A book commissioned by the Presidential Estate in collaboration with Intel

Gyanoday remains one of the most meaningful milestones of my writing journey—not because it was my first book, but because of what it witnessed. Commissioned by the Presidential Estate in collaboration with Intel, the book documents the quiet yet powerful transformation of Rajendra Prasad Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, nestled within the Presidential Estate, through the introduction of smart classrooms.

What stayed with me while working on Gyanoday were not the screens or devices, but the people. The book is shaped by conversations—with students discovering that learning could be engaging rather than intimidating, and with teachers who found themselves re-energised by new ways of reaching young minds. Technology did not replace the classroom; it softened its edges, allowing curiosity, confidence, and participation to surface.

Listening to students speak about visual lessons, interactive learning, and the joy of finally understanding concepts was a reminder that access can alter self-belief. Teachers reflected on how their roles evolved—from delivering lessons to guiding exploration—while retaining the human connection that defines meaningful education. These were small shifts, yet their impact felt profound.

Set against the symbolic backdrop of the Presidential Estate, the school’s journey became a larger metaphor for what is possible when intent meets action. Gyanoday captures that intersection—where policy, innovation, and empathy converge to create lasting change at the grassroots.

The book was launched by the then President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, along with the Chief Minister, marking a moment of recognition not just for a school, but for the idea that educational progress deserves to be documented and shared.

Looking back, Gyanoday feels less like a project and more like a beginning—a reminder that stories of education are ultimately stories of hope. True to its name, the book records a gentle awakening: of classrooms, of confidence, and of possibility.