Born at Cuttack in Odisha, Ms. Patnaik completed her schooling from Sonabera HAL VSV School in Koraput (Odisha) in 1979 and moved to Bhubaneswar to study Humanities at the BJB College. She also completed Post Graduation in Teacher’s Training from the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) in Bhubaneswar from 1981 to 1985. She chose this course by SCERT to realise her childhood dream of establishing a school some day. Within a few months, Ms. Patnaik got married to a well known Bhubaneshwar-based interior designer and joined Kamala Nehru College in 1987, where she taught Psychology for a few years. She then returned to Koraput and started working as a primary class teacher in the same school where she had studied.
TURNING HER CHILDHOOD DREAM INTO A REALITY
With a marked sense of purpose and determination, Ms. Patnaik turned her childhood dream into reality. In 1991, she laid the foundation of the preschool called ‘Prakrit,’ with an initial investment of INR 30000, strength of 14 students in the age group of 2-9 years, and 5 teachers only. Ms. Patnaik initially worked as a lecturer in a college and then put all her earnings into the running of the school. Over the years, Prakrit provided preschoolers with an intellectually and creatively stimulating social and educational environment, and was eventually restructured into Mother’s Public School (Senior Secondary School). The school now boasts of a total strength of 2000 students who have been proving their mettle in academics year after year. With a good return on investment from the school, Ms. Patnaik opened Mother’s Public School’s first branch in Puri in 2015. Over the years, she also managed to set up 3 more branches in Rourkela, Pahal (Bhubaneswar) and Khandagiri (Bhubaneswar).
FOCUSING ON HOLISTIC EDUCATION
Ms. Patnaik believes that Mother’s Public School is a sanctum where curious and creative minds are allowed to blossom in a system governed by educational equity. With a blend of theoretical learning, unique pedagogical methods including tutorials, and extra-curricular activities, Ms. Patnaik and her team of hardworking and dedicated faculties have managed to create a loving community of purposeful and constructive learning that focuses on the development of every child’s mind, body and spirit. As the school Principal, Ms. Patnaik is approachable to the students, parents, and the staff alike. She is a great listener and resolves their issues in a calm and composed way.
INCLINATION TOWARDS SOCIAL CAUSES
Ms. Patnaik is keenly inclined towards certain social causes. She ensures that the students actively participate in social activities regularly to get sensitized to the needs of the society in good and bad times. Besides, the school employs uneducated and poor single women and widows and helps them live a dignified life. It also includes their children in the mainstream education to help improve their future.
PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
Ms. Patnaik has been bestowed with numerous awards and accolades for her pathbreaking contribution and constant endeavors in the field of school education. Some of them are ‘Global Principal Award 2021’ by Star Global Awards, ‘Times Power Odisha Award 2021,’ ‘CBSE Teacher’s Award 2009’ by Kapil Sibal (Former HRD Minister), ‘National Award for Teachers 2012’ by Shri Pranab Mukherjee (Former President of India), and the ‘Rajiv Gandhi Rashtriya Ekta Samman’ in New Delhi on the 70th birth anniversary celebration of Late Shri Rajiv Gandhi.
