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

From my high school years, I wished to be a teacher and wanted to be connected with students, school and education. This desire progressed and a right opportunity came on my way. Pune University had introduced a Diploma course in Education known as D.Ed., which could be completed simultaneously with the pre degree course.

I got enrolled and that was my great start to an amazing career in education.

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?

I strongly believe and practice “Multiple Intelligences Theory” proposed by Howard Gardner in all the three schools where I worked as the Founder Principal. Human intelligence is not limited to verbal-linguistic or logical-mathematical intelligences, but musical-rhythmic, visual-spatial and bodily-kinesthetic abilities are equally important. They play an immense and significant role in the overall development of students.

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

a) Since I was the Founder Principal in all the 3 Schools where I have served, I was very instrumental in designing and developing the curriculum for Music, Dance, Art, and Yoga in all the 3 Schools.

b) I have designed and organized Creative Art, Craft and Sculpture Exhibitions on a large scale in these 3 Schools every year exhibiting students creative work which were well attended and appreciated.

c) When I was the Principal at Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, Pune, the school had a tie up with SPIC MACAY, a renowned organization which promoted Indian music. Renowned national artists in vocal and instrumental music were invited to the school through SPIC MACAY periodically. This inculcated interest and appreciation for music in students.

d) Designed and created many Thematic presentations annually for students of primary, secondary and higher secondary   involving Dance, drama and music in all these schools.

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?

Many of the parents are aware of the importance of these co-curricular education and some are even taking special interest in engaging their children to pursue these co-curricular areas after school hours by giving extra private coaching.

As an educator, I conduct Parent and Student enrichment programs in schools where I have served.

My sessions on multiple intelligence, emotional intelligence, stress management and balancing academics and co-curricular activities have left a deep impression in the minds of parents.

I continue to do these sessions till date.

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

Fortunately, I am connected to and deeply interested in Music, Art, Dance and Yoga. Music is a part of my daily life and have learnt classical Carnatic music in my school years. Love to listen to all types of music – classical, semi classical, western, folk music.

I am a yoga practitioner. Yoga is my way of life and I conduct yoga workshops for teachers and sessions for students.

Creating thematic albums for birthdays and special occasions is of great interest to me.

Any other thoughts you may want to share.

I believe Art and Music are therapies which work well to calm the minds of young students and be in the present as they are totally involved in it. Yoga and meditation help the students to be flexible, de-stress and heal themselves.