New Delhi: In a landmark development for India’s education sector, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi, Rekha Gupta, launched Project Manobal at Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Shalimar Bagh Village. The initiative introduces what is being described as India’s first structured mental health education program for government schools.
The program is an initiative of the Ladli Foundation, powered by The Mind Sync, with the aim of making mental health education accessible to students studying in government schools and underserved communities.
Project Manobal focuses on building emotional intelligence, resilience, self-awareness, and social-emotional skills among children through a structured curriculum delivered by trained psychologists.
Project Manobal Introduces Structured Mental Health Learning in Schools
Unlike traditional approaches that address mental health concerns only after problems arise, Project Manobal follows a preventive education model.
The program will provide weekly mental health education sessions conducted by trained psychologists. Students’ emotional and social development will be monitored through structured assessments and progress reports, similar to the way academic performance is tracked in schools.
Each participating student will receive a Project Manobal Kit, which includes:
- Grade-wise mental health education curriculum books
- Activity worksheets
- Psychological assessments
- Completion certificate
- Stationery kit by Maped, a globally recognized stationery brand
The initiative aims to ensure that students develop essential life skills alongside academic knowledge.
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Teacher Training and MANN Workshops to Strengthen Emotional Learning
A major component of Project Manobal includes specialized teacher training workshops designed to help educators identify emotional challenges at an early stage.
Through these workshops, teachers will learn how to create psychologically safe classrooms where students feel supported and encouraged to express themselves.
For senior students, the program features the flagship MANN Workshop, an immersive learning experience focused on helping adolescents understand their emotions, improve emotional regulation, and develop resilience.
The workshop uses interactive activities and real-life scenarios to strengthen emotional intelligence and prepare students for challenges beyond school life.
Manobal Lab: India’s First Emotional Intelligence Lab for Schools
One of the key highlights of Project Manobal is the launch of the Manobal Lab, described as India’s first emotional intelligence lab for schools.
The experiential learning space allows students to actively explore emotions through practical activities rather than only learning concepts theoretically.
The Manobal Lab includes:
- Emotion regulation zones
- Mindfulness experiences
- Hands-on neuroscience activities
- Reflection corners
The initiative aims to transform emotional learning into a practical experience where students can understand, manage, and express their emotions effectively.
The Vision Behind Project Manobal
Speaking about the initiative, Manas Dubey, Founder of The Mind Sync, said that Project Manobal envisions schools where students learn not only academic subjects but also how to understand emotions, develop resilience, and build emotional intelligence.
He highlighted that the collaboration between Ladli Foundation and The Mind Sync creates a model where children from communities with limited access to mental health support can receive structured emotional education.
The program combines psychologist-led lessons, experiential activities, and personalized support to promote emotional well-being among students.
Ladli Foundation’s Contribution Towards Inclusive Education
The Ladli Foundation, under the leadership of its Founder Shri Devendra Kumar, has been working across areas including education, women and girl child empowerment, digital inclusion, healthcare, livelihood development, and community welfare.
The organization has established more than 250 computer laboratories in government schools across Delhi and has implemented initiatives such as AI-integrated smart toilets, smart classrooms, and STEM laboratories.
The foundation is also working to improve digital literacy and support students from underserved communities in preparing for competitive opportunities such as the Common University Entrance Test (CUET).
With Project Manobal, the foundation is expanding its education mission by focusing on emotional intelligence and life skills required for students’ overall development.
The Mind Sync Brings Mental Health Curriculum to Indian Schools
The Mind Sync, founded by Manas Dubey and Dr. Shivam Dubey, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, is focused on making mental health education a part of everyday school learning.
The organization developed India’s first mental health education curriculum for schools based on the belief that mental health skills should be taught proactively rather than addressed only during crises.
The curriculum integrates:
- Emotional intelligence
- Social-emotional learning (SEL)
- Psychology-based activities
- Neuroscience concepts
Currently, The Mind Sync’s programs have impacted more than one lakh students and over 1,500 teachers across India.
Project Manobal Supports the Vision of Future-Ready Students
The launch of Project Manobal comes at a time when student mental health has emerged as a major concern across the country.
The initiative represents a shift from crisis response to prevention by equipping children with emotional skills from an early age.
Aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, the program aims to contribute toward building a generation that is not only academically capable but also emotionally strong, confident, empathetic, and prepared for future challenges.
Project Manobal Could Transform Mental Health Education in India
Project Manobal marks a significant step toward redefining how schools approach student development.
While traditional education systems have largely focused on academic achievement, the initiative highlights the importance of emotional intelligence as a core skill for success in life.
By integrating mental health education, teacher training, experiential learning, and psychological support, Project Manobal aims to create classrooms where students are prepared not only for examinations but also for life.
The initiative represents a new approach to education—one that nurtures children who are resilient, emotionally intelligent, and ready to lead with confidence and compassion.
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