Commodore H. G. Harsha
Chairman,
Sri Sri Ravishankar Vidya Mandir Trust (A unit of the Art of Living)
Commodore H. G. Harsha is an Electronic Engineer with a dual Masters in Science and Management. He served the Indian Navy on Nuclear Submarine and Aircraft Carrier in various capacities, before retiring in 2008 as Principal Director at Naval Headquarters, New Delhi. Since then, his contribution to the mainstream society has been an eclectic mix of responsibilities in the corporate realm as well as in the social and developmental sector.
Commodore Harsha worked with the Tata Consultancy Services for ten years as a Functional Domain Consultant. He was instrumental in the design, development, integration and testing of control systems for Nuclear Submarines.
He has actively been involved with the Art of Living activities since 2001. He has held key positions in the operations, IT and administration. He was also instrumental in the design and implementation of mobile and web-based applications for national outreach being used by over 20,000+ Teachers.
He is involved in numerous social projects including river rejuvenation; model villages in collaboration with various state governments; sanitation, natural resource management, education in rural India and women empowerment.
1. The SSRVM Group is instituting awards for teachers. Can you tell us more about this?
The SSRVM Group is instituting Sri Sri awards for schools and teachers to encourage recognition of holistic education in our educational landscape. The need to inculcate human values in education, to make good global citizens who are fully entrenched in the ancient wisdom of Bharat is immense and absolutely essential. Some of the aspects considered for the same are:
To recognise and acknowledge excellence, effort and progress in the field of education across educational institutions in India.
To empower and promote institutions that focus on holistic development beyond the parameters of academics and those that deploy the potential of innovative practices and experiments for the improvement of teaching and learning.
To encourage institutions that involve their parents and other stakeholders in policy making and its education.
To recognise and acknowledge the schools which make their students’ transition smooth from school to career.
To felicitate schools that promote ancient wisdom as well as modern strategies of 21st Century Skills in students.
To recognise and acknowledge schools that promote spirituality, have an environment friendly culture, human values and peace education.
To honour schools that promote the leadership skills, social and emotional development of students.
2. You are an institution that constantly looks at creating leaders. Any advice for schools looking to scale?
When you are a leader, do not stop being a student or disciple, else you will lose something very precious.
For schools looking to scale, students can be encouraged to work in teams and take on projects. Such projects allow opportunities to learn new ways of working as a team and come up with solutions. Social projects teach children to be good leaders and also enables them to experience compassion.
Gurudev says - A good leader creates leaders, not followers.
It is very important for a leader to set an example.
3. Teacher wellness is an important aspect you look at. What according to you are steps schools should take towards a teacher’s mental and physical wellness?
Teachers should practice yoga, breathing techniques and meditation every day.
Follow good diet to keep the mind calm. Preferably vegetarian diet.
Be guided by the ayurvedic principles of Dinacharya.
Regular upskilling programs to be conducted for the teachers.
Teachers to collaborate and network with peer communities to be updated on current trends.
4. Innovation and creativity in classrooms are huge focus areas for schools. Can you, with your vast experience, lend us into what you think can be a good approach?
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar says, “Deep Silence is the mother of creativity.” No creativity can come out of one who is busy, worried, over-ambitious or lethargic.
a. For deep silence, students and teachers should meditate everyday
b. Schools to encourage out of box thinking and assignment formats
c. Incorporate humour in classrooms
d. Create environment for students to self-reflect
e. Freedom is very necessary to allow for innovation
f. Encourage students to imagine and express their ideas
5. Your message for teachers for Teachers’ Day…
On the occasion of the Teachers Day, I would like to congratulate all the teachers for noble tasks that they have embarked upon. You are moulding the future of this country and the world. It is a huge responsibility and one can honourably discharge it by focussing on your inner growth and stability.
Complete transfer of knowledge to the students can happen only when there is commitment. Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar ji says that clarity in mind, purity in heart and sincerity in action is the key to enable individual to attain their full potential. Best wishes.
Jai Hind.
Jai Gurudev.
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