GIIS played host to Dr Sambit Patra, member and spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party in March 2016. As part of a mini-sharing session, GIIS students had the opportunity to meet the accomplished leader, in addition to gaining insights from his views on the value of holistic learning and personal development.

Dr Sambit Patra (centre), member and spokesperson of BJP with Mr Kaustubh Bodhankar
(4th from L) and senior students of Global Indian International School (GIIS)

As part of his trip to Singapore to address the Indian diaspora on the Jagannath culture of Odisha, prominent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member, Dr Sambit Patra, made a visit to GIIS Queenstown Campus as part of the GIIS Leadership Lecture Series. GIIS students were able to get up close and personal with the 41-year-old statesman during a brief, but insightful meeting that taught them much about the role of a well-rounded education in attaining success.

Dr Patra, who is also a renowned surgeon, is the founder of Swaraj - a non-governmental organisation which aims to support cleanliness and healthcare facilities in disadvantaged Indian communities.

He started off the discussion by explaining how holistic learning is crucial for success. “Studies aside, your co-curricular activities and personal skills are important too,” he said. “Small things like caring for a tree, your communication abilities, and even playing the guitar, will eventually add to the formation of a holistic, wholesome personality.”

During his personal speech, Dr Patra spoke about the necessity of proper education for a nation’s continued progress. As a student who grew up in a school which emphasised spiritual content and development, Dr Patra firmly believes that how teachers conduct themselves will have a profound influence on their students’ lives, apart from affecting their journey of growth into responsible adults.

In the same vein, Dr Patra urged students to break the mould through experimentation. “Nothing is bad, everything is good, dare to experiment and change things,” he said.

When asked about the quality of education in India, Dr Patra gave an insightful response to a question posed by IB Year 1 student Harsh Dubey on the suitability of tutors in teaching specific subjects.

“A teacher might not be the best at providing instruction on Mathematics, but there are other aspects which students can learn from her as an educator. For instance, you can still find her to be a great mother figure because the level of affection she displays can leave a lasting personal impact,” replied Dr Patra.

In a separate query from IB Year 1 student Aasyush Rai, Dr Patra acknowledged the current sectoral imbalance in India’s economy and education system, but gave reassurance that the situation was seeing improvement.

“The problem with our traditional way of thinking is that we always want to be in a safe-paying job, where we don’t have to worry about our lives,” said Dr Patra. “But gradually, things are changing with the options that are available. More parents are giving independence to their children, rather than sticking to the traditional, age-old job classes.”

Mr GSS Rao, Director (Operations) - Singapore, GIIS shared, “The interactions with Dr Patra have left the students feeling inspired about the value of a well-rounded education: an advantage which they get to enjoy at GIIS.”