Where would you place education on your national list of priorities?

Although education should be the top priority, in a country of a billion people where more than 20 percent of the population struggles to get a square meal, education takes a back seat. 

How best to upgrade government schools?

I believe the public-private-partnership (PPP) model is the way to go.

Thinker/philosopher you admire the most.

Aristotle comes first to mind.

Your favourite Nobel laureate.
Malala Yousafzai. I think her story is quite incredible.
 
Your leadership style.
I am a team player and a believer in empowering people — communicating clearly,  delegating and sharing accountability.

Your favourite book on education.

I rarely read books. However, I read an article online earlier this year about how technology-driven education has bridged the school-home gap through mobile phones. 

For or against the RTE Act’s 25 percent reservation for underprivileged children in private schools?

I support the Act and we were among the first to embrace it. 

Should the education outlay be doubled by cutting defence expenditure?

We need a right balance of all — education, defence, healthcare, sustainability etc. I can only hope that we move to a safer, healthier social order.

How satisfied are you with the growth and development of the Central Academy group of schools?

We are an unfolding story. But that is not to say I am dissatisfied with where we are. Our staff and faculty who work tirelessly, are our greatest asset.

Pessimistic or optimistic about the future of education in India? 

Very optimistic. The coming decade augurs well in terms of teacher-student interaction; classrooms will be more inclusive and child-centric; technology will become easily accessible and as a result, the quality of education will improve.