India is undoubtedly one of the most diverse countries in the world. With 22 common languages, 900 dialects, and a massive population of about 1.3 billion people, the country constitutes all major religions and sects in the world, spread across its demography, bounded beautifully with the shared fabric of-Unity in Diversity. The constitution of India secures equal laws for fundamental rights for each citizen of the country.
However, the country has also struggled to implement these laws consistently as only educated individuals can absorb, perform, and even demand when denied their rights.
The architect of The Constitution of India, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, recognized that this challenge could only be met by education. In his iconic address to the citizens, he had said, “Be educated, organise and agitate” against injustice.
The country is still fighting to spread legal awareness among its illiterate, destitute, and underprivileged citizens. Dr.S.Bhuvaneshwari and her exemplary institute, Sri Mantralayam Gurukulam have been chasing this pursuit to bring a nobel change in the society
The Knowledge Review proudly shares highlights of an interview conducted with Dr. Bhuvaneshwari conveying her vision, goals, and an account of the commendable service to the nation.
Please tell us about your journey throughout the education sector right from the beginning of your career.
I started my career in a small play school in the year 1997. As I completed my masters in psychology, I got easily attached to children, which made me study more about child psychology. Eventually, I worked in different schools, following the different syllabi. I got to learn that each school works in a different manner, but the ultimate aim is the same, that is, the child scoring good marks or good results. This disturbed me as I felt that the child’s real talent was lost in the race to get good scores.
Every child is different and should get a chance to prove themselves; this made me more stubborn to bring out the hidden talent of every child, which will help them in their future.
What inspired you to step into the education industry? Who were your role models growing up?
I always felt what the school portrays and what happens inside the classroom is different. So I wanted to start my school where every child is treated according to their intelligence. In our school, we follow eight multiple intelligence. Each child is given different activities to develop their skills. I believe that education and life skills, vocational training, and extracurricular activities also help them be successful in life.
My biggest role model is the late Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu – J. Jayalalitha. Being a single woman despite so many hurdles in a male-dominated society, she stood for the rights of herself and the people, and second is myself. I feel that every struggle has taught me a lesson to take the next challenge in a positive way and change it into a success story.
Tell us about your esteemed institute and its mission, vision, and core values.
Sri Mantralayam Gurukulam is wholly for the underprivileged and differently-abled children. Its MISSION is to reach every nook and corner of villages in Tamil Nadu, where most of the talent is hidden. Past eight years, we have covered villages in and out of Madurai by providing free-of-cost stationaries, books, and education, including destitute women and women who are victims of domestic violence. I feel that every individual should be educated so that they can fight for their rights.
Our core values are that the future of India lies in the hands of youngsters, so it is essential for them to be aware of the rights and the wrongs, and it can only be learned through education.
What are the priorities of your institute in terms of course objectives and learning outcomes?
To give equal rights to differently-abled, needy, and underprivileged children. They should not be discriminated against in any way regarding cast, creed, or status. Each individual should be given equal rights in society. As India is a country where different religions and languages are used, it is vital to have educated politicians to have peace in the country.
This can happen only by education through a correct educational institute. And our priority has always been no discrimination. We admit to underprivileged and needy children because many institutes charge a higher amount and cater to the higher society. But our institute only caters to lower-class children to be good citizens tomorrow.
Kindly share your views regarding interactive, online educational content and how it redefines how we learn.
I have always felt that online class is not very interactive compared to offline classes as the children don’t interact with their peers or classmates. During offline classes, you can do group activities that make children participate, create empathy towards others, and help each other.
Online classes are challenging for differently-abled children, making them more aggressive and irritated. It becomes challenging for the mentor and the parent to take classes for these types of children. Online classes are making children less creative.
What are the biggest challenges and struggles faced by educators in general?
I always feel that each school or institute follows a different way of teaching. Sometimes the comparison between different institutes by parents makes it difficult for the educator to try any new teaching method. In fact, many schools are afraid even to try a new educational strategy as the parents do not accept that.
They feel that the new method of teaching will not work out. Parents are mainly worried about the marks and scores of the kid. This puts pressure on the educator and does not allow them to use new innovative methods of teaching, which will help the children learn differently.
Education is considered a tool of empowerment. What efforts do you and the institution take to ensure that education is provided to those who need it?
Yes, it is a tool of empowerment. At Sri Mantralayam Gurukulam, we have always taken care of the needy. The underprivileged children are educated to live and prosper in a society without discrimination.
Our aim has always been to educate women and girls who are victims of domestic violence or victim of rape so that they can live their life with dignity. Our institute always tries to reach every nook and corner of villages where people do not have access to a decent education.
Kindly mention any of your awards, accolades, and accreditations.
- ISA GLOBAL AWARDS
- TAMILNADU WOMEN ACHIEVER AWARD
- SOUTH INDIAN WOMEN ACHIEVER AWARD
- HUNAR FLAIR AND BUSINESS AWARD
- INSC AWARD FOR BEST PSYCHOLOGIST OF THE YEAR, MADURAI 2020
- INTERNATIONAL EDUCATOR AWARD
What advice can you give to those who want to step into the field of education?
Always be open to a change in the education sector. Learning is part of the profession as an educator. So keep on learning different methods as the generation is moving into technology. An educator should be ready to learn new techniques and always be one step ahead of the student.
Please share what lies ahead for you and your institution in the near future.
Sri Mantralayam Gurukulam is known all over Madurai and for our NGO work. We are proud to announce that we are the only institute in Madurai to give education to the underprivileged and needy free of cost. We have started to construct our building with a separate block for differently-abled children with a residential facility to learn different life skills on the campus and be safe.
