Subhechcha Ganguly 
It is often said that schools are the best place for children to know and grow. But its very important to understand the environment of the school so that the upbringing of children would be done in a healthy matter. From a survey conducted by The Interview Times team we have found out that a lot of under confidence issues in writing stem out from schools. Let us talk about this issue in Interview Times in Collaboration with a branding agency Koala Kraft. We welcome Author Arti Shenmar for an interview.
Q1) Namaste Arti! We are so glad to have your opinion on this important topic “Confidence Building in Schools.” Tell us a bit about your schooling and did you start writing since childhood?
Ans: It is an honour to write about an important subject of Confidence building in Schools.
I did my schooling mainly from two schools
1)Gyan Bharti School in Delhi
2)Kendriya Vidyalaya School in Delhi
In ninth standard I switched from KV to public school and it was that time of life wherein I coped up with the stress of parting with my best friends.
It was our English teacher in Gyan Bharti School who taught us the art of poetry writing. She taught us how writing can be a medium to pen down and express your feelings and let go the stress which is hurting you deep down inside.
Q2) Do you feel that there is favouritism in schools. Have you faced any such issues or do you know someone who has come across an issue like that ?
Ans :Yes, it is there and I did face it in my schooling days.But I think instead of favouritism it is called making a place in the hearts of the teachers.When I switched from KV school I was amongst the top rankers in the class. However, when I switched school it took time to carve my identity and place in the hearts of new teachers. As it’s said the beginning is always tough. I think with persistent hardwork one can definitely carve a place in the hearts of the teachers because at one point of time in life your hardwork will definitely speak for you. But one should not loose hope in this journey of hardwork whatever be the circumstances in life.
Q3) What should be a teacher’s role according to you ;to imbibe confidence in kids?
A teacher’s role to imbibe confidence in their students is possible only when they trust their students and believe in their abilities.I still remember my first stage performance in KV. I was not at all prepared for the extempore speech and my teacher said the child who was supposed to go on stage is on leave today and so you are going on stage. I told my teacher, that I don’t know anything about the concept.They told topic will be given when you will be on stage.We trust you, you will do well. I believed the belief of my teacher and got the prize. So in the end, what matters is teachers should have faith on their students and on their abilities.
Q4) As we know children spend most of the time in school around 8-9 hours of the day, do you think that parents and teachers should work effectively to eradicate the problem of under confidence and lack of self esteem in children?
Ans :Yes, Parents and Teachers both have a role to play to eradicate the problem of under confidence and lack of self esteem in children. One of my most favourite lines from my poem “I Wonder Why” will answer this que…
Not Everyone has the right to hurt you,
Not Everyone has the right to judge you.
Tell yourself to be Strong,
Life is tough but be Strong.
Q5) As a writer ,what does supportive background mean to you?
Ans :Supportive background means Inspirational and motivational thought process should be there to encourage and motivate the students.
Thoughts of Swami Vivekananda motivated me in School days. Arise, Awake Stop not till the Goal is achieved.
Q6) We really thankyou for expressing your views on this topic as it would help thousands of people to know about this problem. As a writer what is Arti’s thought on this topic ? Can you express it in a form of a small quote or sentence ?
Ans :I will end it with the lines of my most favourite poem written by me in school days…
Colours of the Sky
Like Dreams in her Eyes
Sometimes Bright
Sometimes Dull
Colours of the Sky
Like Dreams in her Eyes
May every child fulfill their Dreams in Life.Thanks for giving me an opportunity to share my life’s experiences. May be it might be a source of light to light somebody’s path. Thank you.
