Film stars may always be in the spotlight. But, no matter how busy they get, celebrities too have been responsible parents when it comes to their child’s education. City Express speaks to a few celebrities about their role as parents and the significance of the responsibility.
“Fame doesn’t change the responsibility of getting our children the best education,” says Rakshita, who insists that it should be a joint effort by both father and mother when it comes to the education of children.
“I am seen less in the film industry these days as I am concentrating on my political career. So, Prem and I divide the responsibility. My son, Surya is right now in PG1 (pre-nursery). As the summer holidays gets closer, both of us mentally get prepared that Surya needs to get ready early morning and be in school on time. Either I or Prem accompany him to school everyday. I have put him in National Hill View Public School, Rajajeshwari Nagar as distance was a major factor. This school is just 20 minutes drive from my house and I wanted to make sure that he studied in one of the best schools. As parents, we both had an orientation, which we attended. I make sure, I go and check about my kid as and when we are called for the parent-teacher meeting. Prem takes care of it, when I am not in Bangalore,” she says, adding, “You spoil the kid till the age of three by pampering them. It is difficult for the kid to get out of that shield. Men too need to be equally responsible.”
But it is a different situation for Ramesh Aravind. His daughter is in college and son, Arjun is now stepping into the 10th standard. “He takes care of everything when it comes to school and studies but I love to teach him. I still remember the physics and mathematics that I had learnt. Right now, my wife, Archana takes care of his studies and school matters. I always feel that it is like a ritual when kids get ready to go to school after the long summer holidays. I enjoyed those moments when I was a child, putting brown wrappers, pasting labels, writing names, stapling and all. It was fun. For every child, 10th standard is a tough term. I have told Arjun to just chill and take it easy. I keep telling him that I am there for him,” he says.
Actor Ganesh and his wife Shilpa don’t look for anything beyond their daughter, especially when it comes to her education. “The whole pattern of life changes when a couple turns into a family. We may be celebrities to others but for our kids, we are just their parents. Some people objected when I put my daughter, Charithrya to pre-nursery when she still wanted to play at home. Today, they all feel that I did the right thing. Now, she is in nursery and she recites most of the rhymes. You feel good when your kid is ahead of others. As far as responsibilities, either I or Ganesh drop her to school everyday. In a couple of years, we both will be busy in getting her books, uniforms, shoes, school bags, etc. It is definitely going to be more interesting,” says Shilpa.
As parents, Upendra and Priyanka have well understood the importance of exposing their kids to the best of education. As Uppi says, “Even ours is like any other profession, expect that we don’t go for a 9 to 5 job. We go through the same routine to send our kids to school, like any other parents. Ayush is in 3rd standard and Aishwarya in 2nd. Whenever I am at home, I see my kids getting ready by 7.30 am. Priyanka often visits the school to check on their education. We also have a master who comes and makes sure, the kids have done their homework. We take it as a family responsibility,” says Upendra.