Doon student Kanti Bajpai returns as its head: The Indian Express

Doon student Kanti Bajpai returns as its head By: Puja Birla

New Delhi, March 5: TELEVISION’S most popular face on international affairs, Professor Kanti Bajpai, is all set to don a new role. Mid-June will find the JNU professor in Dehra Dun as the headmaster of Doon School.

Dhruv Sawhney, chairman of the Indian Public School Society (IPSS) that runs the school, confirmed the six-year appointment. ‘‘Prof. Kanti Bajpai will be our new headmaster and he will take over from July 1,’’ he said. The hunt for a new head had been on for the past six-eight months and Bajpai’s name was finalised last week.

‘‘I love the school, having studied and taught there. It is one of the best primary education institutions in our country,’’ Bajpai said. ‘‘We have a responsibility to bring up our future’s critical and moral faculties. The Doon School has been the alma mater of many bureaucrats, scientists, artists a

"I love the school, having studied and taught there. It is one of the best primary education institutions in our country"

nd leaders. We have a civic responsibility in maintaining the stock. By becoming the headmaster, I hope I can work at keeping Doon School great.’’

An alumnus of Doon School, Bajpai passed out in 1972. Although he has been teaching for the past 13 years, mostly in JNU’s School of International Studies, Bajpai has taught pre-teens only for a year between 1980-81. In the remaining years, it has mostly been post-graduate students in JNU and visiting colleges in the US.

Traditionally, Doon School headmasters don’t take too many classes but Bajpai will start teaching English to the 12-year-olds. ‘‘As far as being intimidated by the younger lot is concerned, even my Class X daughter can intimidate me,’’ he said in a lighter vein. ‘‘But having taught for more than a decade, how difficult can it be?’’

A head-hunting committee was set up to look for a new headmaster. Advertisements appeared in national dailies and IPSS board members were asked to suggest names.

‘‘We haven’t decided what will be the initial areas of concentration. Along with English, I’ll be talking on larger global and national issues with an economic perspective. These are subjects close to my heart and such lectures are not new at Doon. But I want it to become a regular feature,’’ Bajpai explained.

Doon School is spread over 69 acres and has around 500 students. The JNU professor said he wanted to get to know his students personally. Bajpai will continue academic work and publish papers and articles. He has decided not to appear on TV anymore.

Discuss the appointment in Virtual Doon with other Doscos.