Mahesh Dhakariya, Gurudev Public School, Chhindwara, MP
How Gurudev Pub School started
“I found my student in a hospital working as a nurse, which made me very proud.” Mahesh Dhakariya reflected on his students’ success as he began to share his journey in building Gurudev Pub School.
Mahesh’s journey began with his passion for teaching from his school days. In his story, he reveals how his passion for teaching motivated him to share knowledge with his peers, shaping his future role as an educator. “I was quite interested in educating, so I opened Gurudev Coaching classes with my 3 friends during college,” he proudly said.
Initially, the coaching class enrolled 80 students, which was growing rapidly when suddenly, he faced a big change as all of his friends chose different paths. Though this could have been a setback, Mahesh remained dedicated to his passion for teaching, and managing classes both in the morning and evening. Despite the challenges, he persevered. During this period, an unexpected opportunity came his way, one that would change his journey.
“One day, a reputed principal from a different school noticed my passion for teaching and he offered me an opportunity to collaborate with his school!” he shared with joy. Impressed by Mahesh’s dedication, the principal invited him to teach afternoon classes at their school. Excited to make a bigger impact, Mahesh agreed. However, this decision unintentionally caused his venture, Gurudev Coaching Classes, to fall apart.
The initial days of Gurudev Pub School
After collaborating with the new school, Mahesh realized that managing both the coaching class and the new school together is quite difficult. Despite his attempts to address the issues, the administration ignored his concerns. Feeling disheartened but driven by a dream of a better education, Mahesh decided to take matters into his own hands.
In 2003, Mahesh founded Gurudev Public School in Sarna, Chhindwara. His goal was simple: “to build a school based on discipline, dedication, and excellence”.
School’s mission and Varthana’s support
At Gurudev Public School, Mahesh believes that education is more than just books and classrooms. The school aims to shape well-rounded students with strong morals, sharp minds, and healthy bodies. Along with modern facilities like computer labs and smart classrooms, the school focuses on teaching values like discipline, hard work, and kindness.
To improve education, he carefully designed the curriculum and hired dedicated teachers. “I know how important teachers are, so I ensure they (school children) receive regular training and support to help students thrive”.
The school also encourages healthy eating, asking parents to send nutritious meals to their kids. Mahesh believes that good health is key to doing well in school and promotes a balanced approach that nurtures both the mind and body.
As the school was expanding, he realized that good financing plays an important role in improving schools and giving good opportunities to children. With the vision he has, Mahesh took a big step forward and planned to upgrade his school with the help of Varthana. It also helped him to accommodate growing numbers of students.
“Varthana’s support did not just improve the school infrastructure but fueled the growth of school”. Mahes says, “It helped me to make my dream come true of providing education available to every child in our area.” he added. Regardless, this became a turning point for the school in 2012-2013.
His achievements
Over the years, Gurudev Public School has seen many success stories, each showing Mahesh’s deep commitment to his students’ futures. Some alumni have become respected government employees, while others have built careers in fields like education and medicine. One touching moment for Mahesh happened during a medical checkup when he met a former student working as a nurse. Her gratitude reminded him of the lasting impact teachers can have on their students’ lives.
“My school also holds reunions where former students share their achievements and thank Mahesh for the life-changing education they received”, Mahesh proudly said. Seeing his students thrive reaffirms his belief in the power of education to change lives and uplift communities. He also thanked Varthana for his achievements as he believes the investment not only improved the school’s facilities but also helped it grow, bringing him closer to his goal of providing quality education for everyone.
Looking forward, Mahesh says, “Saare bachhe ek samaan hoshiyar aur buddhimaan (All children are equally smart and intelligent)” which backs his belief: every child has both knowledge and wisdom and they can achieve their goals with access to good education.
Wrap-up
Today, the school stands as a symbol of Mahesh’s vision for creating a better future for students. He thanked Varthana by saying “Their easy loan disbursement process helped to buy essential school furniture that further enhanced my school’s learning environment to accommodate the growing student population.” As the school continues to evolve and adapt to changing circumstances, its core values of integrity, excellence, and inclusivity remain strong. Through his hard work and dedication, Mahesh continues to shape young minds and build brighter futures, one student at a time.
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