Mrs. Alka Kapur: An Activist and Visionary Education Leader

Alka Kapur
Mrs. Alka Kapur

Mrs. Alka Kapur, (CBSE & State Awardee) is an empowering leader, a zealous educationist, and an environmentalist with an illustrious career of 34 years in educational research. As the Principal of Modern Public School (MPS), Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi, she has taken the school to great heights, and the school earned a priceless status in Forbes India Marquee Edition, The Great Indian Schools.

Mrs. Alka Kapur: A Crusader of Education

Under her leadership, Modern Public School has become a beacon of educational excellence that wholeheartedly adheres to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. With an impressive legacy spanning over 52 years, its overarching goal is to foster inquiring, knowledgeable, and self-assured individuals.

Positions And Responsibilities

At present, Mrs. Alka Kapur is:

  • Venue Director, CBSE, COE
  • Committee Member of Entrepreneurship Mindset Design Curriculum, SCERT
  • The President, Delhi Sahodaya School Complex
  • Content Developer for Lead Diksha, SCERT
  • Resource Person of Capacity Building Programs, CBSE
  • District Training Coordinator, COE, West Region
  • Lead Coordinator of Hubs of Learning, CBSE
  • State Vice President, Hindustan Scouts and Guides Public Schools Sangathan
  • Member of the FICCI Arise Committee
  • Member of FICCI Flo – The Power to Empower
  • Adjudicator for the Northwest District of Delhi (City Dean) by Indian Book of School Records
  • State Convener New Delhi, Global Edu-Leader Forum
  • Vice-President Indraprastha School Sahodaya
  • Ambassador International Education Council, Global TALK Education India
  • Member of the National Progressive School Conference
  • Executive Action Committee Unaided Recognized Public Schools
  • Executive member of Quality Education Asia for Curriculum Development at Primary, Middle, and Senior Secondary levels

Mrs. Alka Kapur has earned herself a place in the Galaxy of Star Educators. She is known for her enriching sessions in various fields. She has attained expertise in imparting value education and other psychological issues about mental health and wellbeing. She is a World Record Holder for conducting the World’s largest Talk Show with an assemblage of 6000 people by the World Book of Records, United Kingdom. She is the resource person for CBSE Capacity Building Programs and has taken sessions on the following:

  • Building on life skills
  • Preparing students to adapt to change and adversities
  • Stress management
  • School approach towards value education in schooling
  • Stress management techniques
  • Magic of gratitude
  • Adolescence in present scenario
  • Joyful experience in schooling
  • Socio-emotional needs of students
  • Life skills

An Empathic Socialist

Mrs. Alka Kapur’s social and philanthropic commitments are also profound and immeasurable. One of her most notable achievements is introducing her school’s unique Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, Roti Bank. This initiative aims to alleviate hunger among the underprivileged and has received widespread recognition for its success. The Roti Bank program has also been adopted by several other schools, highlighting its impact and effectiveness in addressing social issues.

She strives to make this world a better place by spreading the light of literacy among the financially deprived sections of society. Under her able guidance, Nav Chetna, a school in collaboration with Sarthak Prayas, provides free education to children of weaker sections.

Modern Public School, under the stewardship of Mrs. Alka Kapur, launched the “Sai Nari Abhilasha Foundation” -Life Women Empowerment Centre, on the occasion of Women’s Day. This foundation is an initiative of Modern Public School to uplift the lives of underprivileged women by providing them with access to education and skill development.

Mrs. Alka Kapur’s visionary initiative, “On Wheels,” has transformed three school buses into mobile education units: Science Park on Wheels, Roti Bank on Wheels, and Library on Wheels. Science Park on Wheels fosters practical learning, aligning with UN SDGs of “Quality Education” and “Reduced Inequalities.” Roti Bank on Wheels collects food for the underprivileged, addressing SDGs of “Zero Hunger” and “Good Health.” Library on Wheels provides books for education continuity during lockdowns, supporting SDGs of “Quality Education” and “Reduced Inequalities.” This noble effort epitomizes Mrs. Alka Kapur’s commitment to making a positive impact on society.

An Avid Environmentalist

Mrs. Alka Kapur has set the template for a futuristic Green School by actively participating in projects and driving to make the environment sustainable and pollution-free. She is an active member of Sparsh Ganga, an NGO creating awareness of water conservation and other environmental issues. Under her mentorship, the school, in collaboration with Earth Watch Institute, has initiated Project Healthy Air, wherein the teachers and students would involve themselves in regular air quality monitoring to eliminate pollution. She has a green thumb and has participated in worthwhile initiatives like the Tree Plantation Drive, which shows her dedication to a sustainable future. Her involvement in grassroots sustainability nurturing and environmental consciousness is demonstrated by her participation in the Save Water Campaign and Clean Yamuna Drive.

Her Green School template is a genuine example of her conviction, not just a theoretical idea. Through these projects, she serves as an environmental steward and educator, teaching the next generation priceless lessons about caring for the environment and taking responsibility. In her hands, the school has transformed into a sanctuary where environmental awareness is a way of life rather than merely a subject.

Nurturing Spiritual Growth and Well-Rounded Individuals

In the realm of spiritual development at the school, Mrs. Kapur has spearheaded a series of initiatives aimed at nurturing the growth of students in this crucial aspect. Mindfulness and meditation sessions, strategically integrated into the school routine, serve as a cornerstone for students to establish a profound connection with their inner selves. The introduction of dedicated ‘quiet time’ during school hours allows students to immerse themselves in meditation, reflection, or simple repose, fostering a heightened sense of peace and self-awareness. These deliberate moments of mindfulness have yielded tangible benefits, not only improving the emotional and physical well-being of students but also creating an environment conducive to calmness, tranquility, and overall happiness in the learning atmosphere. The humility instilled in students, as manifested in their daily thanksgiving prayers, is not merely a habit but a way of life. Observing the evolution of students into well-rounded individuals with a strong spiritual quotient under the guidance of a robust value system brings immense satisfaction to her.

Countless Feathers to her Crown

For her remarkable contributions to the global education society, she has been bestowed with more than 100 prestigious honors and accolades. To mention a few:

  • CBSE Teachers’ and Principals’ Award 2019-2020 by Shri. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ Hon’ble Minister of Education, Delhi.
  • State Teachers’ Award by Delhi Directorate of Education by hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal.
  • Outstanding Woman Education Awards by National Foundation for Entrepreneurship Development (CNFED).
  • Excellence in the field of Philanthropy and Education on International Women’s Day by Shri. Raaj Kumar Anand, Hon’ble Minister of Department of Social Welfare (GNCTD).
  • International Eminence Excellence Award in the category Life Time Achievement for contribution to Education – Dubai.
  • Certificate of Honour for outstanding contribution in the field of Education by Time 2 Grow.
  • Antarrashtriya Shiksha Utkrishta Puraskar, By Ministry of Education, Govt of Srilanka.
  • Felicitated with the Leading Light Series by International Chamber of Media and Entertainment Industry in association with Delhi Today’s Group.
  • Awarded with Certificate of Honour by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, an autonomous body of Culture Ministry.
  • Leadership Excellence National Award by Shri Munjapara Mahendrabhai, Honorable Minister of State and Child Development and Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Ex Union Minister MSME and Hon’ble MP under the patronage of Women who lead National Award 2021.
  • Honoured amongst Top 50 Edu leaders of the Nation By Education World.
  • Mahatma Gandhi Samman Award at House of Lords, London, UK.
  • AWARDED for participating in Peace is Green _Shaping Peace Together, World’s largest and longest Environment Event.
  • Best School Principal award from the Ambassador of Latvia.
  • Uttarakhand Ratan Award by Progressive Principal School’s Association by Finance minister, Uttarakhand.
  • Guru Drona Awards by Shri. Manoj Tiwari, Member of Parliament.
  • 21st Century Education Leadership Award by American Leadership Board.
  • Designated as Ambassador Mission Knowledge by Indian Federation of United Nations Association.
  • Most Influential Educationist of Asia Award at South Asian Excellence Award, Thimpu, Bhutan.