It has been 64 years since the walls of our great Institution first heard the thirsting humming of a mind desiring to enrich itself with the greatest blessing of them all- Education. Yes on September 3nd 1953, with 5 students [one including her own infant, Daraius] Mrs Dolat Doongaji embarked on a voyage to educate and enrich minds within the reaches of her world. Today 64 years later, New Activity School with a maximum capacity of 400 students is one of the premier primary education institutions in Mumbai. But like any monumental journey, this too was fraught with uncertainties and confusion. Like any nascent venture, New Activity School also started against the bedlam of tight deadlines.
The founder Principal Mrs. Dolat Doongaji chanced a meeting with the doyens of the Bhullabhai Desai Institute while she was there to enjoy a play. Ever the naturist, she fell absolutely head over heels in love with the terraced gardens and requested their permission to begin a Nursery School. She of course was highly qualified to do so after having completed her B.T. exam [now B.Ed] securing a Gold Medal in then Bombay city. The doyens being far sighted, recognised and respected her stature and were keen to have the school come up. The only rider was that classes must begin in 15 days.
A crazy dash ensued, with the developing and printing of curriculum and syllabi for the children. True to her artistic form, blue and pink desks for both genders respectively were made. At a time when co-ed schools were not the norm, it was Mrs Doongaji’s immaculate vision which has prompted the trend to become a norm in more progressive times today. She managed to rustle up three more children apart from her infant and his play mate. These children were poor and could not afford a fee. So Mrs Doongaji in her philanthropic wisdom allowed them the gift of knowledge without a cost. Soon 5 became 35 and 35 became several more. The school after all had the greatest advantage of Mrs Doongaji’s then revolutionary teaching methods which were holistic in nature and focussed on every aspect of a formative child’s development. Rave reviews followed both within the print media and otherwise, and New Activity School was the proverbial ‘talk of the town’.
Then like a sudden twist in an engrossing plot, Mrs Doongaji was stricken by a sever bout of Amoebic Dysentery and needed to travel abroad to Switzerland for enhanced treatments. Never one to waste a moment of precious time, she completed further Montessori courses one after another. These courses prepared her to now be in a position to run and manage an entire school from the nursery to the secondary section. She thankfully made a complete recovery and flew back to Mumbai only to realise that she had been served a legal notice to vacate the premises on a technicality which was not even of her own doing. Most mere mortals would have considered throwing in the towel. But Mrs Doongaji was made of sterner stuff. Taking gumption from her setback, another mad dash ensued. This time to find suitable premises to house a dream which has today flourished into a credible and commendable institution.
Within a few months Mrs Doongaji was introduced to another likeminded soul, Mr Laxmichand Tejpal- an educationalist and philanthropist of great repute in his own right. He immediately agreed to allow her to build three rooms on his terrace near Laxmi Narayan Mandir. The rest as they say is History. New Activity stands today bold and proud on this very location. And while Mrs Doongaji is no longer with us, her legacy and vision are imbibed superbly in everyday life by her very capable daughter Mrs Hira Bhesania. For 27 years now, she held the reins of New Activity School and steered it expertly in its quest for academic and social perfection. In its extensive journey of over 60 years New Activity School has never once turned down a child on grounds of differently abled. The blind, deaf, mute and mentally challenged have rubbed shoulders with mainstream children everyday till the time they have graduated into fine discerning and helpful citizens of the country. A voyage that started with 5, sails today with 400. A dream that took shape 64 years ago has blossomed into a vision encapsulated with the pride and passion to teach. From what was a genesis mired in the bedlam of confusion, New Activity School is now a shining diamond in the much enriched necklace of Indian Education.