DRIVE: The Force Behind Success - Manisha Khanna

“From First Steps to Full Circle: A Journey Rooted in DRIVE”

It began with a question: What truly makes a school good?

I didn’t have the answer then, but I had curiosity. And sometimes, that’s enough to begin.

Neetu Koranga, my mentor, didn’t hand me the answer—she offered scaffolding. Gentle nudges, reflective pauses, and space to explore helped me see that a good school isn’t defined by buildings or rankings, but by its soul—its people, its purpose, and its practices. She let me climb at my own pace, not rushing the learning, just guiding it. That’s where I found my first ‘D’—Direction.

Then came the voice behind the movement— Sandeep Dutt. A mentor, not in instruction but in inspiration. He didn’t just show the way; he walked with me. From helping shape my first student post to allowing me the space to correct, create, and eventually lead, he helped me tap into my second ‘D’—Dream.

The rest followed like ingredients into a simmering pot:

From designing graphics, writing reflections, to conducting a session in Hindi for students on a Sunday—it wasn't just learning, it was living the learning. Each effort, every retry, every Sunday spent refining my thoughts taught me the value of Dedication.

And when I stumbled, as learners often do, it was the fire within—the silent push to continue—that revealed my own Determination.

Together, these four pillars became my foundation. And like any good recipe, it wasn’t just one spice but the perfect blend that brought flavour to my journey.

“When You Dare to Dream, Direction Finds You—And Drive Takes You Further.”

To everyone who walked beside me in this journey, thank you for the patience, the belief, and the freedom to grow without limits. My Good School didn’t just change how I see education—it changed how I see myself.

Chasing questions, catching sparks — Manisha Khanna