KR Maalathi, Founder CEO of Aurro Educational Services, Chennai

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

Among the top three. All our problems and social disparities — poverty, unemployment, poor sanitation and hygiene, poor health and lifestyles, malnourishment, increasing criminality — are rooted in the national failure to universalise primary education.

How best to upgrade 1.6 million government anganwadis into preschools?

The establishment of anganwadis is one of the best government initiatives thus far. Anganwadis need to upgrade into preschools to give children a good start in life.

Thinker/philosopher you admire the most.

One of the most revered thinkers of my generation, Robin Sharma. Also educators J. Krishnamurti and Sri Aurobindo.

Your favourite Nobel laureate.

Our very own Dr. Amartya Sen. I find his work fascinating and pragmatic.

Your favourite book on education.

Deschooling Society (1971) by Ivan Ilich.

Your leadership style.

I strongly believe in taking people up the ladder and work on honing their leadership skills.

For or against the 25 percent private reservation for underprivileged children in schools?

For. But I’m far from satisfied with its implementation.

Should the education outlay be doubled by cutting defence expenditure?

No. Defence expenditure is vital to the stability of any country. Education expenditure needs to be increased, but there are other ways to do so.

How satisfied are you with the growth and development of Auuro Educational Services?

Very satisfied. In Auuro Edu, we run our own race and are not in competition with anybody.

Pessimistic or optimistic about the future of education in India?

Definitely optimistic. I see many fresh and talented minds stepping into the Indian educational scenario.

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