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

I started my career in 1996. I am a person who completed education after getting married and becoming a mother. Affection for children and an inclination towards the field of education somewhere got me into this because genetically my father, grandmother and most of the family members were into teaching. I felt this profession suitable for me where I could make a right balance between work and life. I wanted to look after my children’s parenting on my own and at the same time pursue a career in teaching.

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?

Many schools are focusing more in MADS activities because they play a vital role in overall development and grooming of a child. Students need to identify their own self inclinations and choices and it cannot be done without giving importance to the co curricular activities. Equal importance must be given to co curricular and academics.

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

I have conducted dramatics and role play activities amongst students as I have a personal interest in drama. Though I’m not much good at sports, I always motivated children to go for sports and also develop an interest towards music. When I came into the leadership role as a Principal, I noticed that most of the parents wanted their kids to just have good marks in their report cards. I started organising cleanliness drive in the community to make children aware of so many changes our country is going through and our children are unaware of them. For health and fitness awareness, I contacted doctors and pediatrists to advise parents for better development of children. On Saturdays I ensured that every child gets a chance to perform dramatics in English, Hindi, Gujarati, Kathiyavadi or in their respective mother tongue. Initially children were shy to perform but as they developed a habit, I saw a very good response.

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?

Though we all discuss about reducing pressure of children, but still parental pressure remains the same. Parents want their children to know each and everything and have good marks. But such children are the ones who are poor in interacting with people confidently. There has to be such awareness created for parent to let them understand that children’s lives matter more than beyond marks. For this we can conduct skill developments workshops for parents as well.

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

Creating awareness about the innovation of Artificial Intelligence is one step taken by CBSE. Another step which needs to be implemented is to work towards the holistic development of a student for that teachers should be trained especially, and parents must also be made aware.

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

I was on the cover page of Dainik Bhaskar ( Diwali Edition) in the year 1993. 
Was selected as one of the judges in the panel for identifying talent( kids of middle and secondary classes). 
I am dramatics trained ( Helen O ‘Grady).

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

I love reading and I am an avid reader. Secondly, I like music and I am fond of semi classical and ghazals. I am not very much interested in sports, but I like to see matches at times. I also follow the people who made India reach to the top. People like Mary Kom and Milkha Singh fascinate me a lot. Dramatics is really something I am interested in. I was a Marathi Theatre practitioner and I am planning to join a theatre group once again.