Rakesh changed his ways and switched from Science to Drawing in order to live his passion for art and drawing.

Rakesh Kumar Sharma is a drawing teacher at a Government Senior Secondary School. He has been teaching at the school since 2015.

Speaking about his professional journey, Rakesh says that he began as a third grade teacher in 2005, and in 2014, he was promoted to a Science teacher. But during that time, Rakesh cleared the RPSC exam and got selected as a Drawing lecturer.

Recalling his childhood, Rakesh shares that he spent his early days in a village. His father was a teacher, and he was a drawing enthusiast. Rakesh reminisces about drawing art on the floors of his home and rejoicing in the moment. Rakesh says that he gained interest in studying only in the 6th grade. Reading children's stories made him curious about studying at school.

Thereafter, Rakesh did his B.Sc. in Biology, followed by an M.Sc. in Chemistry. He later did a B. Ed., following which he got a job as a third-grade teacher. While in the position, Rakesh often missed his passion for drawing and hoped he could pursue it rather than working in a science stream. So, he decided to take the plunge and looked for ways to get into drawing. Thereafter, Rakesh privately pursued his MA in Drawing and was lucky enough to find a place as a drawing teacher in a government school.

Speaking about his achievements, Rakesh says that he topped his 10th and 12th grades, which he feels happy about. He also cleared the lectureship exam and got first rank in Rajasthan.

When asked about his mistakes, Rakesh says that he made a mistake on the career front, thinking that there cannot be a career in the field of the arts. Everyone suggested that he pursue drawing as a hobby and use his intelligence in the science stream. Influenced by them, Rakesh took up science and, in his desire to become a doctor, failed twice in the PMT. Soon he realised that medicine was not his calling and that he should get back to drawing. But the ideologies of people always overpowered his decision to pursue his passion.

Rakesh always attempts to make drawing interesting to students and encourages them to pursue a career in this field. He has conducted cultural exchange programmes in art and culture, which he feels are a great platform to display and know one’s art and creativity.

Talking about his role models, Rakesh says he draws inspiration from Bijay Biswaal, who was once in the railways and is now counted among India’s renowned artists.

When under stress, Rakesh paints to calm himself and experience peace. He also studies and does meditation to feel relaxed and happy.

His life mantra is to live life happily and instil good, positive thoughts in oneself.