Devika: Okay!

Sanjay: Some people commented, “You are blowing your own trumpet.” Others said, “This is very basic, everyone does this.” But honestly, I wasn’t trying to compare or prove anything. I just wanted to highlight how someone is doing all these things—from making alpona and pitha to riding a bike—on his own. That was the intent. But it did go viral, and people kept saying, “Oh yes, we saw that son-in-law video!” There was another one too—where I portrayed a government school teacher. People often carry a stereotype: that a government teacher will have neatly parted hair, a big stomach, a pen in his
pocket, and wear the same shirt four days in a row. [smiles] When I broke that image, that too resonated. People saw that a government teacher can be different.

Devika: I think people appreciated that a lot. Speaking of being a classroom teacher, do you have any quirky habits or rituals in class?

Sanjay: Thank you for asking this—it’s one of my favorite topics. I don’t know if you’d call it quirky, but I’m a little strict as a teacher. I don’t just focus on academics. I pay a lot of attention to discipline and basic manners. For example, how students sit in class, their posture, or even how they eat when they’re studying outside. How to place the plate, how to use the spoon—these things matter. My students know this about me. I always tell them—you don’t need to be brilliant in studies, but you should know how to carry yourself.

Devika: That’s so important. This soft skills training, this grooming—you’re absolutely right, it’s extremely valuable.

Sanjay: Especially in a government school. Most of our students are first-generation learners. Their parents often don’t have a formal education, so the kids are learning everything here. I remember once there were some older girls sitting casually on benches. I told them, “This isn’t the right way to sit.” Not just in front of a teacher—but in general, in life—how you sit, how you talk, these small things make a difference.

Devika: You’re absolutely right. This is what makes you stand out. Unfortunately, many schools don’t teach these essential life skills, and later these same students are sent to grooming schools. But what you’re doing is embedding it from the beginning.

Sanjay: Exactly. I can teach math or English, but who’s teaching them how to walk into an interview? How to sit, keep their hands properly, greet someone with a “Good morning”? These are basics. In private schools, students usually come already knowing this. But in our schools, we need to teach it.

Devika: And it’s fantastic that you’re taking that initiative.

Sanjay: Thank you.

Devika: So, imagine you’re giving a TED Talk to an audience of teachers—what do you think your talk would be called?

Sanjay: Hmm… I haven’t really thought about it. But if I had to put it in two words, I’d say: Be Creative. That’s it. Always be creative. Keep thinking, keep doing new things. I believe creativity comes from constant thought—if your mind isn’t churning, how will new ideas come?

Devika: Absolutely, of course.

Sanjay: Sometimes, if you see me walking on the road or sitting on a train, you might think, “This guy is a little crazy!” [laughs] I’m always thinking—something’s going on in my mind. So yes, if I had to choose a title, it would be Be Creative.

Devika: I love that. And what’s the thing you enjoy the most about being a teacher?

Sanjay: My students—my boys and girls. I have so many of them, and honestly, they are my biggest support system. There are so many emotions involved in this job. Like when a student offers me a Hajmola and says, “Sir, will you eat?” There’s so much warmth and personality in these little gestures. Only teachers will understand how touching these moments are.

Devika: Absolutely. So much emotion wrapped up in these simple things. Is there anything you find difficult about being a teacher?

Sanjay: Well, yes. These days, with new rules, students from classes five to eight can’t be scolded, failed, or disciplined the way we were. So sometimes it’s hard to manage them. They know that even if they don’t do anything, they’ll be promoted. So we have to deal with them differently—understand their psychology, talk to them after class. It’s not like before, where our teachers would just scold or hit us.

Devika: Right, right. Ideally, it should be teamwork between teachers and parents. Because they spend time both at home and in school.

Sanjay: Exactly. And in our case, most of them are first-generation learners. We have to carry that extra responsibility. That’s just how I personally feel—not trying to start any debate.

Devika: Of course, of course. Totally get it. Now tell us—what’s something people might not know about you? Maybe something on Instagram that hasn’t come out yet?

Sanjay: [laughs] Honestly, I don’t know myself! I really don’t know what I’m going to discover next. It’s all unfolding as I go.

Devika: You don’t know? [laughs] So tell me, what is it that you enjoy doing the most?

Sanjay: Well, I stay alone. So I end up doing everything by myself. No house help, no maid. If I really had free time, I’d grab a hot cup of coffee and watch a good suspense thriller at home. That would be my ideal way to relax. But to be honest, I barely get any free time.

Devika: So can we say that’s your way of unwinding? Sanjay: Yes. Devika: So watching a movie is your go-to comfort when you want to relax?

Sanjay: Absolutely, yes.

Devika: Now imagine this—your life becomes a movie. What would the title be?

Sanjay: Hmm… Happy Life , what else?

Devika: Happy Life —I like that!

Sanjay: I don’t want to put a label on what I should be or want to be. The way people see me—that’s really who I am. I don’t exaggerate anything. I’m simple. I just want to be happy.

Devika: Of course.

Sanjay: Life has its ups and downs. And now when I look back, I tell myself—if I didn’t achieve something, maybe it wasn’t meant for me. No point crying over it.

Devika: Absolutely. So now let’s talk a little bit about challenges. Everyone has them, right? Without challenges, life isn’t complete. What’s been a challenge for you? And what did you learn from it?

Sanjay: Living alone. That’s been one of life’s biggest lessons for me. People often ask, “Why do you live alone?” And I want to say—no one chooses to live alone. It’s never planned. Circumstances push you there. But once you are, you learn a lot. You learn to convert your moods into moments of peace or even happiness.

Devika: So would you say that’s been your biggest challenge?

Sanjay: Definitely. People ask, “How do you manage being alone?” Some can’t stand solitude for even a few hours. But we, who live alone, manage it day and night—through sickness, emotional fatigue, everything.

Devika: That’s so real. So how do you deal with it? Meditation? Any practices that help?

Sanjay: I read. A lot. I try to meditate, to stay centered. I remind myself—if something didn’t happen, it probably wasn’t meant for me. Maybe something better is on the way. I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs. I’ve wasted a lot of time worrying about them. But now I feel—if those things hadn’t happened, maybe I wouldn’t be who I am today.

Devika: Of course. That’s a beautiful realization.

Sanjay: I just try to stay positive. I don’t cry over what went wrong. What’s the point?

Devika: So if I asked you—what’s your life philosophy or mantra—what would you say?

Sanjay: You’re going to make me sound like a philosopher! [laughs] But seriously, I think it’s simple—stay positive.

Devika: That’s a wonderful mantra. Be positive, think positive.

Sanjay: Yes. Don’t dwell on what hasn’t happened. It’s a waste of time.