On Wednesday 23 April, we were delighted to hold the official signing ceremony with Doon International Educational Society to mark the opening of Bedford School Mohali, the first international school under the Bedford School brand.
The grand ceremony in our Quarry Theatre was attended by distinguished guests including His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant Susan Lousada, High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Camilla King, Mayor of Bedford OB Tom Wootton (78-87) and special guest, former England Cricket Captain and OB Sir Alastair Cook (98-03).
Guests gathered to welcome our new partners from Doon: Harinder Singh Mann, Charanjeet Singh Mann, Simrita Mann and Sonika Gosal Mann.
After a welcome from Head Master James Hodgson, who showcased imagery and introduced the new school. The Lord-Lieutenant Susan Lousada delivered an inspiring speech highlighting the ‘three firsts’ achieved through this partnership: the first British International Girls’ School in India, the first British brand in Northern India and the first time Bedford School has lent its reputable name beyond the school in Bedford. In their speech, James Hodgson and Harinder Singh Mann both emphasised the alignment of Bedford School’s values of integrity, endeavour, curiosity, responsibility and above all, kindness with Doon’s own ethos and values.
Guests were treated to a musical performance by a school string quartet, which featured the first movement of Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Rahman’s Agar Tum Saath Ho arranged by Ash.
The ceremony also included an engaging monologue about the history of the town of Bedford, charmingly performed by Year 5 Prep boy Olly Stopford, and a poetry reading by Year 7 Prep boys Thomas McDonald and Gabriel Roberts.
Head of School, Tanay Rai, offered a poignant insight into what Bedford School Mohali means to boys currently at the school. Tanay spoke about how this was not only a landmark achievement, but also a source of pride and inspiration. Knowing that young girls in India who attend Bedford School Mohali will have the opportunity to benefit from a Bedford School education too, embodying the school’s values and developing into intellectually curious, resilient and confident young women, ready for the future, just as they are themselves.
After the event, Tanay told James Hodgson, “When I’m old, I’ll remember this day. And when I’m in India, I’ll remember to make sure I go and see the school in Mohali and I’ll be very proud.”
The official signing was followed by the exchange of gifts, including two cricket bats signed by OB Sir Alastair Cook, who joined the partners on stage for photographs.
James Hodgson, speaking on the partnership, explained, “I am absolutely thrilled. We knew from pretty much the moment we met Harinder and Charanjeet that this was going to be an amazing partnership and most importantly, we have a shared vision of what a good education should look like. For us to be at the unfolding of this vision for a girls’ school 4,000 miles away is very exciting.”
Harinder Mann Singh commented, “As soon as we were in touch with the Bedford team, we knew that was exactly where we wanted to be, not only for the fact that we have a very similar vision, ethos and values, but also our expectations from what a quality institution should be.”
Having visited the school, Charanjeet Mann stated, “We have been genuinely impressed with what we have seen since we came. There is a great amount of very positive enthusiasm, energy, vibrancy and everything you would associate with a top-quality education institution has been visible to us throughout our visit. Today’s signing marks an extremely important day for us, and we look forward to taking Bedford’s name to India with a great deal of quality assurance and, on our part, a commitment to ensuring that the Bedford name flies high.”
