From the small town of Bareilly, popular as the home town of Bollywood actress and former Miss World Priyanka Chopra, Chaishta Prakash, a faculty at National Institute of Jewellery Design and Technology (NIJDT), New Delhi, is young and passionate. She loves to be with her students, helping them to learn the nuances of design. When students come to her to learn designing they can’t even draw a straight line, she says. It’s a rigorous class on mastering straight lines and then curves before she lets her students draw an object. Somebody, who has loved to draw since childhood, Chaishta, is managing her career well. Though she had not thought about teaching in the beginning. It was only when she was offered the post due to her brilliant performance in her institute, she got into teaching.
Undaunted by the fact that some of her students are elder than her and confident about her learning, she believes that opportunities are everywhere around us. At times they are in disguise and one has to look for them. CL Media speaks to this promising teacher to know more about her journey till date. Excerpts from the interview:
Why did you choose this field? Which courses did you take up?
I was fond of jewellery since I was a child and was good in miniature drawings. Jewellery designing was the latest course in the field of design at that time and I too developed a liking towards the idea of doing a course in jewellery designing. I did a six-month course initially, for which I was awarded a certificate of merit from the ministry of commerce and the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council for being one of the best students in the year 2005-06. After that I also did a course in jewellery manufacturing and diamond grading.
How did you get your first job?
After finishing my courses I was looking for a job. It was then I came to know about a job opening in National Institute of Jewellery Design and Technology (NIJDT), New Delhi. It was for a faculty position. I gave the interview and got selected and that is how I got my first job. It’s been more than a year since I have been working with NIJDT. I was 20 when I got the job.
What brought you to teaching? How do you find imparting knowledge and skill to your students?
Teaching was not always in my mind. I had always thought of working with a reputed jewellery firm , but then I always used to admire my teachers and had a feeling of respect for them as they used to work so hard with the students. I always wanted to give it a try and God gave me that chance, so here I am teaching jewellery designing. My experience of teaching has been great till now and it feels wonderful to be a teacher. Teaching is not an easy task; it requires a lot of labour and hardwork. Designing is easy but teaching design requires a lot of skill, perfection, labour and patience. It is a pleasant feeling of satisfaction to impart knowledge and skills to the students. It’s great fun working with students on assignments and projects. Some students are extremely talented. They are creative and working with them is a great experience as I also learn a lot from them in the process. It’s nice to see students creating something new every day.
How did you follow your dream? How supportive was your family?
I was a commerce student but I was always clear in my mind of what I wanted to do in life. My parents were my best guides, they were very supportive and never pressurised me for any thing. They knew how passionate I was about designing, so with the help of my friend, my parents and of course my strong willpower, I am living my dream.
What is the age-group of your students?
The average age group that I handle is between 18-35 years. Young girls and boys and even married ladies and jewellers come up for this course.
Is there any one person who has inspired you in life? If yes, who and why?
One person who has always inspired me since I was a child is my childhood friend Aditi Garg, who is a year elder to me and is now a successful fashion designer. She was my next door neighbour, my friend and my inspiration. She has always given me the right advice. She is a true friend.
Are you satisfied with your professional life? What does success mean to you?
Yes, I am very much satisfied with my job. It’s a prestigious profession, plus the working environment is good and above all I love working with students. Success for me is about achieving something which you have always dreamt of. It’s also about becoming something what you always wanted to become and to reach the heights from where there is no looking back.
Do you think there is not much of opportunity in small towns?
I won’t say that opportunities are lacking in small towns; they are everywhere, though sometimes in disguise. It all depends on the person; how s/he identifies them and makes the best use.
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