Dr. Akhilesh Patidar believes that education should go beyond books and prepare students to become confident, skilled, and ready for the future. He works to combine modern learning with strong cultural values. He believes that discipline and right guidance can turn simple efforts into great success.

Akhilesh Patidar is the Principal of Paramount Academy Kasrawad.

He joined the institution in 2006 when he was appointed in various academic positions including TRT, TGT, and PGT before becoming the Principal in 2016. He also contributes to the collaborative educational development in the area as the Chairman of the CBSE Schools Group in Khargone and Chairman of the Narmada Sahodaya Schools Cluster in addition to his duties in the academy.

According to Principal Akhilesh Patidar, his first priority is to introduce the new National Education Policy and strategies offered by the government, which are expected to work towards the improvement of the economy of the country and the enhancement of the speed of its development. In his opinion, education should be in line with national development. But he also stresses that the issue of modernization must never undermine students with their diverse cultural and linguistic background.

Principal Patidar says that it is the reason why the school uses a teaching method which commences in the mother tongue of the students and slowly enhances the proficiency in English. He explains that clarity grows when the students initially internalize the concepts in their own mother language and learning becomes natural as opposed to being imposed. In his opinion, language is not supposed to cause pressure, rather it is supposed to bring confidence.

He also says that Paramount Academy Kasrawad, Khargone Road is geared towards a holistic development of the students. Mere academic knowledge is inadequate in a world in which the conventional job setups are constantly changing. According to him, the future could be characterized by reduced job opportunities in the traditional sense and thus, students should be prepared to make their own job opportunities. The institution nurtures talents, confidence, and entrepreneurship mindset to ensure that students become job creators and not job seekers.

Principal Patidar considerably insists on the necessity to learn Artificial Intelligence in the modern age. He claims that the society is already under the period when AI is shaping daily activities, sectors, and the workplace future. This transformation should not be ignored as it would mean falling behind.

He says that the school makes sure that the concepts of AI are presented in a creative manner as early as in nursery level itself to ensure that children are brought up viewing technology as a friend and not as an enemy. His reasoning is that it fosters interest in technology at an early age and that fear is eradicated.

Educator Akhilesh Patidar shares that one of the incubated startups of IIT Bombay already has a Class 3 student working in Venture Logistics, and how organized mentorship can bring incredible potential even in a young child. In the case of senior classes, the skill-training programs organized by the CBSE are structured in such a way that the required AI-related competencies are developed.

Also, he expands the horizons of students in terms of career decisions. He is categorical that education shall not be limited to students being just doctors or engineers. He says that with new career opportunities, including Content Creation and new professions (AI Generalists) as professions who command, control and optimize AI technologies. The curriculum already has Skill based subjects such as Healthcare and in the near future, Entrepreneurship will be introduced so as to develop a Discipline of Business acumen and leadership in the students.

Quoting international agencies, such as the World Health Organization and UNICEF regarding the possible gaps in careers in the future, he emphasises the need for self-employment and education with skills as stability factors.

Reflecting on his early years, Dr. Akhilesh Patidar recalls that he was born in Kasrawad and it is his good fortune that he is serving the same soil which moulded his boyhood. He was born in a financially weak family and is not hesitant in accepting the unending sacrifices his parents made to guarantee that he would even be in school in Kasrawad, Madhya Pradesh.

He says that he had a dream of being an engineer but he could not undertake the engineering career due to financial constraints. Instead of giving up on the situation, he went to Khargone where he did a B.Sc. in Mathematics with the hope to teach mathematics. He had a plan of becoming a mathematics teacher but things led him to the path of starting as a Sanskrit teacher. He took the opportunity and proceeded to teach Sanskrit and gradually pursued his learning.

In 2006 he was selected in the Government as a Shastriya Lecturer and as a Sub-Inspector. Principal Akhilesh, however, says he rejected both offers since he did not wish to have an ordinary desk job. He wanted to create something valuable that he could construct himself and work with the people directly, not being locked in the office.

Akhilesh Patidar says that in 2006, he got enrolled at Paramount Academy, which he refers to as a life changing period of development and education. He did schooling in Hindi medium but took M.A. exams in English. He was insistent in enhancing his knowledge base in education and he finished B.Ed., M.Sc., and M.Ed. and is now doing a Ph.D. He also says that he will be studying D.El.Ed. He is also committed to self-improvement and is determined to read at least one book every month by spending at least half an hour a day on reading.

Talking about his role models, Principal Akhilesh says that in his early years he read about great personalities and took inspiration from their hardships and achievements. He looks deep into the spiritual inspiration of Maa Narmada. Looking at the flowing river in quiet continuous movement, he gets to know that significant work should go on smoothly and in a linear manner, without being loud and proud.

In his opinion, the target of real service is not applause but impact. He is also inspired by those who have emerged out of hardship by perseverance and that struggle could also be elevated to strengths in case one is determined to face it.

Dr. Akhilesh remembers living in financial difficulties during his early years. He did not have textbooks and uniforms in his school days. At night his friends would give him their books and he would gather their books at 9.30 PM, read until 3 or 4 AM and return them back before morning classes. He loved mathematics immensely and this is how he cracked the problems in the notebooks of his friends, teaching them the answers which led to enhancing his knowledge and self-assurance.

Further, he also had to work in fields to earn his living. He got a school shirt as a gift from a generous person from Chalisgaon, Maharashtra. Since the shirt had a white spot that was conspicuous, his peers would conceal him in case of being embarrassed in the assembly. He also did newspaper deliveries and ration deliveries in college time, worked in garment shops & truck-loading agencies in order to manage costs.

Dr. Akhilesh Patidar says that he never perceived those moments as a burden, but rather as a foundation, which contributed to his resilience, humility and inner strength.

He narrates a moving experience in his M.Ed. test when his wife was admitted in hospital in the state of pregnancy. He showed dedication to both the family and education, though the emotional strain made him show up at the examination with his wife’s encouragement and support.

Principal Akhilesh explains that Paramount Academy faced a lot of problems in its early days. Nevertheless, hard work and struggle slowly made him realize the appreciation and recognition of renowned leaders such as Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi , former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan, former Governor of Madhya Pradesh Shrimati Anandiben Patel and the Chief of RSS Shri Mohan Bhagwat.

He shares that Shrimati Anandiben Patel honoured the students of Paramount Academy in Ujjain. He says that the school is also committed to inclusive and equitable learning since the institution offers free education to Adivasi students of an Ashram.

Giving his Favorite quotes Principal Akhilesh reads one of the lines from Ramcharitmanas.

‘भय बिनु होई न प्रीति’

He derives this as the value of responsibility and conscience. He recommends that students should be free to give an account of what they do in their day-to-day lives to their fathers. When one is afraid to be honest, it is an indication of evil. When a person speaks without having any fear, it shows integrity and righteousness.

Principal Akhilesh advises the students that being young means working without fear and working 24/7. The perspiration which is expended today is the comfort of tomorrow. The struggle turns into a warm friend now and old age turns into pride but not a regret.

He stresses physical fitness saying that at the age of 43 years he is cured of any form of illness because he spends two hours in the morning working on his health. He preaches a strict life, saying that only discipline can bring excellence. He encourages everyone to lead the people who are lost and to be of use to everyone.

Principal of Paramount Academy, Akhilesh Patidar also advises parents by saying that the way a seed needs the right attention to transform into a healthy plant, children need time, participation and focus also. Parents will have to ensure that they meet with the teachers often and take an active part in the development of their children.

To the citizens, he advises that national development requires efforts that are not restricted. It is necessary to encourage individuals who do not feel good and spread positive experiences freely.

He explains that just as Arjuna sought knowledge to win and sages tutored Lord Rama with wisdom, modern people should use technology in a responsible manner. Technology and Artificial Intelligence, like other technologies, may be destructive or constructive depending on the person using it.

Eventually he says that individuals who learn how to control and direct AI will open new possibilities. With reference to a wise response, he tells us how technology only replaces those who do not want to learn it.

Principal Akhilesh keeps on stressing that there is nothing to be afraid of technology but one should adopt technology without fear.