In the city of Lucknow, the capital of India's most populous province, Uttar Pradesh, the City Montessori School (CMS) is well known both for the quality of the education it imparts to the children, the emphasis given to making children spiritually aware human beings and also for its extensive Peace Education programme. Efforts of CMS in this regards have been recognised by UNESCO, an organ of UNO, by awarding CMS the UNESCO Prize for Peace Education 2002 in recognition of its efforts to promote the universal values of education for peace and tolerance and to renew the principles of secularism at a time when there values and principles are increasingly being challenged. 

Established in 1959 on a borrowed capital of Rs 300 (then about US $ 40) by a young and dedicated couple — Jagdish and Bharti Gandhi — the school began with only five students on roll. Mr and Mrs Gandhi were greatly influenced by the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, and actively worked for spiritualizing education and for social reforms campaigning against social evils. 

Mr and Mrs Gandhi were deeply committed to the spiritual upliftment of humankind and to promoting the ideals of world unity and world peace. The founders believed that education alone could help people find solutions to individual and community problems. Young, idealistic and enthusiastic, they took upon themselves the onerous task of educating children and raising a new generation of spiritually aware world citizens so as to bring lasting world peace. Consequently, the first words inscribed on the slates of the first five CMS students on the first day of their school were 'Jai Jagat' or 'Glory be to the World.' This slogan, first coined by Mahatama Gandhi and later propounded by his disciple Saint Vinoba Bhave, was adopted by the Gandhis as the School motto and has since become the greeting call with which CMS students and teachers greet each other to this date.

The Gandhis remain the moving spirit behind CMS activities and their commitment to educating the public on the virtues developing spiritual awareness, unity and peace is reflected in the numerous public education campaigns that the school supports and organizes every year.

CMS believes that a school must act as a lighthouse to society, providing direction and guidance to students, parents and the society at large. Consequently, throughout its over four decades of distinguished service in the field of education, CMS has been actively working to promoting spiritual awareness and constructing the defences of peace in the minds of CMS students and also in the public at large. This is achieved through a vigorous use of spiritual education education tools and peace-based activities designed to promote spiritual awareness, peace and harmony. 

As a result of its extensive peace education programme and the numerous international events organized by it, CMS is well known across the country and both the Institution as well as its founders — Mr and Mrs Gandhi, have been honoured with numerous national and international awards for their contribution to peace and education. (click here for details)