Neeraj Kumar Bedhotiya, Principal, Daly College, Indore has more than thirty years of experience in the field of education, and is known for his dynamism and commitment to the process. Talking about how Daly College adopted digital means to adapt to the pandemic, Bedhotiya said, “We started long before the lockdown. We made WhatsApp groups and started with asynchronous learning in March. In early April, when it looked like it was going to go further, we had meetings with the staff and introduced Zoom. It is a boon for digital learning. We did online training with the staff and had a successful term end in April.”
Bedhotiya talked about his emphasis on co-curricular activities even during the pandemic, saying, “There was a great desire among staff members to ensure continuity in learning, and that happened all thanks to the digital platforms. Mid-May, we did games and co-curricular activities to engage children. We collaborated with other IPSC schools in India too. At that time, because of the fear, chaos and uncertainty, children needed us the most.” He said further, “Today we are successful in not only conducting classes but a lot of inter-house visual art, debating and drama classes and even masterclasses for games and co-curricular activities so that children continue to remain engaged apart from their academics. We are also planning to do our annual prize-giving ceremony. Things have been working very well and being appreciated by all.”
Addressing the financial impacts of the pandemic, Bedhotiya spoke of how the institution dealt with it. “It was a time when we needed to connect with our stakeholders. Our management and the board of governors took early decisions in this regard and gave huge discounts to the parents of both day-boarders and boarders. We also ensured that teachers got their full salary. Recently, our school council took a great decision and organised fundraising for Class IV daily wagers and distributed the proceeds during Diwali. There is a struggle and we had losses this year, but I think being a 150-year-old school, we need to show our caring attitude and good intent at this time.” “Parents highly appreciated the discounts, and even after that, have been very generous with their fee deposits. As a community, we have pulled together very well,” Bedhotiya added.
Keeping pace with the times and combining the best of tradition and modernity, Daly College is going to mark its 150th anniversary soon. Principal Bedhotiya threw light on how they are commemorating this special year, saying, “We had planned a mega event running throughout the year and had even started with it. In January, we were going to do the Kishangarh Shield which involves an 80-year-old healthy rivalry between Mayo and Daly College. We had also taken the unique initiative of making a movie on the Holkars, our patrons. But, obviously, we have postponed those celebrations. But I can assure all my stakeholders through your medium, particularly the old boys who are very keen, that we will be celebrating it pretty soon and hopefully on the other side of the pandemic.”
On a concluding note, Bedhotiya spoke proudly of what sets Daly College apart from other residential and day-boarding schools across the country, explaining, “It’s our 150-year-old legacy and heritage and the beautiful campus spread across 118 acres in the cleanest city of India. Our main building made of unpolished marble is Indore’s most famous architectural marvel. We have six-generation students coming in and we offer national and international curricula, both Cambridge and CBSE, here. We have a sporting facility at par with others in the world, and the school is known for its sporting achievements and infrastructure. We have a galaxy of alumni occupying positions of responsibility in various walks of life all over the world, including various levels in the Indian armed forces. Most importantly, we are a non-profit organization and everything we save goes on to do things for children. We have qualified and experienced faculty, international linkages spread over the world, and are members of Round Square and G30.”