Name: Major Pravin Singh (Retd.)

Title: Managing Director

Organisation: Cardinal Warriors Pvt Military School

1.

MajorPravin Singh S/o Late Shri S. P. Singh R/O Raipur has done his school

education in Chhattisgarh at Raipur, Jagdalpur and Rajnandgaon and graduation from

University of Allahabad with first Division.

2.

He was commissioned in 1996 in Indian Army as Officer in 17 Parachute Field

Regiment from Officers Training Academy (Chennai) as Best Cadet Commissioned in

Regiment of Artillery. He is a qualified paratrooper and heavy drop specialist with

Gallantry award in jungle terrain of Manipur.

3.

After leaving Army he opened First English Medium College at

Rajnandgaon (Confluence College of Higher Education with B. Ed.,

Nursing and Management) in year 2006. He has realized the need of

English medium college at Rajnandgaon as a student here.

4.

He headed the MBP Military School at Gondia as Commandant since

2007 and the cadets of same are now at National Defence Academy, Indian

Military Academy and Officers training academy. This school has given many

international sports man who has represented India apart from many more

who have represented the state in national games.

5.

He has started Confluence Military School (First Private Military School

of Chhattisgarh) & Cardinal Warriors with an intention to contribute by grooming its

cadets to become officers in the Army, Navy & Air Force, IAS, IFS, IES, Doctors, CA or

Sportsman as per their latent skill and aptitude with proper guidance and training.

6.

A study was conducted on feasibility of operating private Sainik schools by

Defence Intelligence Agency on his school and based on this project report 100 Sainik

Schools have been announced and have been given Cabinet approval.

7.

He was employed by Chhattisgarh Police as SP / Commandant heading the

Police Training Center at Boregaon (Dist. Kondagaon) on Samvidha (Contractual

basis) for two years.

He is planning to launch chain of private Sainik schools.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Pravin's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

Retaining personal positivity despite all odds specially during uncertainty during change management and everyone is full of doubts and fears including self.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

By Joining Army and the training imparted to us which is known as the "Chetwode Motto" and is the motto of the officers passing out from the Academy. The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next. Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

It's usually done a day prior based on priority and attention required after due deliberation of key issues that need to be addressed.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

Israel Hamas war has portrayed the importance of human intelligence and total dependency on AI and technology may adversely affect the efficiency. Men behind the machine will always over weigh the technology.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

Good to Great. It covers all the basics of corporate leadership. The humility of leader and his team members produces sustained unimaginable results time after time.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

Leadership starts with followership. You have to be life long learner and aim to be good team member not a leader. Leadership is not defined by your rank or position but the humble ability to be part of your team as team member.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

Encouraged by military ethos, discipline and the fact that military training removes the mental blocks form each and everyone undergoing the military training I started my humble effort by starting a private military school in a remote location. The humble effort was recognised by The government and after the feasibility study they have already approved 100 such schools and are planning an expansion upto 1000 military or Sainik schools in India run by private NGOs. Anyone and everyone can be trained.