoholics the evils of drinking. She convened the U.P. State Prohibition Conference- the first of its kind - in September 1965, which was inaugurated by Mr. Moraji Desai who later became the Prime Minister of India. Her devotion to the cause of women's welfare is truly great. In 1965 Mrs. Gandhi organised a Women Workers' Conference at Anand Bhawan in Allahabad. This Conference was addressed by Sant Vinoba Bhave. Other issues which are of great interest to Mrs. Gandhi are-Adult Education and National Integration. She convened children and Youth Festivals and Conferences to promote National Integration. Mrs. Gandhi has been organising scouts and girl-guide camps and rallies to encourage children in adventure, vitality, discipline and the spirit of service. Her recognition of science as an important discipline led her to initiate and promote children's "Science Fairs" during their summer vacations for many years.
To enrich herself with the culture of the world and to learn different teaching methods, Mrs. Gandhi has visited several countries, namely, Germany, Holand, France, U.S.S.R., U.S.A., England, Afganistan, Hongkong, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Burma, Israel and Iran. She is a life member of Children's International Summer Villages, England. Mrs. Gandhi has been organising International School-to-School Exchange programmes between her own institutions, the City Montessori Schools and schools in Australia, England, Mexico and Japan. In 1974, Mrs. Gandhi embraced the Baha'i Faith, an independent world religion which teaches the oneness of God, oneness of religion and unity of mankind. She is currently a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha's of India. Mrs. Bharti Gandhi's life has been dedicated to the service of children and to women's welfare and she continues this task undeterred by any obstacles. She is also a member of Rotary International Club, Lucknow.