We asked her a few questions in an online interview in which she answered with utmost patience and grace. 

New Horizon Content Writer (NHCW): When did you realise that teaching was more than a profession for you? 

Radha Rajesh (RR): I joined NHPS thirteen years ago, and the first ten days was Orientation Programme for the teachers. On the first day of school, when the students came in, I was listening to the School’s Assembly for the first time as a teacher. It was overwhelming. I went to the first class assigned to me. It was a 6B class. The students wished me, “Good Morning Ma’am!” That was welcoming. By the end of that period, I knew it was homecoming for me. I knew I was consciously imprinting knowledge, and that was something a child would carry for a lifetime.  

NHCW: What does receiving the Teacher’s Award mean to you, personally and professionally? 

RR: Professionally, it is like the beginning and culmination of a journey and beginning of another with enormous responsibility. It has increased faith, not just for me, but for the entire teaching fraternity. Personally, I would always tag along with my husband at events, and this time around, (Giggles) he was tagging along with me. That was a special moment. 

NHCW: Can you tell us a bit about your career at NHPS? 

RR: NHPS has given me a career, an identity as a teacher. NHPS has been like a family supporting me each and every step of the way. Our principal, Ms. Anupama Sethi, our Chairman Sir, Dr. Mohan Manghnani, the staff and students, at home, my mother, my family all of them have supported me so immensely for me to be in this space. My son would tell me what students expected from teachers. That has also helped me immensely as it gave a student’s perspective.  

NHCW: Can you tell us about meeting Prime Minister Modiji? 

RR: We had a rehearsal for the Award ceremony. We needed to follow a lot of protocols. A lot of do’s and don’ts. I kept remembering the don’ts more. We got the message that the Prime Minister has invited us for High Tea. I was so overwhelmed. I got to sit in the first row, and I was so delighted. He entered, and my God! His presence! He had such an aura! I was trying to live deeply in the moment and paid close attention to what he was about to say. He told us, “It is my greatest privilege to have meet you teachers who are moulding the future generations.” He spoke about a period when we had the joint family system where the children had someone at home who would look after them if both parents went to work. Today, they feel alone. He told the teachers to find ways to make children never feel lonely at school. The forty-minute meeting went in the blink of an eye.  

NHCW: How has the Award changed your perspective on your role as a teacher?  

RR: The Award has made me think of ways and means to better myself. We should never stop learning. The thirst for learning has always been with me. Now I feel the thirst has become even more. We need to have the willingness to keep learning. Honing our skills is a lifelong process. We need to remain grounded. The challenges have now become greater, the responsibilities even greater, I feel I need to be more receptive to keep improving and going forward. The beauty about NHPS is that teachers are regularly given workshops to upgrade their skills. We stay up to date with things students find interesting to keep them engaged.  

NHCW: What changes would you like to see in the Indian Education System? 

RR: NEP 2020 and the Indian Knowledge System have brought a more developed approach to teaching. The syllabus is the same, but the teachers’ approach has evolved. NEP inspires us to recognise different talents and types of learners and gives children greater liberty in learning. 

As teachers, we should incorporate everyday learning into everyday teaching. Maybe have one bagless day a week! Children will come with excitement and enjoyment. Have an agenda, a structured and dynamic one. Incorporating this at least for the lower grades will make learning more joyful and rewarding. 

Incorporating history and geography is all about our personal experiences and the Indian context. It puts things into perspective and makes learning practical. Content development,  curriculum design and short reels, is also important. Take a concept and relate it to the Indian context through 20-second reels for the current generation. 

NHCW: Can you describe teaching in one word, Ma’am? 

RR: Fulfilment. I am embarking on a new journey with greater responsibilities. 

NHCW: Tell us what teachers now need to consciously do? 

RR: A teacher must be able to identify a child’s skills. Whether the child wants to make those skills into a career is a decision that a child will take much later in life but we teachers need to identify the skills of the students. We need to help the child identify their talents. Definitely, teachers are often doing above and beyond the call of duty.  

At NHPS, we have Life Skills Lab where a child learns sewing and cooking. We have plans to introduce carpentry. We regularly take the children to the playground, to field trips and help them make memories for life.  Just as our revered Chairman Sir, Dr. Mohan Manghnani guides us at the functions and meetings, we need to make our children become Job Providers rather than Job Seekers. That would help us realise the vision of Viksit Bharat. We need to move towards a nation where everything is possible. 

We, at NHEI are extremely proud of Ms. Radha Rajesh’s incredible achievement. She has now set the path for many teachers, not just at New Horizon but across the nation. We wish her hearty congratulations and great success moving forward.