About Us :: New Era High School

History

History: 1945-1971

A brave and dedicated band of Baha’is in Panchgani suggested to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of India and Burma that a Baha’i School should be established in their hill resort town. There were well-recognized Hindu, Christian, Islamic and Zoroastrian boarding schools and the name of Panchgani was synonymous with residential schools.

Once the National Spiritual Assembly decided to establish a children’s hostel, these friends put in their heart and soul to make it a reality. The National Assembly looked for someone to manage the hostel and impart moral training to the children and asked Mrs. Rezwan Mobedzadeh, then living in Poona, to settle in Panchgani to undertake this pioneering responsibility.

Two other ladies, Mrs. Salisa Kermani and Mrs. Manavi joined her and the Parvarishgah (children’s hostel) was inaugurated on 1st August, 1945 with sixteen children between the ages of four and eight. It did not matter that it was begun in a small rented house, or that it was only a hostel with a small number of children. It was a proud moment and all of them helped in many ways. The National Assembly sent a telegram to the Beloved Guardian on the same day and he replied through his Persian secretary that he would “specially pray for the growth and progress of the Baha’i Children's Hostel so that it may become perfect and distinguished in every respect.”

The present school site was bought in 1953 and consisted of five buildings-Clifton, Deerham, Fernwood, Hollywood and Hillwood. These buildings were repaired and renovated, trees and gardens laid out and dormitories built.

The move from Manivilla to Woodland established New Era on a permanent footing in our own property. Mrs. P. Sumption joined the school as Headmistress and developed the Primary Section and government recognition was accorded in 1954. The Secondary School was registered in 1958 and in the following year the first batch of school certificate candidates was sent up for the external examination.

As the school expanded, the need for more staff drew the services of Mr. Habib Behi from Poona and Mr. & Mrs. Sheriar Nuriyazdan from Bombay. Later Mr. George Menezes joined the school. The devoted and selfless services of individuals such as these gave a special character to the institution and fulfilled the unique needs of growth.

Another outstanding personality who helped the onward march of the school was Mrs. Gloria Faizi who served as director for six months in 1959 and it was through her special efforts that much needed financial contributions were received. The classroom block was built through the munificent support of Mr. Mithaqiyyih, the Baha’i philanthropist of Tehran, Iran. A number of Headmistresses served for short periods before Dr. Sidney Dean, the first Baha’i Principal, was appointed in 1964.

Their devoted services are gratefully remembered. Dr. Dean was succeeded by Professor Premnath Rai. During this period Mr. & Mrs. Azizullah Ghalilee and Mr. & Mrs. Graham Waterman rendered able administrative assistance. Prof. Rai was followed by Mr. Kashyap as acting Principal and the school had progressed to a stage when a transition could be made for a qualitatively significant change and growth.

History

Rezwan Khanum Mobedzadeh
Letter from The Universal House Of Justice
1945 - 1971
1971 - 1982
1982 - 1998
1998 - 2003

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