Student who helped classmates is now CM:Teacher Kokila Sen shares memories of Mohan Yadav’s school days and love for Biology

Long before he became the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav was a disciplined and responsible student who often helped fellow students solve their problems. Kokila Sen, his former teacher, shared anecdotes from his school days, highlighting his early leadership qualities and academic dedication. Speaking to Dainik Bhaskar during the State-Level Educational Quality Teachers’ Conference held in Bhopal on Wednesday, Kokila Sen said, “Dr. Mohan Yadav often brought other children’s concerns to teachers. Even his friends relied on him to communicate their issues. I could see his leadership potential even back then. He neither misbehaved nor tried to avoid teachers. His dedication to studies, sports, and respect for teachers are the qualities that took him to the state’s highest office.” Leadership skills evident even in school Kokila Sen taught Physics at the Government Jeevajiganj School in Ujjain from 1979 to 1981. She said Dr. Mohan Yadav was a serious student from class 9 to 12, both academically and behaviorally. “If a friend wanted to convey anything to a teacher, they would ask Mohan Yadav to speak on their behalf,” she recalled. The teacher noted that he was calm, polite, and disciplined, requiring no corrective measures. “Such students are not changed by teachers; they are encouraged and guided,” she said. Balanced approach: Excelling academically and in sports Dr. Yadav was not only a bright student in academics but also actively participated in sports and extracurricular activities, Kokila Sen said. “He maintained a rare balance—equally engaged in the classroom, the lab, and on the field,” she added. Biology was his favorite subject While Mohan Yadav studied Physics under Kokila Sen, he showed greater interest in Biology. The biology lab was located next to the physics lab, and he often visited to observe models and practical experiments. “Children often find Physics and Maths intimidating, but Mohan Yadav approached every subject with curiosity and dedication,” the teacher said. A teacher’s prophecy comes true Kokila Sen shared a memorable incident from when Dr. Mohan Yadav became Education Minister: “I told him, ‘This is just the beginning; many more positions are waiting for you.’ Today, that statement has come true.” She emphasized that the qualities observed in children during school often remain with them throughout life. “From his school days to now, his respect for teachers has remained unchanged. When he met me after becoming Chief Minister, his demeanor was exactly the same as it was in school,” she said. A legacy of discipline and respect Dr. Mohan Yadav’s journey from a student who helped peers resolve their problems to Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh reflects a consistent pattern of leadership, responsibility, and respect for education. His former teacher’s recollections provide a rare insight into the formative years of a political leader whose discipline and dedication were evident long before his rise to the highest office in the state.