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

Since my childhood, I always used to deal with the problems faced by my friends and peer group. I always got a compliment of being a very good teacher even when I was actually not. I always wanted to bring a change in society. This can be best done by training young minds. Hence, I decided to be an educationist and work for this noble cause.

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 Sports?

Yes, these responsibilities lie with us directly. In today's scenario when every parent wants to see his child to be an engineer or a doctor, it is the responsibility of educational institutions to encourage all the students to participate maximum in co-curricular activities. Also, we must provide guidance and a suitable platform to the potential students so that they can further pursue their area of interest as a career.

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

I have always ensured 100% participation of all the students in co-curricular activities. Encouraging all the students to participate maximum, planning and organising various activities and competitions on monthly basis, felicitating the winners and appreciating the participants encourage them a lot. Running sports academy and making students participate at state and national level competitions is also done. All the students who were academically not very sound were encouraged to opt for a sport of their choice and we could bag 36 medals in various categories in Archery within 6 months’ time.

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?

It’s a fact that the majority of the parents do measure success by academic score, but cocurricular activities are equally important and should not be looked down upon. As an educationist I believe in holistic development of students which can't be achieved only by academics. There are numerous examples in front of us where people have made successful careers in field of music, sports, art or dance. Sachin Tendulkar failed in English exam in 10th standard and now there is a chapter about him in class 10 English book. All famous singers, choreographers and sports persons have gained unbeatable name and fame by opting fields of their interest and could give their best.

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

I would like to make co-curricular activities mandatory at higher education level also. Each child must opt for at least one activity as a subject in senior classes also. However, we can emphasize more on practical and not theory to reduce the academic burden on students.

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

Class 6 student Yashraj has played Cricket at national level.
Class 10 student Aarzoo has won at state level in art competition.

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

I like listening to music. I also love dancing and have keen interest in arts. I also play badminton and chess occasionally. I organise various events time to time for my students. Seeing their excitement, I feel rejuvenated and contended. I also perform all the activities with my students and at home also whenever I get a chance.

Any other thoughts you may want to share.

I have been a science student but never compelled my own daughters to opt for science stream and gave them liberty to opt a career of their own choice. I would like to request all the parents to be liberal in their approach. If every child will opt to be an engineer, they will not find any musician to entertain. Life will become dull without these fun activities which are called as co-curricular activities. Let your child perform best in all areas and then leave him free to opt for his choice.