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

I used to give tuitions to students when I was studying Integrated M.Sc (Hons) Mathematics course in the Panjab University. I taught around 40 students from 40 different families over a period of 5 years to support my University Education. After PG I thought of joining industry and was offered jobs by Tata company but my Professor In University and few parents of students whom I taught convinced me to continue teaching. I went on to pursue a professional teaching degree of B.Ed. While at college, I really liked getting involved in various aspects relating to teaching and education. I eventually landed up in an International school as an HOD in Mathematics and worked there for 11 years and that’s how I came into 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?

Most of the entrance exams especially engineering entrance test exams are based on course material exceeding class 11th and 12th . It all depends  upon how well they are trained to crack the exam . After rigorous hard work students tends to relax while in engineering program as they are unable to bear the stress which may  jeopardise their degree and career later on. So if Schools give students exposure in the field of Music and Arts than such modalities can help them to calm their mind and come out of the stress of their daily strenuous schedule. Schools & Colleges must provide activities where students can organise various cultural events, take part in them, draw and paint, play certain games, converse with friends around so as to inculcate certain skills in them which would further play pivotal role in excelling in life.

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

Every child in my institution is exposed to different dance forms. Singing and dancing is introduced for kindergarteners. Senior students also learn Art Music and Dance. They have an exposure to indoor games such as chess and table tennis and outdoor games such as Basketball, Football Volleyball Kabbaddi Kho-Kho and Hockey under the guidance of coaches and trainers. Our sports staff ensure that the rules and regulations while playing are followed and students gradually pick all the skills required to do well in a particular sport.

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?

When the parents complain about their child’s behaviour at home, we simply ask them in what activities apart from academics is their child indulged into or what keeps their child occupied at home? And they seem absolutely clueless to answer. Parents look up to the schools to cater such activities because if a child isn’t getting involved in co-circular activities at home or at school, then parents can imagine how dull their child’s life will be. Out of lakhs aspirants, only 10 thousand students get admissions in IIT and according to one statistics, around 700 to 800 suicides happen every year at IITs. Even after tremendous success and academic excellence, why students are committing suicide? The reason lies in the fact that they cannot bear the stress. Unless they get indulged in activities which relax and calm their minds, they will never be able to sustain themselves. We have a wider perspective and a comprehensive plan and scientific approach to deal with students. Many parents are supporting us to carry out this program which is blend of various curricular and co-circular activities which helps in over all development of mind and body of the student.

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

We don’t have qualified, trained and certified staff available. Some candidates do acquire several degrees and essential qualification but due to poor communication skills, schools are reluctant to employee them. Institutions should also try and improve the basic communication skills of such trainers to make them employable.  According to the new CBSE norm, every class should be given at least one period for sports in a day but it goes wrong on two counts as the trained staff is not available and also this policy will take away major chunk of time which is supposed to be used to teach various academic subjects. Government should come out with a comprehensive plan to bring out major changes rather than suggesting half baked ideas.

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

One of our students, Gurvinder Singh from Jalandhar is a national record holder for 100 metres and he even has broken his own record. There are students who have excelled well in Chess at international level. Several students have gone to top universities across the world.

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

I have a lot of interest in arts. Besides this, I regularly spend time with our arts teacher in school.  I like listening to music. I play chess and table tennis as and when I get time. In school also I play football and volleyball with Students.

Any other thoughts you may want to share.

I have travelled a lot all over the world. My personal ambition is that whatever I know I keep on adding to it. I have given lectures on Science and Spirituality in various colleges and corporate houses.  I want to keep on sensitizing my students on various aspects of life and how academics and other skills acquired by them will take them far in life.