Teachers are often formative influences in our development. But, unfortunately, they are also subject to more flak than is often due. So when I thought it would be fascinating to hear their side of the story, only one name came to mind. 

Padmakumar MM heads the Media Studies department at CHRIST University, one of India’s leading private universities. An educator for 16 years, he has an astute sense of the benefits of the education system and its limitations. In his academic career, Padmakumar has led the revision of CHRIST’s media studies curriculum and introduced several programmes to meet present-day challenges. He has experimented with learner-centred and learning-centred pedagogy in many of his courses. For example, to raise the ecological consciousness of his students, he has taken them on study tours to different parts of the Western Ghats.

We met nearly seven years ago when his efforts to give students access to industry professionals saw me run workshops and even teach complete courses at Christ. Right from the outset, his commitment and gritty idealism stood out to me instantly. We have since built a respectful and trusting relationship with a mutual love for curiosity and critical thinking. As someone who gave me my start in teaching, offering me the confidence to go with my intent, Padmakumar is a crucial figure in my development as a person. In my work with students at Christ, I realised he played this role for several others in various capacities. His openness to being on the podcast, fully knowing my style of questioning and appetite for the uncomfortable, is a testament to his quest for personal growth and adventure. 

This conversation ranks among my favourites, on this podcast and outside of it, and I believe you will enjoy it just as much as I did.

PK’s Twitter: @perhapspk

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