Interviews

“Approximately 15 private universities have been established, and around 10 more have received Letters of Intent” said Shri Yogendra Upadhyay, Hon’ble Minister of Higher Education, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh Highlight some of the major achievements or policies that your department has drafted? In Uttar Pradesh, particularly in higher education, significant progress has been made. There were six regions in the state where there was no government university, and the education system was not up to the mark. However, since the Yogi government came into power, the education system has developed based on the National Education Policy (NEP). There has been a focus on both the quality of education and its expansion. Today, approximately 15 private universities have been established, and around 10 more have received Letters of Intent (LOI). In the six regions that previously had no government universities, either universities are already operational or are under construction within two years. This is a significant achievement, and the quality of education has improved, with several universities receiving high grades, both government and private. What is Uttar Pradesh’s contribution to urban and rural education, and how is it progressing? Urban education is advancing everywhere, but under the guidance of Yogi Ji, a new education policy is being prepared to expand rural education. The goal is to establish a university in every district, ensuring that even the most remote areas have access to higher education. Incentives and facilities will be provided to support the establishment of new universities in these regions. What provisions are there in government universities for employment or employability? The NEP clearly states that all courses and programs will connect education with values, employment, and technology. When education is linked with technology and employment, and when it provides skills, it will not only create job opportunities but also generate employers. The establishment of new universities also brings employment opportunities, from peons to chancellors. Therefore, education that fosters employment will be provided. What does the term “New Normal” mean to you? The “New Normal” refers to how we can introduce innovation in a regular environment, enabling future generations to compete in the global race. What outcomes do you expect from such an amalgamation, and how has your experience been? This event is a confluence where people from various sectors have gathered. When such a brainstorming session occurs, it produces valuable insights that can benefit society. Would you like to say something special about us on the third anniversary of our organization? I wish you all the best for completing three years of this initiative. I hope your organization continues to thrive and serve society and the nation in the coming years. This should be our collective purpose.

“The first question I always ask is, “Why do you want to take our franchise? What is your vision?”” Said Dr. S. K. Rathor, Chairman & MD, Sanfort Group of Schools What are your thoughts on institutions offering pre-school education, especially with the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020? I don’t have a problem with such institutions, but my submission is that if anyone is opening a pre-school, they should be very serious about their profession. Now that pre-school education is part of the formal school education setup, especially after the National Education Policy 2020 has come into effect, everyone must comply with state norms for opening pre-schools. Quality pre-school education is now mandatory. What would be the foundational steps and guidelines for someone wanting to enter this serious business? When anyone plans to start a new venture, like how we started 24 years ago, the key question is, “Why should we enter this particular profession?” For instance, when we decided to start a pre-school, we thought about the purpose behind it. Back then, not many people knew about pre-school education. But we knew that teaching 2-3-year-old kids would make them smarter and prepare them better for their educational journey. So, if someone is entering this business out of fascination or because they see it as profitable, that shouldn’t be the purpose. The goal should be to deliver quality pre-school education. What are the key points you would guide someone with if they want to take a franchise of your brand? The first question I always ask is, “Why do you want to take our franchise? What is your vision?” It’s important that their thought process aligns with our philosophy. We are very selective in franchising; we don’t chase numbers. Our focus is on ensuring that whoever takes our franchise fully embraces our philosophy in both word and action, delivering quality early childhood education. How important are health, discipline, and hygiene in this industry? What’s the secret behind your physical and mental health well? There’s no secret. People often ask me how many hours I work, and I say I work for about 8 hours a day, but I work sincerely. After 6 PM, no one is at the office. I give the same environment to my team as well—focus on fitness in the morning, work during the day, and spend time with family in the evening. If anyone follows this routine, they’ll find that their profession, business, or job performs well, their body stays fit, and their family remains happy. What do you think is the outcome of forums like this one where government, education, and corporate sectors come together? I’m very happy to hear from the Minister of Higher Education for Uttar Pradesh. The kind of change I’ve seen in the state, especially in education, is tremendous. When ministers and bureaucrats start talking about outcomes, society will automatically see change. I’ve witnessed a remarkable environment in UP since Yogi Ji came into power, especially in education. It’s crucial that the educational infrastructure in a state as big as UP is strong, and when the focus is on outcome-based education, the results will follow. We are celebrating our third anniversary, do you have any message for ArdorComm Media Group? I’ve been a witness to your journey from the start, and though I can’t attend all your events, I’m always impressed by your work. You’re doing fantastic work, especially in smaller towns where big media houses don’t usually go. This creates opportunities for people in those areas. Keep this momentum going, don’t lose yourself in the crowd. Even if profits from smaller towns aren’t as high, remember you’re also doing social work. It’s an honor and pleasure to be associated with your events, and I wish you all the best. Keep up the good work!