A Little Faith Goes a Long Way

I still remember the day I walked into Akanksha’s Yuvati Sharan Centre in Mumbai. The kids were saying a prayer, God's Love, with such sincerity and joy that it moved me. I decided almost immediately that this is what I would like to do. My intent was to give back, but I quickly realised that I was the one receiving. At a time when I was dealing with personal challenges that felt overwhelming, these children put everything into perspective.

I started as a teacher in 2006 and spent five years in that role. Alongside teaching, I also became an Assistant Education Manager, working with teachers across centres. Those early years shaped me deeply not just as an educator, but as a person. 

In 2011, I transitioned into the school project with Sitaram School in Mumbai. We began small—just Junior KG to Grade 1—but with a clear, simple vision: to give our children the same opportunities and exposure that I would want for my own.

Over the years, while the school has grown in size, our core values have remained unchanged. We focus equally on academics and holistic development. One of the earliest pieces of feedback we received was that our children were capable but lacked confidence. We took that very seriously. By consistently exposing them to new experiences like assemblies, external programs, and competitions we saw a remarkable shift. Today, even our youngest students can stand up and speak with confidence.

A big part of our evolution has been integrating technology meaningfully. Our partnership with Apple Inc. began in 2015. Initially, we were nervous that the children would break the iPads – even holding them felt daunting. But with the support of trainers we learned to use technology as a tool. The focus was on both intangible outcomes like confidence, curiosity, and creativity, as well as tangible measures, without any external pressure. Students began creating visual autobiographies using iMovie, producing news reports with green screens, and documenting learning through audio and video. Even our youngest learners used simple tools to build phonics skills or document family stories. When Tim Cook (former Apple CEO) visited our school in 2023, we got a rare opportunity to showcase how we are using technology to deepen learning.     

At the same time, our academic rigour has always remained strong. We are very clear about expectations—every teacher, including me, has defined deliverables. For instance, we introduced case studies as a key teacher deliverable, where educators demonstrate how they integrate technology into learning, alongside non-tech case studies to ensure that traditional teaching methods remain equally valued.

We also have a strong culture of sharing best practices. Documentation and evidence are central to us at Akanksha, whether it is through student portfolios, performance tasks, tech projects, or personalised learning journeys. Everything is supported by recordings, photos, and written reflections stored on a shared school drive to enable peer learning. 

One of our core principles is leading by example. So we step into classrooms, co-teach, and demonstrate, whether it is completing a case study or designing a performance task.

This approach has naturally set a high bar. One of our proudest achievements is our Grade 10 results. Of the six batches that have graduated, three batches scored first class and above, with more than two-thirds achieving distinction. For us, this is significant—not just as a metric, but as proof that our children can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best.

What stays with me most are the small moments—the rituals. Before their Board exams, the children visit the school where I give them a pinch of sugar, for good luck. This is a way of ensuring that they do not miss the exam. Our teachers go the extra mile, quite literally, even visiting the centre for every Board exam paper, to ensure every child arrives on time and is fine. These are the things that define us. 

Twenty years later, I can say this with certainty: I came here to give. But it is these children, this journey, and this community that have given me far more than I could have ever imagined.