Managing director of the NSS Hill Spring International School, Mumbai and honorary superintendent of the Nagrik Shikshan Sanstha 

Where would you place education on your national list of priorities?
Its rightful place is at the top of the national agenda of priorities.  

How best to upgrade government schools?
Activities such as sharing academic and non-academic resources of every private school with government schools, will surely help.

Thinker/philosopher you admire the most.
Acharya Chanakya — the remarkable 4th century BCE sage, philosopher, educationist, administrator, strategist and economist.

Your favourite Nobel laureate.
Malala Yousafzai — the youngest-ever Nobel laureate. 

Your leadership style.
Democratic. I believe in involving subordinates in the process of decision-making, even though I accept the final responsibility for consequences.  

Your favourite book on education. 
Chanakya Niti by Acharya Chanakya. 

For or against the RTE Act’s 25 percent reservation for underprivileged children in private schools?
Implementation of the RTE Act’s 25 percent reservation for underprivileged children in private schools needs a more practical approach.
    
Should the education outlay be doubled by cutting defence expenditure?
The annual outlays for education are sufficient. Implementation and execution of projects is the problem.

How satisfied are you with the growth and development of NSS Hill Spring International, Mumbai and Nagrik Shikshan Sanstha?
I am very happy and proud to witness that both these organisations have established unique identities in the field of education.

Pessimistic or optimistic about the future of education in India?
Very optimistic. Every day, more and more people across India have started understanding the true value of education.