Tribute to Dr. Snehalata Deshmukh

My association with Dr. Snehalata Deshmukh goes back to 2017 when she interviewed me for the post of In Charge Principal of the proposed new school- PTVA’s English Medium School, Andheri.

I remember her as a person with motherly instincts, someone who was very warm at heart, caring, with a strong sense of empathy for the needs and feelings of others. Just a day before the inauguration of the new school, we were busy preparing since morning. Deshmukh Madam was with us for some time and she visited the school in the evening again. She called and gave us some snacks. We were touched by her kind gesture. She gifted idols of Shree Ganesh and Goddess Saraswati to the school on the first day when we performed Ganesh Poojan. The school is blessed to be inaugurated at her hands.

She was instrumental in shaping the new school as a strong pillar of strength. She guided not only me and my staff but also the students and their parents, especially during the COVID times when the school was online. She participated in a few online meetings and encouraged the first batch of students to appear for the Scholarship examination. She shared a few tips with the students and their parents for maintaining good physical and mental health.

She was a visionary educationist. She advocated Activity-Based Learning way before it was suggested by the New Education Policy 2020. Under her guidance, we explored game-based, nature-based, and family-based (parent-child activity) learning methods for the students to provide better opportunities and greater motivation to learn not just the lessons but also the wide range of skills and attitudes to succeed in school and life.

Following the path she has shown will be a perfect tribute to Dr. Deshmukh from the staff of PTVA’s English medium School, Andheri.

Mrs. Mrinalini Mhetre

Principal of PTVA’s English medium school, Andheri