Modern School (New Delhi)

2021-05-31T12:04:03Z

119.82.95.133: /* Alumni */Added content

{{More citations needed|date=April 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox school
| name = Modern School, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi
| image = Modern School, Delhi.jpg
| caption =
| motto = Self-realization cannot be achieved by weak willed.
| address = Barakhamba Road
| city = [[New Delhi]]
| state = Delhi
| postalcode = 110 001
| country = India
| coordinates = {{Coord|28.6283|77.2295|format=dms|type:edu_region:IN-DL|display=inline,title}}
| type = [[Private school|Private]]
| established = {{Start date|1920}}
| founder = Lala Raghubir Singh
| school_board = [[Central Board of Secondary Education]]
| principal = Dr Vijay Datta
| faculty = 130
| enrolment = 2560
| gender = [[Co-educational]]
| lower_age = 10
| upper_age = 18
| sister_school = Modern School Vasant Vihar, Modern School Kundli and Modern School, Faridabad
| houses = 15
| colours = Blue Grey {{Color box|#6699cc}}
| publication = Sandesh and The Modern School Chronicles (now known as The Red Brick Times)
| campus_type = Urban.
| campus_size = {{Convert|27|acre|m2}}
| student_union_label = Alumni association
| student_union = [[#Modern School Old Students' Association|Modern School Old Students' Association]]
| affiliation =
| alumni = Modernites
| website = {{URL|modernschool.net}}
}}

'''Modern School''' is a co-educational, private school in [[New Delhi]], India. It was founded in 1920 by Lala Raghubir Singh, a prominent Delhi-based businessman and philanthropist, who desired an institution that combined the "best of ancient Indian tradition with the needs of the times."<ref>{{cite book|title=A Dream Turns Seventy-Five: The Modern School, 2016 - 2019 |author=Singh, Khushwant|publisher=Allied Publishers Pvt. Ltd.|year=2016|isbn=978-8170234999|location=New Delhi, India|pages=5}}</ref> It was the first private and coeducational school established in Delhi after the capital of the [[British Raj]] shifted to the city.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Truth, Love and a Little Malice|last=Singh|first=Khushwant|publisher=Penguin Books|year=2002|isbn=978-0143029571|location=New Delhi, India|pages=14}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=A Dream Turns Seventy Five: Modern School, 1920-1995|author=Singh, Khushwant|publisher=Allied Publishers Ltd.|year=1995|isbn=978-8170234999|location=New Delhi, India|pages=8}}</ref>

The school's first principal, Kamala Bose, was a vigorous advocate of educational reform in India.<ref>{{cite book|title=A Dream Turns Seventy Five: The Modern School, 1920-1995|author=Bose, Kamala|publisher=Allied Publishers Pvt. Ltd.|year=1997|isbn=978-8170234999|location=New Delhi, India|pages=42}}</ref> Her founding vision, coupled with Lala Raghubir Singh's nationalist leanings, gave the school a liberal and indigenous character that stood in contrast to colonially-inspired [[Public school (United Kingdom)|public schools]], which were intended for Indian aristocracy.<ref>{{cite book|title=Truth, Love, and a Little Malice: An Autobiography|author=Singh, Khushwant|publisher=Penguin Books|year=2002|isbn=978-0143029571|location=New Delhi, India|pages=13}}</ref> The school motto is "''Nyaymatma Balheenien Labhya''," which translates to "Self-realization cannot be achieved by the weak".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://rsjms.com/v2/?page_id=1220|title=Ethos|publisher=Raghubir Singh Junior Modern School|access-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623112929/http://rsjms.com/v2/?page_id=1220|archive-date=23 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.modernschool.net/history-crest.html|title=The Crest|website=Modern School|publisher=Modern School|access-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623085112/http://www.modernschool.net/history-crest.html|archive-date=23 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Modern School enrolls about 2,500 pupils, most admitted directly from its junior branch, the Raghubir Singh Junior Modern School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.modernschool.net/administration-admission.html|title=Admission & Fees|access-date=4 September 2015|publisher=Modern School|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918031506/http://www.modernschool.net/administration-admission.html|archive-date=18 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Students write the [[Central Board of Secondary Education]] examinations in the tenth grade, and the [[All India Senior School Certificate Examination]](AISSCE) in the twelfth grade.<ref name="Affiliation">{{cite web|url=http://www.modernschool.net/academics-affiliation.html|title=Affiliation|access-date=23 June 2018|publisher=Modern School|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623085113/http://www.modernschool.net/academics-affiliation.html|archive-date=23 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Modern School, Barakhamba Road is consistently ranked well among Indian schools.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/top-ten-schools-of-central-delhi/story-CMrmeAL09u4WqDEFTjz0nO.html|title=Top Ten schools of central Delhi|work=[[The Hindustan Times]]|access-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623112929/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/top-ten-schools-of-central-delhi/story-CMrmeAL09u4WqDEFTjz0nO.html|archive-date=23 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesschoolsurvey.com|title=The Times School Survey|access-date=2 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913012826/http://www.timesschoolsurvey.com/|archive-date=13 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://educationworld.in/Magazine/EWIssueSection.aspx?Issue=September_2014&Section=Cover_Story&Article=EducationWorld_India_School_Rankings_2014|title=EducationWorld India School Rankings 2014|publisher=Education World|access-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623112810/http://educationworld.in/Magazine/EWIssueSection.aspx?Issue=September_2014&Section=Cover_Story&Article=EducationWorld_India_School_Rankings_2014|archive-date=23 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/list-of-top-10-day-schools-in-india-2014-233628-2014-12-31|title=List of top 10 day schools in India in 2014|work=[[India Today]]|date=31 December 2014|access-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623085104/https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/list-of-top-10-day-schools-in-india-2014-233628-2014-12-31|archive-date=23 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=EW India School Rankings 2019-20|url=https://www.educationworld.in/school-ranking/|website=EducationWorld|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424191003/https://www.educationworld.in/school-ranking/|archive-date=24 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The primary branch attended by students through Grade 5 – Raghubir Singh Junior Modern School – was established in 1961 on a separate campus on Humayun Road, New Delhi. Although primarily a coeducational [[day school]], the school provides campus housing for boys.

Alumni, commonly known as ''Modernites,'' include some of India's most prominent politicians, government officials, and business leaders.

==History==

===Origins===
The founder, Lala Raghubir Singh, was an established businessman and philanthropist from the [[Sikh]] [[Khatri]] community. His father, Sardar Sultan Singh, an accountant and banker (''khazanchi'') with the [[Imperial Bank of India]], was well-regarded by both the British and the Indian aristocracy. To fulfill his son's dream of establishing a school that would combine Indian tradition with modern educational techniques, Sultan Singh bequeathed his mansion in [[Daryaganj]], [[New Delhi]] to the school. The first classes started there in 1920.{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}

Lala Raghubir Singh went on to partner with Sardar [[Sobha Singh (builder)|Sobha Singh]], the developer charged with the construction of Delhi landmarks including [[Connaught Place, New Delhi|Connaught Place]], [[National Museum, New Delhi|National Museum]], [[South Block]] and [[India Gate]], to develop a new campus. In 1932, the year after the construction of [[Lutyens' Delhi]] was completed, the school came to occupy its current {{convert|27|acre|m2|adj=on}} campus in the city center.

A sister school, Modern School, Vasant Vihar, was established in [[South Delhi]] in 1975.<ref>{{cite web|title=India's best schools|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article/indias-best-schools/218344|work=Outlook India|access-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131120334/http://www.outlookindia.com/article/indias-best-schools/218344|archive-date=31 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Three additional [[National Capital Region (India)|National Capital Region]] campuses have since been established in [[Kundli, Haryana]], [[Faridabad|Faridabad, Haryana]], and [[Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh]].

===Principals===
Reflecting its founder's pan-India vision, Kamala Bose, the school's first principal, was recruited from [[Calcutta]] (now Kolkata). Bose championed the need for better educational facilities in a country shaking off its colonial yoke, noting, "If the education imparted to the people has been seriously lacking in quantity, it has been still more sadly wanting in quality."<ref>{{Cite book|title=A Dream Turns Seventy-Five|last=Bose|first=Kamala|publisher=Allied Publishers|year=1995|location=New Delhi}}</ref>

Modern School's longest-serving principal, Mr. [[M. N. Kapur]], was a mentor to generations of students. In 1969 he was awarded one of India's highest civilian honors, the [[Padma Shri]].
{| class=wikitable
|Kamala Bose, 1920–1947
|-
|M.N. Kapur, 1947–1977
|-
|Mr. Choudhary, 1977–1982
|-
|S.P. Bakshi, 1977–1996
|-
|R.K. Bhatia, 1996–2000
|-
|Lata Vaidyanathan, 2000–2014
|-
|Dr Vijay Datta, 2014–present
|}

===The Crest===
Designed by the artist Sarada Ukil, a teacher at Modern School in the 1920s,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chitralekha.org/articles/sarada-ukil/sarada-ukil-profile-pioneer|title=Sarada Ukil: Profile of a Pioneer|access-date=23 June 2018|website=Mukul Dey Archives|publisher=Mukul Dey Archives|author=Ukil, Satyasri|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623112836/http://www.chitralekha.org/articles/sarada-ukil/sarada-ukil-profile-pioneer|archive-date=23 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> the school crest signifies the circle of eternity crossed by the three elements in human development: body, mind and spirit, as the sun shines between the triangle and the circle. Inside the triangle, there is a [[banyan]] tree to represent stability and firmness of character, the swan and the lotus represent refinement, culture, and the arts which are fundamental elements of progress in life.

==Campus==
[[File:Indian schoolgirls.jpg|thumb|Modern School students at campus]]
The school occupies a single campus covering approximately twenty-five acres and is flanked by Maharaja Ranjit Singh Marg and Barakhamba Road in central [[New Delhi]]. To house the school at its present location, Lala Raghubir Singh made an application with the government for a suitable site on 28 April 1921. In response to the application, the government allocated fifty acres of land in the [[Delhi Cantonment]] for the purposes of the school. Due to its location in [[Old Delhi]], the Cantonment was deemed far from the centre of the new city (at the time being constructed by [[Edwin Lutyens]] and [[Herbert Baker]]). Thus, after a second round of negotiations a 27-acre site was allotted to provide accommodation for 200 resident boys with staff quarters and ample play-fields.

The Main Building was designed by C.G. and F.B. Blomfield, architects on the team designing the [[Lutyens' Delhi|imperial capital of New Delhi]]. The white and red aesthetic of the Edwardian Classical building at Modern School resembles many [[Delhi]] structures of the period, such as [[Convent of Jesus and Mary, Delhi|Convent of Jesus and Mary]], [[St. Columba's School, Delhi|St. Columba's School]], [[Sacred Heart Cathedral, New Delhi|Sacred Heart Cathedral]] (designed by [[Henry Medd]]), Flagstaff House (now [[Teen Murti Bhavan]]), and [[Lady Irwin School]]. It is now classified as a heritage structure exemplifying British colonial architecture.

===Golden Jubilee Hostel===
The school has a student dormitory capable of housing 90 boys.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.modernschool.net/|title=Modern School|publisher=Modern School|access-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623085112/http://www.modernschool.net/|archive-date=23 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Houses ===
In keeping with its nationalist origins, the school's [[house system]] honours significant figures in the history of India, namely [[Akbar]], [[Ashoka]], [[Abul Kalam Azad|Azad]], [[Gandhi]], [[Lala Lajpat Rai|Lajpat]], [[Laxmibai]], [[Nehru]], [[Sardar Patel|Patel]], [[Maharana Pratap|Pratap]], [[Ranjit Singh|Ranjit]], [[Lal Bahadur Shastri|Shastri]], [[Shivaji]], [[Subhas Chandra Bose|Subhas]], [[Tagore]], and [[Bal Gangadhar Tilak|Tilak]].

==School Activities==

===Sports===
Sports are an integral part of the school curriculum. The school has two large playing grounds, the Main Ground and the Cricket Field. Hockey, [[cricket]], athletics, [[basketball]], and [[association football]] are played throughout the school year. [[Tennis]], [[table tennis]], [[badminton]], squash, and swimming are also available.
Sport is dominated by Association Football or Soccer, Cricket, basketball, hockey, in which the schools competes nationally, at the state-level and Inter-school. Inter-house competitions stopped happening without ay explanation. Sports facilities include an [[Olympic Games|Olympic]]-size swimming pool, six [[Clay court|clay]] tennis courts, three squash courts, an indoor and two outdoor basketball courts, facilities for indoor badminton and table tennis, two cricket pitches, two fields for hockey and football (which can be converted to cricket pitches to accommodate seasonal sports), and an athletic track.

===Clubs and Societies===
Extracurricular activities are a compulsory element of school life at Modern. The school magazine, ''Sandesh'', is published each school term in English and Hindi (its sister publications include the ''Vasant Prayag'' at Modern School, [[Vasant Vihar, Delhi|Vasant Vihar]], and ''Prayas'' at Modern School, Kundli). There are around twenty clubs and societies, including photography, aero-modelling, drama, painting, sculpture, community service, carpentry, Dance, music, senior and junior English debating societies, economics, astronomy,<ref>{{cite web|title=Modern School Astronomy Club|url=http://www.modernschool.net/beyond-curriculum-astronomy-club.html|publisher=Modern School|access-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623085047/http://www.modernschool.net/beyond-curriculum-astronomy-club.html|archive-date=23 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> computer science, physics,<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Modern School: Physics Club|url=http://www.modernschool.net/beyond-curriculum-physics-club.html|publisher=Modern School|access-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622220358/http://www.modernschool.net/beyond-curriculum-physics-club.html|archive-date=22 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and robotics. In many societies pupils come together to discuss a particular topic, presided over by a faculty member and often including a guest speaker. The school has often invited prominent figures to give speeches and talks to the students; these have included heads of state, politicians, ornithologists, naturalists, artists, writers, economists, diplomats, and industrialists. The Modern School Leadership lecture series invites prominent alumni to address the school assembly twice every school year. Major clubs include The Lenskraft Photography Club, Model UN Society,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.modernschool.net/beyond-curriculum-mun-society.html|title=Modern-School|publisher=Modern School|access-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623085108/http://www.modernschool.net/beyond-curriculum-mun-society.html|archive-date=23 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Environment Club,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.modernschool.net/beyond-curriculum-environment-club.html|title=MUN Society|publisher=Modern School|access-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623085108/http://www.modernschool.net/beyond-curriculum-environment-club.html|archive-date=23 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Bits 'N' Bytes (The computer club), Debating Society, [[Rotary International|Interact Club]], [[SPIC MACAY]], Mudra Dance Club, SAPTAK<ref>{{cite web|title=SAPTAK at Modern School|url=http://modernschool.net/beyond-curriculum-clubs-societies-vocal-music-society.asp|publisher=Modern School|access-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426105132/http://www.modernschool.net/beyond-curriculum-clubs-societies-vocal-music-society.asp|archive-date=26 April 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the Commerce Society.

Modern School is also a leading member of the [[Model United Nations]] and its biennial ModMUN conference is one of the biggest in [[Asia]]<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://www.modmun.org/about.html|title=ModMUN 2015|website=ModMUN|publisher=ModMUN|access-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515021012/http://modmun.org/about.html|archive-date=15 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> attracting as many as 900 international students for the 2016 conference.<ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=http://www.modernschool.net/news-&-events.html|title=Mod MUN|website=ModMUN 2015|publisher=ModMUN 2015|access-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623085113/http://www.modernschool.net/news-%26-events.html|archive-date=23 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to its size, prestige, and popularity, it is considered the largest student organized MUN in [[India]]. Bits 'N' Bytes is one of the oldest school societies dating back to 1988. It organizes ACCESS, an annual tech symposium, in the month of December. In 2013, the society won the [[TCS IT Wiz]] and simultaneously celebrated its Silver Jubilee.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bits 'N' Bytes|url=http://modernschool.net/access|access-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625225708/http://modernschool.net/access/|archive-date=25 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The Debating Society is very active during the school year, as it hosts the Raghubir Singh Inter-school Debate, the Pratap Singh Inter-school Debate, and usually helps organize the Annual MSOSA Inter-school Debate.<ref>{{cite web|title=Modern School Debating Society|url=http://www.modernschool.net/beyond-curriculum-debating-society.html|access-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623085043/http://www.modernschool.net/beyond-curriculum-debating-society.html|archive-date=23 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Interact Club (affiliate club of Rotary International's service club for students between the age of 12–18) was inaugurated in 1983 by the then vice-president of India, [[Mohammad Hidayatullah|Muhammad Hidayat Ullah]], and has since grown into a prominent school society. Its activities include donations to orphanages, recycling drives, ant-piracy drives, and an annual blood donation camp. The club has been awarded a certificate in recognition of its services to the community by [[Chief Minister of Delhi]], [[Sheila Dikshit]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Interact Club of Modern School|url=http://www.modernschool.net/beyond-curriculum-interact-club.html|access-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623085111/http://www.modernschool.net/beyond-curriculum-interact-club.html|archive-date=23 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Interact Club nominates some of its students to be selected by Rotary International for its international program to represent [[India]] as ambassador of goodwill to neighboring countries such as [[Pakistan]] and [[Sri Lanka]]. The selected students stay as guests with families who participate in this international youth exchange program. SPIC MACAY, a national society for the promotion of Indian classical music and culture amongst youth, organizes a SPIC MACAY week every school term.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://modernschool.net/spicmacay-rep.pdf|title=SPIC MACAY Week 2014|access-date=23 June 2018|publisher=Modern School|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217191926/http://modernschool.net/spicmacay-rep.pdf|archive-date=17 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Past performers include [[Shivkumar Sharma|Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma]], [[Bismillah Khan|Ustad Bismillah Khan]], [[Sonal Mansingh]], [[Sitara Devi]], [[Amjad Ali Khan|Ustad Amjad Ali Khan]], [[Hariprasad Chaurasia|Hari Prasad Chaurasia]], and [[Birju Maharaj]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.modernschool.net/beyond-curriculum-spic-macay.html|title=SPIC MACAY|access-date=23 June 2018|publisher=Modern School|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623112809/http://www.modernschool.net/beyond-curriculum-spic-macay.html|archive-date=23 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~spicmac/spicmacay/About_SPICMACAY.html|title=SPIC MACAY At Berkeley|access-date=23 June 2018|publisher=University of California, Berkeley|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140217104713/http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~spicmac/spicmacay/About_SPICMACAY.html|archive-date=17 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Other events organized include ''Cyclotron'' (the annual inter-school physics symposium) and ''Unquestionably Modern'' (an annual quiz competition).

===Modern School MUN===
Modern School revolutionised the concept of Model UN when the Model UN Society hosted its first conference in October 2011. Breaking all conventions, ModMUN 2011 which attracted over 100 international students from the world over, it went on to become not only the biggest MUN in Asia, but also one of great prestige. The following year ModMUN 2012 came back better than ever building on the success of ModMUN 2011, in 2013, ModMUN preceded their expectations achieving almost 900 students from around the globe. Modern School is also a leading member of the [[Model United Nations]] and its annual ModMUN conference is one of the biggest in Asia<ref name=":1"/> attracting as many as 1000 international students for the 2016 conference.<ref name=":2"/> Due to its size, prestige, and popularity, it is considered the largest student organized MUN in [[India]].

Parallel to the successes of the conferences, the society which hosts it has also redefined the arena of Model UN. Since its inception, the Model UN Society of Modern School, Barakhamba road has gone on to make its presence felt in the most prestigious of conferences in the city, the country, and the world.

===School Magazine===
The school takes out three publications, namely Sandesh, a biennial magazine, Red Brick Times, a monthly feature and the Chronicle, a weekly publication which encapsulates the events and achievements of the school and the students.

===Theatre, Music and Dance===
The school houses large venues for indoor productions; the Sir Shankar Lal Auditorium, the HLL (Hindustan Lever Limited) Auditorium and the M.N. Kapur Hall (formerly the gymnasium). The Amphitheatre adjoining the historic Banyan tree is used for common musical evenings, etc.

==Traditions and Lore==
Like any established institution, Modern School has its fair share of traditions. For instance, during his tenure, Principal M.N. Kapur insisted all students sit cross legged on [[Dhurrie|durries]] during morning assembly, a tradition that continues to this day.

Drawing upon the long relationship between Modern School and [[St. Stephen's College, Delhi|St. Stephen's College]], the Rudra Prize, established in 1928, honours [[S. K. Rudra|S.K. Rudra]], the first Indian principal of [[St. Stephen's College, Delhi|St. Stephen's College]] and one of the founding members of the school.

==Affiliations==

===Ties with other schools===
From its foundation in 1920, Modern School housed classes from Montessori to Grade 12. This ended in 1961 when Raghubir Singh Junior Modern School was established on Humayun Road as the school's primary wing. In 1975, Modern School, Vasant Vihar was founded as the first sister school under the leadership of Mr. Ved Vyas, a well regarded<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/ved-vyas-first-principal-of-modern-school-vasant-vihar-passes-away/|title=First Principal of Modern School, Vasant Vihar Passes Away|location=New Delhi, India|date=4 June 2015|access-date=23 June 2018|work=The Indian Express|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623085110/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/ved-vyas-first-principal-of-modern-school-vasant-vihar-passes-away/|archive-date=23 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.knowledgified.com/indiannews-nationaltabloid/founder-mentor-and-inspirer-mr-ved-vyas-passes-away/|title=Founder Mentor Mourned|date=4 June 2015|access-date=4 September 2015|publisher=Knowledgefied|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304080318/http://www.knowledgified.com/indiannews-nationaltabloid/founder-mentor-and-inspirer-mr-ved-vyas-passes-away/|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Hindi teacher at Modern School, Barakhamba Road. Similarly, in 2014, another sister school was established in Kundli under the directorship of Mrs. Neelam Puri,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://modernschoolec.com/director-message/|title=Director's Message|access-date=23 June 2018|website=Modern School, ECNCR|publisher=Modern School, ECNCR|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909015305/http://modernschoolec.com/director-message/|archive-date=9 September 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> a former junior headmistress at Modern School, Barakhamba Road. In its early years the school also shared a close relationship with [[St. Stephen's College, Delhi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ase.tufts.edu/chemistry/kumar/ssc/html/sschis.html|title=History of St. Stephen's College|access-date=23 June 2018|publisher=Tufts University|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307003745/http://ase.tufts.edu/chemistry/kumar/ssc/html/sschis.html|archive-date=7 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

The school has exchange programs with a number of overseas schools. As of September 2012, a small number of Modern School students were attending [[Brisbane Grammar School]], [[Australia]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.brisbanegrammar.com/Enrolments/Prospectus/Documents/BGS%20Prospectus.pdf|title=Brisbane Grammar School Prospectus|access-date=23 June 2018|publisher=Brisbane Grammar School|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623112809/https://www.brisbanegrammar.com/Enrolments/Prospectus/Documents/BGS%20Prospectus.pdf|archive-date=23 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>[[Malay College Kuala Kangsar|Malay College]], [[Malaysia]]; [[St. George's Girls' School (Penang, Malaysia)|St. George's Girls' School]], [[Malaysia]]; [[Clifton School (South Africa)|Clifton School]], South Africa; and [[Peddie School]], [[New Jersey]], [[United States]]. Other schools include [[The Second High School Attached to Beijing Normal University]] and New Oriental School of Foreign Languages in [[China]], [[:de:Liebigschule Gießen|Liebigschule Gießen]] in [[Germany]], [[Philippine Science High School Main Campus|Philippine Science High School]] in [[Philippines|The Philippines]], SMA Negari 4 Denser School in [[Indonesia]], Chua Chu Kang Secondary School in [[Singapore]], and [[Dominion High School]] in [[Virginia]], [[United States]]. Since 2010, Modern has twinned with Chua Chu Kang Secondary School, Singapore under the Twinning Program. It is also a part of ISA, UKIERI, and Australia India Collaboration.<ref name="Exchange Programs">{{cite web|title=Exchange Programs|url=http://www.modernschool.net/international-programme-exchange-programs.html|publisher=Modern School|access-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623085110/http://www.modernschool.net/international-programme-exchange-programs.html|archive-date=23 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Modern also collaborates with [[Collegiate School (Richmond, Virginia)|The Collegiate School, Richmond]], [[Virginia]], in organizing the [[Community Development & Leadership Summit|Community Development and Leadership Summit]]<ref name="Partners & Connections">{{cite web|title=Partners & Connections|url=http://www.collegiate-va.org/Page/Upper-School/Global-Education/Partners--Connections|publisher=The Collegiate School|access-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908014442/http://www.collegiate-va.org/Page/Upper-School/Global-Education/Partners--Connections|archive-date=8 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the International Emerging Leaders Conference.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collegiateemergingleaders.org/info.html|title=International Emerging Leaders Conference at The Collegiate School|access-date=23 June 2018|publisher=The Collegiate School|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815110321/http://collegiateemergingleaders.org/info.html|archive-date=15 August 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Schools with similar names===
"Modern" is commonly used in the names of several unrelated Indian schools.

===Memberships===
The Modern School is a member of the [[Indian Public Schools' Conference]] (IPSC), National Progressive Schools' Conference (NPSC),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npscindia.com/member-schools.php?Start=100&ByPage=10|title=Member School|access-date=23 June 2018|publisher=National Progressive Schools' Conference}}</ref> Round Square Conference and the [[Central Board of Secondary Education]] (CBSE).<ref name="Affiliation"/>

==Public image==
'''Modern in Films, Television, and Theatre'''
*In [[Shekhar Kapur|Shekhar Kapur's]] 1983 film ''[[Masoom (1983 film)|Masoom]]'', Rinky ([[Urmila Matondkar]]) and Minni (Aradhana Srivastav) are wearing Modern School uniforms in two scenes.<ref>{{cite news|agency=TNN|author=Kashyap, Nitisha|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Delhi-used-to-be-innocent-Shekhar-Kapur/articleshow/21268983.cms|title=Delhi used to be innocent|date=23 July 2009|access-date=23 June 2018|work=The Times of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716211455/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Delhi-used-to-be-innocent-Shekhar-Kapur/articleshow/21268983.cms|archive-date=16 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
*The radio station exteriors in the 2006 Bollywood film ''[[Rang De Basanti]]'' were shot at Modern School, Barakhamba Road.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070520/asp/7days/story_7802253.asp|title=Capital Cinema|access-date=23 June 2018|work=The Telegraph|author=Ghosh, Padmaparna|date=22 May 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080115111947/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070520/asp/7days/story_7802253.asp|archive-date=15 January 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Rajendra Theatre was used for [[Albert Brooks]]' stand-up performance sequence in the film ''[[Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World]]''.
*In ''[[Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani]]'', the lead characters Kabir Thapar, played by [[Ranbir Kapoor]], and Naina Talwar, played by [[Deepika Padukone]], are scripted as Modernites. They talk about their school days at [[Modern School, Barakhamba Road]] during the first half of the film.
*In ''[[Hindi Medium]]'', the protagonist Raj, played by [[Irrfan Khan]], is trying to help his child get admitted to the (fictitious) Delhi Grammar school, which is portrayed at Modern School's campus; however, the name is avoided. Several scenes of the film were shot at the school's premises.

'''Modern in Literature'''
*[[Khushwant Singh]] recounts his experiences being amongst the first batch of Modernites in his autobiography ''Truth, Love and a Little Malice.'' He also recollects many a school tale in ''Notes on the Great Indian Circus''.
*In [[Chetan Bhagat]]'s, [[Half Girlfriend]], the female protagonist, Riya Somani, is a Modernite.

{{wide image|Modern School, Delhi Panorama.jpg|1000px|A panoramic view of the main building}}

==Notable people==

===Alumni===
{{Main|List of Modern School alumni}}
Pupils of Modern School have gone on to achieve prominence in politics, government service, the armed forces of India, commerce, journalism, literature, academia, and the fine and performing arts. They include a prime minister, several Cabinet and Chief Ministers, numerous members of the Indian Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies, high-ranking military officials, of which include two Chiefs of Air Staff, and several ambassadors. The best-known alumnus is [[Indira Gandhi]]. In fact, Modern School has educated several members of the [[Nehru–Gandhi family|Nehru-Gandhi family]]. [[Rahul Gandhi]] and [[Priyanka Gandhi]], children of former [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Rajiv Gandhi]] and [[Indian National Congress|India National Congress]] President [[Sonia Gandhi]], attended Raghubir Singh Junior Modern School before enrolling in [[St. Columba's School, Delhi|St. Columba's School]] and [[Convent of Jesus and Mary, Delhi|Convent of Jesus and Mary]] respectively.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/to-students-with-nostalgia/|title=To Students, With Nostalgia|access-date=23 June 2018|author=Muzaffar, Maroosha|date=4 September 2009|work=[[The Indian Express]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623112824/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/to-students-with-nostalgia/|archive-date=23 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Indira Gandhi|author=Agarwal, Meena|publisher=Diamond Pocket Books Pvt. Ltd.|year=2005|location=New Delhi, India|pages=169, 170}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article/the-man-nobody-knows/205083|title=The Man Nobody Knows|access-date=7 September 2015|website=Outlook India|publisher=Outlook India|author=Mehra, Sunil|date=16 February 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927084547/http://www.outlookindia.com/article/the-man-nobody-knows/205083|archive-date=27 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Decoding Rahul Gandhi|author=Ramachandran, Aarthi|publisher=Tranquebar Press|year=2012|isbn=978-9381626696|location=New Delhi, India}}</ref> Similarly, cousin [[Varun Gandhi]], son of [[Sanjay Gandhi]] and [[Maneka Gandhi|Maneka Anand Gandhi]], completed his primary schooling here.

Notable Modern School alumni have held senior positions in Indian politics, bureaucracy, and judiciary, these include [[Sanjay Kishan Kaul]], former Chief Justice of the [[Madras High Court]], [[Madan Lokur]], Supreme Court Judge, [[Mukul Rohatgi]], former [[Attorney General of India]], [[Gopalkrishna Gandhi|Gopal Krishna Gandhi]], Governor of West Bengal and Bihar, [[Kamalesh Sharma|Kamlesh Sharma]], [[Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom]], and [[Amitabh Kant]], chairman of the [[Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Project|Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor]] project. In the defence services, Modern Alumni include [[S.K. Mehra]] and [[P.C. Lal]], both former [[Chief of Air Staff (India)|Air Chief Marshals]] of the [[Indian Air Force]]. In the field of journalism and literature, Modern boasts stalwart [[Khushwant Singh]] as alumni. [[Arun Shourie]], former Cabinet Minister, [[Rajya Sabha|Member of Rajya Sabha]], editor of ''[[The Indian Express]]'', and [[Barkha Dutt]], Consulting Editor of [[NDTV]], and [[Raghav Chadha]], the national treasurer and spokesperson of the [[Aam Aadmi Party]], are also Modern alumni.

Modern alumni have also made a mark in sports and entertainment. Golfers [[Daniel Chopra]], [[Shiv Kapur]], and [[Gaurav Ghei]], cricketers [[Kirti Azad]], [[Unmukt Chand]], and [[Gautam Gambhir]], tennis players [[Vishal Uppal]] and Karan Salwan, shooter [[Samaresh Jung|Samresh Jung]], and chess grandmaster [[Tania Sachdev]] are all ex-Modernites. In the arena of fine and performing arts Modern alumni include [[Yamini Reddy]], [[Kuchipudi]] dancer, Abhay Sapori, Santoor maestro and music composer, film actress [[Amrita Singh]], [[Amjad Ali Khan]] and his sons [[Ayaan Ali Khan|Ayaan]] and [[Amaan Ali Khan]], Sarod exponents and music composers, [[Geeta Kapur]], art historian, art critic and daughter of former principal, Mr. M.N. Kapur, actors [[Sanjana Sanghi]], [[Mallika Dua]], [[Amrita Singh]], [[Priyamvada Kant]], [[Arjit Taneja|Arjit taneja]], [[Other Space|Karan Soni]], and [[Alok Nath]], filmmaker [[Shekhar Kapur]], film critic [[Sucharita Tyagi]], beauty pageant winner [[Ekta Chowdhry|Ekta Choudhry]].

[[Naresh Trehan]], surgeon and chairman of [[Medanta]], [[Noshir M. Shroff|Noshir Minoo Shroff]], eye surgeon, [[Aditi Shankardass]], Neuroscientist, and [[Arvinder Singh Soin]], liver transplant surgeon, represent Modern School alumni in the life and medical sciences. In business, [[Rajat Gupta]], former managing director of [[McKinsey & Company|McKinsey and Company]] and founder of the [[Indian School of Business]], [[Gurcharan Das]], CEO of [[Procter & Gamble]], and [[Surinder Mehta]], founder of Prime Group and a [[Padma Shri]] awardee are Modern School alumni.

=== Faculty ===

* [[Sarada Ukil]], artist, actor, and art teacher at Modern School, Barakhamba Road
* [[Ramkinkar Baij]], widely known as one of the pioneers of modern Indian sculpture taught at the school
* [[Sukumar Bose]], noted artist following in the tradition of the Bengal School of Art, taught art at the school through 1947

==Modern School Old Students' Association==
Modern School Old Students Association<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.msosa.com/ |title=msosa.com |access-date=23 June 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615014035/http://www.msosa.com/ |archive-date=15 June 2006 |url-status=live }}</ref> (''MSOSA'') brings together alumni. With over 15000 members, MSOSA has engaged in cultural and sporting activities to raise funds for supporting philanthropic activities, contributing to national causes including Kargil war relief in 1999, Gujarat earthquake relief in 2001, and tsunami relief in 2004. The Modernites Trust, MSOSA's philanthropic arm, provides merit scholarships to under-privileged students.<ref>{{cite web|title=Scholarship Programme|url=http://www.modernitestrust.com/scholarship/|publisher=The Modernites Trust|access-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623085038/http://www.modernitestrust.com/scholarship/|archive-date=23 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Doon school|The Doon school]]
*[[The Khaitan School]]
*[[St. Xavier's Collegiate School]]
*[[Mother's International School|The Mother's International School]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.modernschool.net/}}
* [http://rsjms.com Raghubir Singh Junior Modern School website]
* [http://modernschoolvasantvihar.org Modern School, Vasant Vihar website]
* [http://modernschoolec.com Modern School, Education City, National Capital Region (ECNCR)]
* [http://msosa.com Modern School Old Students' Association website]
* [http://www.modernitestrust.com The Modernites Trust]

[[Category:Private schools in Delhi]]
[[Category:Boarding schools in Delhi]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1920]]
[[Category:1920 establishments in India]]
[[Category:New Delhi]]

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Modern School (New Delhi)