Education & Academia

Dr. Pradeep Kumawat, Igniting the Fire of Knowledge Into Young Minds of the Future

Director at Alok Senior Secondary Schooludaipur

Dr. Pradeep Kumawat is the Director of Alok Institutions. He is also a social leader and an Independent Director at Railway Energy Management, a Government of India Enterprise.

Pradeep is from the Chandpole area of the old Udaipur. He has many memorable memories from his childhood days. He used to play cricket and swim in lakes with friends. He says they had a small house, but their hearts were big, and even in adversity he enjoyed his childhood.

Pradeep’s career started early just after passing high school. He wanted to study in college. But his father asked him to join evening college and work in his father’s school. He worked as a PTI from 7.30 in the morning till 2 pm in the afternoon and then went to college. He says people only look at his lavish lifestyle today, his good clothes, his big cars but they do not know the struggle behind all the lavishness he is enjoying today. He says when you join an institution the biggest challenge is to adjust with the seniors and to prove yourself. After working as a PTI, he taught in primary classes, then in higher classes, then became the hostel warden, worked as an administrator and after 25 years of hard work he has now become the Director.

In his belief, if one has the vision, knowledge, and creativity, one can explore the field of education and become a teacher who is respected by students not just for his personality but for his vast knowledge. A teacher, according to him, must have knowledge of every sphere of life. Complete and multidimensional knowledge is required. One has to possess life skills as well as subject knowledge. He believes that one has to experience as many challenges in life to be a complete individual and be a guide to the future generation and encourage and motivate them to take up challenges, be intrepid and shape their careers inside and outside the classroom positively and innovatively.

According to him, education is very important in life. He says initially he used to think that Ph.D holders just hold degrees for the sake of it but then he realised that a Ph.D gives you an attitude of research in life. He thinks experience complements education. In his opinion, one learns from mistakes. Hence, making mistakes and learning from them is also an important aspect of life.

Pradeep is so fond of music he listens to it almost 24 hours a day.  Cycling is his favorite fitness activity.  He also possesses an interest in drone photography and men’s fashion. He also likes writing books and even wrote a book on his mistakes and another book on his father as the educator who shaped many lives by revolutionizing the education sector in Rajasthan. He is also a laughter guru and conducts laughter sessions for the general public. He has a deep belief in God and he prays daily. He believes, parallel to spiritualism, life is also meant to be enjoyed with its physical pleasures and grandeur.

If he could go back in time and change something, he says he wants to become a girl and see life from a girl’s perspective as well. He would love to revisit the days of his mischievous childhood.

Talking about leadership, he says, inspired by his father, he was a born leader. He has carved his special place in society. He likes to read the biographies of leaders and influential personalities. He imbibes their positive qualities in his life.

His father, Shyam lal ji Kumawat, is his role model. When they were not even able to make two ends meet, he started Alok School from a single room which has now grown into an empire of several schools spread over Udaipur, Rajsamand and Chittorgarh. Combined with his perseverance, determination, and his humble personality, his life motivated Pradeep to a great extent and he tries his best to follow in the footsteps of his father. Pradeep is also inspired by Swami Vivekanand.

Pradeep’s message is that you shall always dream, be the dreams be big or small. Live life with fun and never let the child inside you die.