Archive · 12 Nov 2025
Techie Expat Returns to India to Build Free Gurukul-Style School
Imagine a school where kids don't have to wake up super early or carry heavy bags.
At Vidyakshetra, a special school in India, mornings start with music, not bells.
Kids learn math by making dough, practice weaving, and sing songs.
They also help grow food in the garden and learn building skills.
There are no tests that make kids feel bad, but students still do very well on important exams.
The school is free, and families help run it by contributing what they can.
The founder, who used to work in technology, wanted to create a place where kids learn not just from books, but also from nature, art, and working together, so they grow up happy and helpful to others.
Vidyakshetra is a free, gurukul-inspired school on the outskirts of Bengaluru, founded by ex-techie Muneet Dhiman.
The school emphasizes holistic development, integrating traditional Indian knowledge systems with hands-on activities like weaving, gardening, and cooking.
Unlike traditional schools, Vidyakshetra has no uniforms, heavy bags, or competitive exams and rankings.
Education is free, funded by voluntary contributions and community donations, with admissions based on values rather than fees.
Despite the non-traditional approach, students consistently achieve high scores (above 85%) in board examinations.
- Who
- Muneet Dhiman, a former techie, and his wife Preethi, along with students, parents, and community members.
- What
- Established and operate Vidyakshetra, a free, gurukul-inspired school focused on holistic development, integrating traditional Indian knowledge systems with modern education, and rejecting traditional exams and fees.
- When
- The school was founded in 2016, with the idea originating from Muneet's reflections in 2006.
- Where
- On the outskirts of Bengaluru, India.
- Why
- To provide a meaningful educational experience focused on holistic growth, joy of learning, and connection to Indian knowledge systems, free from the pressures of traditional academic competition and financial barriers.
- School Name
- Vidyakshetra
- Founder
- Muneet Dhiman
- Location
- Outskirts of Bengaluru, India
- Founded
- 2016
- Student Capacity
- 157 (with ~1000 applications annually)
- Core Philosophy
- Samagr Vikas Method (holistic development) based on Panchakosha framework
- Curriculum Integration
- NIOS curriculum for board exams
- Fee Structure
- Free, supported by voluntary contributions (guru dakshina) and donations (daana)