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OUR STORY

Nishkam trust is the brain child of our founders Dr.Shalini Modi and Ms.Smita Vishweshwar.

 

In 2007, Nishkam Trust was born after Shalini and Smita discovered the universe of Montessori Education, with the support of their families. On 5th October 2008, we got the legal approval under the aegis of the ICDS Scheme to run the Montessori system in Balwadis by adopting them.

 

We are very proud that Nishkam Trust is one of the two trusts recognized and approved by the Corporation of Chennai to adopt the Balwadis and to implement the Montessori Method. Since 2008, Nishkam trust has adopted 12 balwadis. 

THE CREW

Shalini Modi (Trustee & Founder)

Educational Qualifications:

 

  • Ph.D. in Social Sciences on ‘Tourism and Society – A Comparative Sociological Study ofTourism in India and the West’, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India (1998)

  •  Qualified the National Eligibility Test (NET)conducted by the University Grants Commission of India for appointment as Lecturer in Sociology (December,1997)

  • M.Sc. (International Leisure Studies) with Honours from the World Leisure and Recreation Association’s International Centre for Excellence and the Christelijke Hogeschool Noord, The Netherlands (1993-95)

  • M.A. (Sociology) with 1st Division from University of Rajasthan, Jaipur (1988-90)

  • L.L.B. (Bachelor in Law) from Campus Law Centre, Delhi University, Delhi (1984-87)

  • B.A. (Honours) History from Lady Sri Ram College, Delhi University, Delhi (1981-84)

Experience:

 

  • Co-Founder and Trustee of Nishkam Trust (2007 onwards)

  • Teacher Trainer & Education Coordinator, ASEEMA (an NGO), in Mumbai that works with under-privileged children in Government schools and training young adults. (January 2010 - May 2012

  • Worked as a Montessori Teacher in the Pre Primary at St Helen’s Montessori School, East Farleigh, Kent, UK (Sept 2008 – June 2009)

  • Montessori Course (6-9 years) from The Kent & Sussex Montessori Centre, UK (2008-09)

  • Montessori Course (3-6 years) from Centre for Montessori Training, Chennai (2004-2005)

  • Introduced and implemented the Montessori System at two Municipal Corporation Schools and at two ‘Balwadi’ Centres in Chennai. Co-ordinated the Montessori Program and volunteered as a full-time teacher (2005 - 2008). 

  • Lecturer (Tourism & Travel Management), Stella Maris College, Chennai (2002-2003)

  • Manager (K-10 Program) and Adopt a School Program, Schoolnet India Limited, Chennai (2000 – 2002)

  • Lecturer, University of Delhi, Delhi. Taught Post Graduate Courses in Tourism and Travel Management at the College of Vocational Studies (CVS) and Undergraduate Courses in Sri Venkateshwara College and Dyal Singh College, New Delhi (1998-99)

  • Research Work on ‘Women, Family and Leisure’ in India (1994-95)

  • Research Officer for a National Project on ‘Assessment of Drug Abuse, Drug Users and Drug Prevention Services in Ajmer’ (1989-91). The Project was sponsored by the Ministry of Welfare, Government of India, and was a pioneering study to assess the extent and impact of drugs in selected cities across the country.

Smita Vishweshwar (Trustee & Founder)

Smita is a dedicated educator, mentor, leader, as well as a wife and a mother.

 

Educational Qualifications:

 

  • Certified participant of the Whole School Management Program for experienced founders of Montessori schools conducted in San Jose, United States of America in November 2016

  • Executive Program, Leadership and Management, IIM Calcutta (2013-2014)

  • B.A in Economics, Mathematics and Statistics, Calcutta University (1989)

Experience:

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  • Co founder and Trustee of NISHKAM TRUST (2007 onwards)

  • Founder and Principal of Sprouts Montessori House of Children, (2003 onwards)

  • Training of teachers at Centre for Montessori Training, Chennai (2003-2008)

  • Consultant, Montessori Environment Creation, SOS village, Tambaram, Chennai       (2004-2007)

  • Elementary Montessori Training from Indian Institute for Montessori Studies,  Bangalore (2003)

  • Co-founder and partner at Sharanalaya Montessori House of Children (2001-2003)

  • Montessori training for Primary Children, Centre for Montessori Training, Chennai (1999-2000)

Mari Rajendran (Trustee)

Mari Rajendran.jpg

Educational Qualifications:

 

  • Montessori Training in Primary Level at CMTC (2007)

  • B.Sc  in Physics, Madurai Kamarajar University, (1998)

Experience:

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  • Trustee of NISHKAM TRUST ( June 2020 onwards)

  • Coordinator of Nishkam Trust ( 2010 till June 2020)

  • Actively involved in acquiring necessary legal permissions for Nishkam Trust and Sprouts Montessori House of Children

  • Working as Montessori Tamil Language teacher for older children of Sprouts Montessori House of Children since 2016

  • Responsible for setting up Balwadis and providing Montessori training for adults at various centres:

    • Sevalaya Trust (2015 – 2018)

    • Madhuram Narayan Centre (2014 – 2015)

    • Bala Mandir (2013 – 2014)

    • Sushil Hari International School (2012 – 2013)

    • Pattinampakkam Balwadi, Chennai & Avadi Balwadi, Thiruvallur District (2011 – 2012)

    • 5 environments in different Balwadis across Chennai (2010 – 2011)

  • Worked as a Montessori adult with Nishkam Trust for children of the age group 1 to 6 years ( 2007 – 2010)

  • Imparted education through the ABL (Activity Based Learning) Method in corporation schools in Chennai (2004 – 2006)

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