When and why did you decide to take up education as your career?

I have been in the education sector for the last 19 years; I did not pursue it as a compulsion but as a passion. To bring about certain changes in the teaching methodology, I wanted to create an impact in overall education system because I think education system required huge change.

As an educationalist, you are touching many human lives directly. Do you think educational institutions can play a significant role in overall development of students by encouraging them to take up co-curricular interests like Music, Art, Dance or Sport?

In order to promote the holistic development of children, extracurricular activitiesplaya very important role. If these activities are encouraged in schools, then I think children will demonstrate holistic improvement. Our school is known for learning by doing. Whatever children learns is first being done practically as we follow the activity-oriented methodology in this school.

What are some of the most important initiatives related to co-curricular that you have taken in the institutions you have served?

We have inter-house music, bouquet making, salad making,dance competitions. Organize special assemblies on occasions, celebrate festivals, bring underprivileged children from local schools, we also take our students to old age home to teach them values.

In the days when most people measure success only by academic score, how would you convey to the parents of your students that co-curricular education is not something to be looked down upon?

Education is the holistic development of the children in order to bring holistic development, co-curricularactivities plays important part. Academics scores are very much important, I do admit that but at the same time in order to nurture a child we have to conduct co-curricular activities like Music, Arts, Dance & Sports. We have made compulsory periods in our school for Art and Craft, Dance, Yoga, Horse-riding, Basketball, Soccer and Cricket.

If you were to suggest one major change in perspective of co-curricular education, what would that be?

I think the co-curricular activities should be looked upon as a very crucial subject and it should not be looked down upon. Children should be made to understand that these activities are not superfluous, they can do it if they like and not do if they don’t like. These activities must be made very compulsory for students to know these are very significant in the school’s curriculum.

Please let us know about some key achievements of your institution and/or your student(s) in MADS at national/international level?

Many of our students have won international medals in Karate and Swimming competitions and so on.

What are your personal interests in Music, Art, Dance or Sports and how do you continue to pursue them?

I am a trained classical dancer, I used to learn Kathak and creative dance forms. I have treated this activity as important as the academics. My interest in that particular domain remains the same till date.

Any other thoughts you may want to share.

Our present education system requires a lot of change. Co-curricular activities must be encouraged for the children. Those children who are not academics oriented, must be motivated and influenced towards cocurricular activities, also parents and schools should highly encourage them.