The Treasure Within: An Interview

Questions and Answers

What caused Hafeez Contractor to lose interest in school after the second year?

Uninspiring teachers

Lack of sports activities

Difficulty in subjects

Focus on games and pranks (correct)

What aspect of learning did Hafeez Contractor detest during his school years?

Mechanical learning (correct)

Group projects

Practical learning

Creative subjects

What was Hafeez Contractor's principal's message to him in the eleventh standard?

You will succeed without studying.

You have been a model student.

You should join more extracurricular activities.

You need to focus on your studies more seriously. (correct)

What did Hafeez Contractor say about his experiences just before receiving help from his principal?

He often copied in class during exams. Signup and view all the answers

How did Hafeez Contractor describe his feelings towards mathematics?

It caused him nightmares. Signup and view all the answers

What realization did Hafeez Contractor have over the years regarding his education?

He no longer needed to think about education. Signup and view all the answers

What influenced Hafeez Contractor's change in attitude towards studying?

A talk with his principal. Signup and view all the answers

What did Hafeez Contractor do to try to prepare for exams during his academic struggles?

He tried to obtain the examination paper in advance. Signup and view all the answers

What event led the speaker to consider a career in architecture?

Seeing a drawing error in an architect's office. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Principal of the college agree to let the speaker take the entrance exam?

They were a recommended candidate. Signup and view all the answers

What was the speaker's academic performance after deciding to pursue architecture?

They consistently ranked at the top of their class. Signup and view all the answers

What subjects did the speaker find challenging during their school years?

Languages and mathematics. Signup and view all the answers

What influenced the speaker's understanding of spatial designs?

Playing and competing with a friend. Signup and view all the answers

How did the speaker initially react to their design work in the architect's office?

They criticized a drawing they saw. Signup and view all the answers

What did the teacher, Mrs. Gupta, predict about the speaker's future?

They would be successful in architecture. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant factor that shaped the speaker's artistic abilities?

Their childhood play experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What motivated the individual to change their focus during the SSC year?

Need to pass the SSC exams Signup and view all the answers

How did the individual typically remember information from books?

By visualizing photographs Signup and view all the answers

What was the individual's attitude towards being punished in school?

They were indifferent and focused on playing Signup and view all the answers

What strategy did the individual use to gather money for movie tickets?

Collecting money from students Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the individual's view on academics?

They enjoyed pranks more than studying. Signup and view all the answers

What type of games did the individual enjoy during school years?

Outdoor games like 'chor police' Signup and view all the answers

What was the principal's reaction to the individual's second class SSC result?

They encouraged the individual, viewing it as a distinction. Signup and view all the answers

How frequently did the individual receive punishment at school?

Every week for various reasons Signup and view all the answers

What was the student's attitude towards the learning in school?

They found it boring and unengaging. Signup and view all the answers

How did the student perceive the correlation between giftedness and job outcomes?

Gifted students sometimes end up in ordinary jobs. Signup and view all the answers

What additional learning did the student value more than formal education?

Life experiences and practical skills. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'street smart' refer to in the context of the student's experiences?

Learning through practical, real-world experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What thought distracted the student during class when it rained?

The flow of water and dam construction. Signup and view all the answers

What was the student's approach to problems, such as a missing button?

Using creativity to solve the problem. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of school did the student emphasize as essential?

Rigid discipline. Signup and view all the answers

How did the student feel about tests during their schooling?

Copying answers was common. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the fourteen grand challenges for engineering identified by experts?

Advanced Personalized Learning Signup and view all the answers

Which theme does Advanced Personalized Learning fall under?

Joy of Living Signup and view all the answers

In what year did Hafeez Contractor graduate from Columbia University?

1975 Signup and view all the answers

What position did Hafeez Contractor hold at T.Khareghat in 1977?

Associate Partner Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial size of Hafeez Contractor's firm when he started in 1982?

Two employees Signup and view all the answers

Where did Hafeez Contractor serve as a visiting faculty member between 1977 and 1980?

Academy of Architecture, Mumbai Signup and view all the answers

What kind of projects has Hafeez Contractor's firm conceptualized?

A wide range of architectural projects Signup and view all the answers

Which committee is Hafeez Contractor a member of?

Bombay Heritage Committee Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hafeez Contractor's Early Education

Hafeez Contractor had a troubled school experience, particularly with mechanical learning, especially in mathematics.
He enjoyed active pursuits like games, pranks, and sports over academics, leading to poor study habits.
A pivotal moment occurred when his Principal challenged him to take responsibility for his education, prompting a change in focus towards studying.

Challenges and Turning Points

Initially, Contractor was a good student but lost interest by the third grade, engaging in copying during exams instead of studying.
His Principal's speech sparked a realization about the value of education, leading him to prioritize studying over sports.
He achieved a 50% grade in his SSC exam, which his Principal deemed a notable success for him.

Learning Style and Memory

Contractor likened his memory to photographic recall, stating he needed visual aids to retain information.
He was often caned for poor performance but remained indifferent, focused on play rather than academics.
Had a unique ability to understand concepts through practical application, such as visualizing structures and designs rather than following curricula rigidly.

Influence and Emergence in Architecture

Became interested in architecture almost by chance while learning in an architect’s office; correctly pointed out errors in detailed drawings.
His cousin’s husband encouraged him to pursue architecture seriously after recognizing his talent in design.
In college, he excelled, scoring an A+ on the entrance exam, which solidified his confidence and commitment to the field.

Insights on Education and Success

Contractor noted that many top students from his time ended up in ordinary jobs, suggesting that practical experience can yield more valuable skills than traditional education.
He reflects on 'street smarts' as crucial to learning, indicating he gained more from real-world experiences than from academic environments.
His creativity emerged through a blend of play, exploration, and hands-on problem-solving, continually contemplating practical issues like building water dams during class.

Professional Background and Achievements

Born in 1950, Contractor graduated from Tata Scholarship at Columbia University and began his professional career as an apprentice architect.
Established his own practice in 1982, growing it to over 350 employees.
His firm has completed a diverse array of projects, including residential, commercial, educational, and civic developments.

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Description

Explore the insights from an interview with Hafeez Contractor, a prominent Indian architect, as discussed with Ms. Bela Raja. This conversation emphasizes the unique potential of every child in their learning journey and interests. Understand the perspectives on educational achievement and creativity.