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

Started teaching English at St Francis’ College, Lucknow, my Alma Mater, in 1986. The Principal asked me if I wanted to teach and I said yes. With time, I realised I was cut out to be a teacher. Never looked back.

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?

The only real education is given through co-curricular programmes. To teach a child to speak, sing and dance is to give him a life.

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

Introduced a number of activities like Just A Minute, Mock Court, Literary Charade, Elocute your own, Mushaira etc.

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 transforms a child completely. He carries himself differently after gaining in self-esteem.

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

Regard co-curricular events in the same way as you look at the curriculum.

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

6 times National Champions in Volleyball at the CBSE Cluster Games

Any other thoughts you may want to share.

As classes turn more boring and the pressure of competitive exams increase, children should be compulsorily made to participate in co-curricular activities.