The Beginning

What is now the Chinhat upper primary school in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh was one of the only few secondary schools in Lucknow, pre independence. The school has a great historical significance as in this very school, in 1929, father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, addressed a huge pro independence gathering and also planted a Neem (Azadirachta indica) tree.

In April 2014, merely 100 students were enrolled in the school with only one teacher to teach. Moreover, the school building and adjoining playground were in a dilapidated state. We were adamant to work with the government schools and help the children in whatever ways possible using interactive and creative ways. Our search stopped with this school and we had found the place we wanted to begin our work from.

With our consistent efforts and the unprecedented (hugely encouraging) support of the incumbent state government, especially the Chief Ministers office, we were able to reinstate some of the lost glory back into the school. On 2nd October, 2014, and on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's 145th birthday the refurbished building was handed over by the District Magistrate Mr. Rajashekhar to the students, with a brand new science laboratory, hand-pump, and levelled playground.

This was also the genesis of Tattva Foundation and the Spread Creativity project. The school houses Tattva’s first creativity lab, and is managed by local community mentors.