FWM: Starting at a young age your method of teaching was revolutionary. Share your experience.
My teaching focuses on learning through team spirit and gamification. I want to learn to be a memorable experience for my students, I want them to enjoy what they are learning. I would always think about creative methods to engage and motivate my students. Sometimes on a nice sunny day, I would have classes in the garden; for ‘case discussion’ I would choose more informal places like a terrace or coffee room where students could express freely. Almost 17 years ago, I was the first lecturer in my college to ‘introduce beamers’ in classrooms. At that time it was just used for important conferences and not everyday teaching…I use different learning platforms for teaching which are highly interactive. I ‘create my own quizzes’ with a timer, which encourages students to learn at their own pace. They can do those quizzes multiple times for revision and thus improving their score. ‘Role playing’ is another technique that I use very often during my lectures, as students understand better.
FWM: You are acclaimed as a powerful speaker on Emotional Intelligence & Women Empowerment. Why are you sought after as a speaker?
It’s indeed an honor to be acclaimed as a powerful Speaker on Emotional Intelligence and Women Empowerment in the global market. I have been working consistently on these two areas for a few years; I am very passionate about it! ‘Actions speak louder than words’ – in my case, it is very rightly proved! I connect emotionally with my audience, I talk directly with my heart. I don’t believe in having followers, I want to have meaningful networks of people who support each other. I can proudly say that I have spoken on some highly prestigious platforms internationally like – United Nations Geneva, Kingdom of Bahrain, Indian Institute of Management in Lucknow, World Music Conference in Birmingham UK, 7th Swiss Congress at Zurich, World Radio Switzerland, Women Economic forum India, Portugal and Amsterdam. When you speak what you are passionate about, it is very real – that is what clicks with the people instantly!
As a Vice-President of Global Goodwill Ambassador, I have initiated a humanitarian Certificate Program on Women Empowerment & Emotional Intelligence. People across the world are following my talks and courses. I feel accomplished when they write to me to seek advice, to ask for guidance, and to mentor them.
FWM: Tell us about being appointed, Academic Dean of a prestigious girl boarding school in Switzerland. How did it challenge you professionally?
I was highly honored to be appointed as the Academic Dean of a prestigious Girls Boarding school in Switzerland! According to the most thematic Spiderman quote -“with great power comes great responsibility” it was indeed a big challenge to resume this role at such a young age, I was under 30 years old. Professionally, I had to work almost double to be noticed in a male-dominated business management industry. Even-though English was the medium of instruction, the majority of my co-workers spoke French and had a good cultural understanding therefore I felt like an outsider. My way of teaching as well as managing the students was very different from theirs. I was always close to my students, felt empathy towards them whereas the rest wanted to keep a formal distance between teacher & taught.
It was not easy to introduce technology in teaching, as most of the teachers were used to books & blackboard. They felt I was making their method of teaching complicated, they did not like it at all in the beginning. Gradually with training, they understood – they just have to work hard initially to revise their curriculum, feed in the system & later they could just modify as per needs of their students. They started feeling comfortable & enjoying it when they noticed the difference in student’s engagement in the classrooms. I had to co-create many ice-breaker sessions with my staff to understand their point of view, the cultural differences, business etiquettes & inculcate my innovative methods in teaching.
FWM: You are the Founder of Indo-Swiss Cultural Network – “To inculcate values of the rich Indian culture. Why is this important to you?
The rich Indian culture is our heritage! As a founder of Indo-Swiss Cultural Network, I want to continue this legacy…the objective is to promote healthy cultural integration for our future generations! I want to help the Indian community living in Switzerland to adapt & adjust with Swiss norms as well as carry forward their own traditional culture. Educate our kids and adults with positive points from both the cultures, Indian & Swiss and live happily. It is very important for me especially living away from my motherland, to keep connected to our roots. As a mother, initially, I was following certain rituals just with my family so that my children are aware of their cultural norms. But gradually I felt the need to do it at a higher level to educate the global society. I started sharing more about national festivals, beautiful cities, special food, national heroes & heroines of both countries to make it more meaningful. I am trying to create a bridge to help members from both communities and highlight great things from respective countries.
FWM: As an Ambassador of Peace, Women Federation of World Peace & Universal Peace Federation (UPF) affiliation of United Nations, what are your goals for the future?
As an Ambassador of Peace, I would work consistently with my team of enthusiastic individuals towards sustainable development goals. I shall focus more on SDG 4, (Quality Education) & SDG 16 (Peace & Justice). I would be actively participating in conducting webinars & workshops on cultural diversity & inclusion to create awareness about our projects. Join hands with other social organizations for meaningful collaborations in specific fields.
FWM: Tell us about your recent venture, RAY Academy Swiss – Re-Invent the Awesome You. “Education – A continuous mission of my life”
RAY Academy Swiss – Re-Invent the Awesome You, is my latest venture – a humble initiative to help people in personality development & make speaking fun! I want to help people build confidence, give them a voice & create an Impact! I have been conducting workshops, training sessions, webinars to create awareness about different topics like Education, Cultural Diversity, Human Values, Building confidence, Public Speaking, Emotional Intelligence & Women Empowerment! I initiated special movements like – Global Inspirational Women and Global Inspirational Men – taking video interviews of inspirational people and sharing their stories through my Youtube channel
During Covid19, I initiated Whizz Kids Series a special movement for Kids empowerment to give them a safe environment to express their opinion! Provide our kids with wonder wings & a virtual platform to express their voice! It was very successful, kids, as well as their parents, were happy & pleasantly surprised! The kids felt valued while giving their opinion on the education system during lockdown & sharing their different activities at home.
FWM: Who inspires you? Who would you like to meet?
My mother Mrs. Santosh Bakshi is my inspiration! Coming from a big family of 8 siblings, supporting her young widow mother, my mum shines like a bright star! She always handled all her personal as well as professional situations meticulously…While growing up I don’t remember my mother ever raising her voice to get things done from me or my sister. She would guide us and nurture us with love when my father would be away traveling for work! She has been a strong pillar of support in my journey!
I would love to meet Mr. Narendra Modi ji, the Prime Minister of India someday… He is truly a revolutionary leader – who is working tirelessly for the betterment of his people & nation! He is a great inspiration to the whole world!
FWM: What does Utopia look like to you?
Utopia can be described as a state of mind, community, or society where everything is perfect, there is no inequality and everyone is equal. I wish we live in such a society where everyone loves, helps & respects each other. A community where there is zero hunger, people live without fear, everyone follows the rules & regulations honestly. However, in reality, there is no such thing as perfection, even though we all aspire for it! I believe we all can work together to create a society, which is close to utopian…but then economically there will always be scarcity of certain resources, people will fight for food, some people will break rules if there needs are not fulfilled.
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