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

Since childhood, I was fascinated by my parents who were in the teaching fraternity. They inspired me to become a teacher and I started teaching as an assistant teacher in a nursery school when I was in 11th grade. I was excited and wanted to learn more and after exploring, I got into central academy, my first school as a teacher and it was CBSE board in Jaipur.  Not a nursery teacher anymore I was a TGT - Trained Graduate Teacher but my destination was still too far. I met Dr P C Sharma in a workshop, he was the Founder & Director of Mody University. He called me to work under him, that was the first boarding school of my life, I served there for 3 years IN Nimawat Public School under his sharp guidance. I joined another institution as a PGT in English, then I went on becoming coordinator and vice principal. Now I'm working as a principal in Swaminarayan Gurukul Gyanbag International School and I’m very much satisfied being an educationalist and a teacher, enjoying and cherishing this profession.

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?

Educational Institutes have a major responsibility in planning different strategies to ensure co-curricular activities are taken up regularly. These develop life skills and enhances children in their overall personality development.

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

I give equal weightage to co-curricular activities and academics. Initiatives which I carry out to develop students are mainly inter house competitions, sports activities and inter school competition. We encourage students to take up such activities to let them develop competitive spirits in them.

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?

We conduct orientation programmes for parents where we make them understand how both the things i.e. co-curricular activities and academics are equally important for a child. Also focus on preparing students for 21 century skills, developing life skills and making them all-rounder. Parents & teachers play a similar role with children and hence we organise PTA meetings for incorporating better competencies amongst students.

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

If an institution is following the parameters of co-curricular activities sincerely, religiously and honestly then students will surely develop their overall skills. There shouldn’t be any dearth in terms of opportunities for students. The choice of subjects can differ. Music & Sports are the two activities which our students practice on a regular basis, but we do not compel students to follow any particular activity, whatever they like they can opt.

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

Two of our students have got selected in Dance India Dance. Some of them have become IIT-ians and IAS officers. One is pursuing research from Florida after completing M. Tech from BHU. One of my student Krithi Garg form Jaipur is starred in a Film called 2 hours Love which was released last month.

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

I’m connected with music and sports. I am national level rifle shooter and a good singer too.

Any other thoughts you may want to share.

People without education is like Silver in a mine.