Exclusive Interview with Shri Reetaben Pandit - Principal of LBS new

Interview With : Shri Reetaben Pandit
Date : 6th November 2009
Venue : Lal Bahadur Shashtri Vidhyalaya, Rajkot.
Date of Birth : 12-2-1955
Interview Time : 12:45 AM
Interviewed by : Reena Sodha
Photography by : Shriram Devmurari

Hobbies: Music, Reading, Cooking, Knitting, N.C.C.
Favorite Author:  Steve
Favorite book:  Raise The Titanic
Favorite vacation spot: Hill stations
Favorite place in Rajkot:  My Sweet Home

From which school/college you took your education?
education - Ajmer, Graduation - Jamnagar, M.Sc. B.Ed - Rajkot.

Kindly narrate your journey to principalship
I joined this institution in the year 1984. At that time I served as a teacher of the subject of physiology, in science stream through English medium. I have been elevated to the position of Principal from the year 2004.

Who inspired you to come to this field?
After conclusion of MSc., I had an urge to go for medical science. However on account of my father’s demise it could not become possible. As such I preferred this career. Now I am fully satisfied in this field, since I can discharge my responsibility with 100% devotion of time.

What according to you, may be considered definition of the success? Do you regard yourself as a successful individual?
Hard Labor (diligence) and self confidence can be termed as synonym to the success because no one can achieve success over night. I regard myself as an achiever of 60% success since I do not get the students having qualities of my expectation. The foundation (base) of the students coming from other schools is usually weak. As such their development could not be adequately achieved.

Kindly state your achievements.
1. Won the N.C.C‘s award of Gujarat State best cadet in the year 1978.
2. Represented Gujarat State in parade at Delhi.
3. I have taken part in sports of badminton and cricket at State level.

Which short of music do you prefer to listen?
I prefer old songs and especially those sung by Ashaji are very liked by me.

Your Opinion about people of Gujarat please.
Gujarat’s people are emotional and kind hearted. However, one aspect of people of Gujarat which is not liked by me is their disliking towards English language. Every language has its own importance in its own way. English being an international language, it can be useful to everyone. The reason behind 100% education among the people of Kerala is that they attach equal importance to every language. If the people of Gujarat bear in mind only this perspective then there is no other (State’s) people in the world who can excel them.

What opinion do you hold with regards to the question of Gujarati versus English language?
Every expression – tongue language is a language. All languages command equal importance. People of other States, regards Gujaratis as eaters of “Gathiya and Jalebi”. Really we are very much grieved at this belief. Every Gujarati should learn English language as they learn other language. Only on account of absence of this notion in Gujarati people that they are not able to achieve required growth fully.

Your views regarding self Finance and Tuition please.
On account of inception of self finance schools, the government school has suffered a lot. Guardians also hold the view that the thing which is costly is a good one. In reality this is not so as they conceive. On account of self finance system, the commercialization in education gets increased. Government should grant limited permissions for such schools.

What remedy do you propose for prevention of commercialization of education?
In order to restrict this situation to grow, the students and teachers shall have to remain alert.

What reasons do you attribute for the students turning to overseas countries for higher education?
Indian students feel that, they will not have any prospects in India. Moreover this situation would have taken place on account of reservation quotas, because students do not get admission in good schools. The students eligible (coming within preview of) for reservation may be given books or education free of cost. This state of affairs causes the students of open category to suffer much.

Your views regarding grading system please.
Grading and marking systems are one only. The present situation will not change. Only the meaning of system will change. Burden of the students will reduce.

Which short of education may be regarded as a highest (quality) education?
The education not restricted only within four walls of schools and colleges, but aimed at whole world, can be regarded as higher education. The education which is comprehensive and developing that only can be said higher education. Such education should be conducive to the mental development.

How your competence has proved useful to the organization?
After my induction in this school, I started group prayer in the school. Limitations imposed on the affairs of library were removed, and thereby the students were made to read good and useful books. One separate period is also allocated for reading Cultural programs are got performed, so that the children are educated to live in group.

Your views about our politics please.
I have no specific interest in politics. However, I would like to state, it is necessary that, in education the politics should not be allowed to enter, which to some extent has already entered.

What you have to say regarding city-guide?
City guide provides all shorts of information regarding Rajkot. Even the people residing in Rajkot, itself shall not have the information regarding Rajkot. All such information are provided by city guide. Visitors, coming to Rajkot can utilize the information of city guide as their “GUIDE”.