Visionary Dr. Manoj Nahar has transformed education in Dhamnod in Madhya Pradesh through his Maa Narmada Group of Institutions excelling in skill-oriented learning and holistic development for students. His efforts have earned multiple awards, reflecting his commitment to shaping future-ready graduates.

Dr. Manoj Nahar is the Director of the Maa Narmada Group of Institutions in Dhamnod in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh.

Dr. Nahar is a pioneering educator whose efforts have shaped the educational landscape of the region. The institution is based in Dhamnod and Dr. Nahar has consistently focused on providing quality education to students in both school and higher education.

The Maa Narmada Group of Institutions operates a variety of programs across schools and higher education. The first institute is the Maa Narmada Degree College which is affiliated with Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore & recognised by Govt. of MP. Currently the Institute offers BSc programs in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, BBA, BCA, BSc Computer Science, BCom Computer Applications, MSc Chemistry, MCom and other professional courses.

After that, the Maa Narmada College of Education was established which offers B.Ed and D.Ed programs, providing quality teacher education. Meanwhile, Maa Narmada Academy, an English-medium school affiliated with the MP Board, educates students from nursery to 12th grade, with higher classes offering streams in Mathematics, Bio, Commerce and Agriculture.

He feels proud to share that since 2003, the institute is also running an authorised support center for the Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, Satna, MP. As Dhar district is a Tribal belt and there are students who are not able to pursue education due to different reasons. Understanding this gap he thinks that Distance Learning will be better for such students.

Highlighting his growth story from 2003 to 2026, Dr. Manoj Nahar shares that, in 2003, he established the Maa Narmada Degree College, which became the first private higher education college in Dhar district. At the outset, the college had only 22 students, marking the modest beginnings of an institution that would grow steadily over the years. Within a short span of time, the student strength increased to 55, then to 90 and continued to expand as the institution gained recognition for its quality education and dedication to student development.

In the early days, the college operated from a small rented building. However, by 2006, with immense effort and the support of his wife, Dr. Manoj Nahar was able to establish a permanent building for the college. At that time, resources were limited, but the encouragement and support of the people of Dhamnod and the larger Nimar region were a source of great motivation. Their faith in the institution, combined with the dedication of Dr. Manoj Nahar and his team, powered the college to expand and lay a strong foundation for future growth.

Dr. Nahar shares that by 2014, the institution had grown further and they also established the Maa Narmada College of Education, offering B.Ed and D.Ed programs. Alongside this, a new campus was developed to accommodate the growing number of students and expand educational offerings. Recognizing the demand for quality English-medium schools affiliated with the state board in Dhamnod and the wider Nimar region, he founded Maa Narmada Academy in 2017.

Initially, the school catered to students from ninth to twelfth grade, as he had expertise in higher education and in handling higher class students. However he observed a big gap in the basics of the students, as he was admitting students directly to 9th or 10th class.

But then, Covid struck, and it was definitely not a favoured situation for anything new. Still he received high support from his staff of around 125 to 150 people. After Covid, he expanded the school to include nursery through twelfth grade. Currently, the school educates approximately 950 students, while the BEd & DEd College enrolls around 450 students.

Talking about challenges, Dr. Manoj Nahar highlights that there are different struggles in every phase of life which everyone faces. He mentions that even though they have two campuses, 18 bigha land and around 20 buses, still, over 25 years, the institutions have faced significant challenges, including financial crises and the Covid pandemic. Yet, with the blessings of mentors, guidance from parents and the dedication of his team, they were able to overcome these hurdles.

The institutions have received multiple awards and recognitions for excellence in education, including the Best Higher Education Award in Dhar district and the Education Excellence Award presented by former Chief Minister Honorable Kamal Nath in Minto Hall in Bhopal. Dr. Manoj Nahar acknowledges that these achievements are the result of the dedication and hard work of every teacher and staff member, whose contribution is invaluable. Other than this they have also been in the news for their different achievements. He believes that if you do good work with positive mindsets, the outcomes will be good too.

Dr. Manoj Nahar’s personal academics path began with a B.Tech in Electronics Engineering, followed by an MBA in Finance, and culminated in a Ph.D. in Management, awarded during the Covid period. He and his wife began their professional career as lecturers. His first job was at JIT, Borawan Dist. Khargone, MP from 2000 to 2003, where he drew inspiration from Honorable Subhash Ji Yadav, who was then the Deputy Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.

Observing the dedication of Honorable Subhash Ji Yadav, such as late-night campus visits, and personal engagement with students left a lasting impression on Dr. Manoj Nahar. He was particularly inspired by how Honorable Subhash Ji Yadav would ensure he was aware of every aspect of student life and college administration. This inspired him to pursue a similar vision for education, leading to the establishment of his own institutions in Dhamnod.

He further highlights that the name Maa Narmada was chosen thoughtfully, as he belongs to the Patidar samaj. Before initiating they researched on the different regions and areas such as Khargone district, Badwani district or Dhar district. After a lot of research they were able to realise the potential in Dhamnod city.

As they found the location, now came the task of naming the institution. His mother, a deeply religious woman, suggested that since the institution was being established on the banks of the sacred Narmada River, it should be named in her honor.

Dr. Manoj Nahar was born in Pipalrawan, Devas district, in a family rooted in agriculture. His early education was in his village, and after sixth grade, he moved to continue his education with guidance from his elder brother, Dr. Naveen Nahar, who played a significant role in shaping his academic path.

He mentions that he completed part of his schooling in Sonkatch, MP and finished higher secondary education in Sehore. Later, he qualified for combined entrance exams such as PET and PAT. He pursued a BSc in Agriculture. However, driven by the dream to become an engineer, he again gave an entrance exam for engineering and got enrolled in Khargone. After completing his MBA, he eventually achieved a Ph.D. in Management, reinforcing his dedication to the field of education.

Director of Maa Narmada Group of Institutions Dr. Manoj Nahar emphasizes that the measure of an institution’s success is not in its buildings or infrastructure, but in the values, knowledge, and skills that its students carry forward. He believes in the principle of “Work is worship”, encouraging students to dedicate themselves fully to their work. Success comes only through consistent effort, focus and devotion, and education must combine both theoretical knowledge and practical skills aligned with societal and industry needs.

Sharing his message for the youth and college students, Dr. Nahar states that he has observed the increase in the level of distraction in today’s college students in comparison to previous students, and it might be because of social media. He understands that gadgets are useful but only when they are used in a positive way. However he believes that instead of positive use, mobile phones are creating more negative influence.

A critical aspect of his institutions is addressing the gap between education and industry requirements. Dr. Manoj Nahar ensures that the curriculum integrates skill development alongside theoretical learning, preparing students for real-world challenges. For example, commerce students are trained in practical aspects like Income Tax and Indirect Taxation in addition to theoretical studies, ensuring they are career-ready.

He believes that every student deserves guidance, whether enrolled in his institutions or not. The institutions maintain a Career Guidance and Placement Cell that provides ongoing support to students, helping them explore opportunities, develop skills, and prepare for successful careers. Graduates of the Maa Narmada Group of Institutions excel not only in Madhya Pradesh and India but also globally, making a mark in their professions and contributing positively to society.

He stresses that Education is a noble profession that requires complete dedication. Hard work has no substitute, and meaningful progress is achieved only through consistent, focused effort.

The Maa Narmada Group of Institutions stands as a testament to Dr. Manoj Nahar’s vision, dedication, and perseverance. It continues to empower students, providing them with knowledge, values, and skills to succeed in every sphere of life. His mission remains unwavering: to provide quality education, nurture talent, and positively impact society. Through devotion, hard work, and the collective effort of his team, Dr. Manoj Nahar ensures that the institutions continue to grow, inspire, and prepare students to achieve excellence in India and across the world.