Visionary • Educationist • Gentleman
Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. — W.B. Yeats
Education does not exist in mastering languages, but is found in that moral training which extends beyond the classroom to the playground and streets.
Education is enabling the mind to find out the ultimate truth which emancipates us from the bondage of the dust... — Rabindranath Tagore
Such inspirational and stirring ideologies of an embodiment of radiance and vigour, Late Wg Cdr S.S. Gyani, laid the foundation of this majestic establishment.
Our Founder – Late Wg Cdr S.S. Gyani was the Director of St. Soldiers Divine Public School (Panchkula) and Founder Director of Pinegrove School (Kasauli). He was a Gold Medallist in BA (Hons.) and completed M.A., B.T., M.Ae. S.I. degrees
A pillar of the Indian Air Force's academic ecosystem, he later devoted himself to shaping the next generation. His persona embodied humility, resilience, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
He worked his way up to success with determination and hard work. `By Toil he reached the Stars`. He never shied away from work and placed duty before self and even family, always and every time. Forever ready to take challenges and had a never-say-die attitude. His mind was alive while the body started giving way, about which he said:
A spiritual thinker and committed Rotarian, he authored Ripples of Modernism & Remedies (1996). A memorable moment during a visit to France, when a dancer was asked who taught her, she replied: “The ripples of the ocean and the womb of my mother.”
This deeply influenced him — modern learning from the world, but always rooted in the values of our nation. He believed education must never lose sight of the womb of Mother India.
Inspired by this philosophical reply, he used this anecdote to highlight the two rationales behind any accomplishment. He believed that these ‘Ripples of Ocean’ are the ‘Latest Ideas and Techniques’, which enable us to explore and educate ourselves in the field of Global Knowledge in every sphere of Human Activity and hence have a rippling constructive impact on the society as well. He believed that all of the top achievers we know are life-long learners. Looking for new skills, insights, and ideas. If they are not learning, they are not growing and not moving toward excellence. Hence, absorbing and adapting to contemporary ideas and practices is necessary for the growth of any individual or organization.
The last section of this book was about ‘Spiritualism and Theology’, which proved that he had not forgotten the ‘Womb of the Mother India’, i.e. Our Spiritual Heritage. He believed that there is nothing wrong with modernity, but we Indians should not lose our spiritual moorings, our Heritage plus our Theological thinking which is based on social responsibility.
In 1993, on a visit to Tasmania (Australia) as the Leader of Rotary International’s Rotary Friendship Team, the President of Host Club questioned Wg. Cdr. Gyani that with 5000 years old culture why hasn’t India advanced as much as Australians have done in the last 200 years. To this, he reverted with immense pride that India has made an incredible contribution and that is our Spiritual Philosophy based on “वासुदेवः कुटम्ब” which means ‘The World Is One Family’. These two Sanskrit words mean that the world is our family. India might not have made great Technological Advancements as they have been a threat to peace and ours is a nation for peace and not WAR. Here, in between the speech, he was interrupted and thundering applause followed from the audience.
These form the real epilogue to the saga of this visionary and reflect the kind of disposition of which he was formed. His grit can surely be determined by the spirit of his thought and vision.
This progressive educationist who stood for supreme ideals will continue to live eternally as the driving force behind this institution.