To Maam with Love. An extraordinary educator: Nashy Chauhan.

Nashy Chauhan, Director, Anand Niketan Group of Schools

Y e ar s o f wor k i n g in t h e i ndus t r y , yo ur c o n tr ibu t i o n r efl ec ts v e r s a ti l i t y an d volub i l i t y . Wh a t ha s inf l ue n c e d yo ur d e c i si o n m ak i n g pr o ce s s a t v a r i ou s s t ag es?

My 40 plus years of experience in the education sector has not only nurtured my versatility and experience as an educator but also compassion and respect for children as individuals. My decision making process at all stages has been influenced primarily by my strong belief and faith in the innate capacity and potential of each child. Akin to a seed which has the potential to grow into a huge tree, every child has enormous capacity to bloom and grow according to their own strengths, interests and capabilities. Their minds are sparks that can be ignited through the right approach unleashing the power hidden within them.

An acc o m p l is h m e n t t h a t yo u c on sider t o b e t h e m o s t si g nifi c a n t in yo ur c ar e er?

Every little effort made towards the progress/success of every single child counts and brings satisfaction but according to me, my most significant accomplishment has been creating curriculums. It is routinely observed that simply board guidelines and textbooks are followed in schools and I strongly feel the need of a structured curriculum. Thus, keeping in mind the different needs of every age group, I designed an adaptable and holistic curriculum for the different key stages, giving more weightage to their lifelong understanding and conceptual application. This curriculum encompasses and encourages differentiated instructions for the level 3 students as well as hand holding the level 1 students along with giving the required rigour to the level 2 students. I feel curriculum designing is my forte and my experience with children strengthens my ability to expose them to a module appropriate for them, in terms of both age and skills.

H o w do yo u i n t e g r a t e c o rp o r a t e p h il a n t h ro p y o r c o rp o r a t e so c ia l r e s p on s ib i l i t y a s a p a r t o f yo ur bu si n e s s s t r a t e g ies?

Education, in itself brings with it the essence of philanthropy or social responsibility as it is the birthright and privilege of each child on this planet. As the leader of a group of schools and an educator at heart, I attempt to include in all my schools as many differently abled children as well as under privileged. I also endeavor to support and scaffold education of many other children through various NGO’s by lending them a helping hand through sharing of educational resources, educators, personality development sessions and skill based courses.

Wh a t ha s be en yo ur d r i v i n g for ce o r p h i lo s op h y in li f e?

The driving force of my entire life has always been cultivating and nurturing strong relationships as they are the bedrock of every social interaction and exchange in life. Our happiness, peace and progress in life depends on the relationships that we share with others. The goal of my life is to create good human beings, not just successful people- and give them knowledge to apply their learning throughout their life.

Wh a t ar e t h e o t h er p h il a n t h rop ic wor ks yo u ar e i n volv e d in?

I would prefer not to term my projects as ‘Philanthropy’ as I consider all these efforts be integral to my capacity as an educator. I am involved with a variety of organization like Visamo ( under privileged children ) , Yuva Unstoppable ( Working for the youth) , Samvedna and Laddoo Foundation Abhisaar ( a municipal school ) and Aproach. I do my little bit in supporting these organizations through buddy interactions where students of my schools become buddies with the underprivileged students and scaffold their learning and social interactions, encouraging students to teach basic reading and writing to the maids and ground staff, collecting and donating milk bottles for the young children in the anganwadis and children of workers at construction sites and creating happy streets for children with freedom of choice and voice. I also continuously support free education for children from needy families, children under the RTE Act and holistic skill development including vocational as well as social skills like table etiquettes etc.

H o w do yo u defi n e s ucce s s an d h o w do yo u m e as u r e u p t o yo ur o w n defin i t i o n?

I define ‘success’ , not as any achievement or respect or fame but as an intention to always give one's best and excel in whatever we do. I endeavor hard to balance my work with passion, overcoming fear and giving my best shot at what I believe in.