Alumni Spotlight

I studied at Bridgeford School from standard 5 to 10 and those years shaped who I am today far beyond textbooks and exams. It was there that I learned how to think, how to act with integrity and how to stand up again after failing. Looking back, I can see how each lesson, each teacher, each game on the field and each activity after school laid the foundation for my life as a human being and later as an entrepreneur.

In the classroom I learned discipline and curiosity. Teachers didn’t just ask us to memorize facts. They taught us how to ask better questions. I remember the push to understand the “why” behind every concept which later became the core of my problem-solving style. Clear writing, simple presentations, and the confidence to raise a hand in class turned into the ability to communicate with customers, teams, and investors. Regular tests taught me consistency. Projects taught me ownership. Group assignments taught me how to listen even when I disagreed.

Values mattered just as much. Bridgeford placed a strong emphasis on respect, empathy, and accountability. We were taught to be on time and to keep our word. These simple habits are now the backbone of my leadership style. When I face tough choices, I fall back on the honesty and fairness that were expected of us in school. Success feels empty without integrity and that is a lesson I carry every day.

What changed me most were extra co-curricular activities and sports. Debates taught me to think on my feet and to make a clear point under pressure. Dramas and school functions taught me stage presence and the art of storytelling which later helped me pitch ideas and inspire teams. Clubs gave me a safe space to experiment and fail. Every event had deadlines, roles, and surprises which felt a lot like running projects in a company.

Sports were my real teacher in resilience. On the field I learned how to set goals, train hard and accept defeat without losing heart. A narrow loss taught me more than any easy win. Team sports taught me trust, coordination, and the power of a shared mission. Fitness built stamina which later helped me push through long workdays and challenging phases in business. Most importantly, sports taught me to stay calm when the score is against me, which is exactly what entrepreneurship demands.

Bridgeford also taught me leadership in small but meaningful ways. Becoming a class representative, organizing a house event, or helping juniors during practice showed me how leadership is service and not a title. I learned to make decisions, own mistakes, and celebrate others. These experiences prepared me to build teams with empathy and clarity.

Today I am the Founder of an AI engineering company working across AI, Analytics, Industrial IoT, and Software Engineering. My work involves building systems that solve real problems for businesses. The ability to break complex problems into simple steps comes from years of structured learning at school. The courage to try new things comes from the stage and the sports ground. The patience to iterate until we get it right comes from long practice sessions and exam seasons. Most of all, the belief that character is as important as competence is a direct gift of Bridgeford.

When I think of my journey from standard 5 to 10, I see more than grades. I see teachers who pushed me kindly. Friends who competed with me and stood by me. Matches we won and lost. Events we planned in a rush that somehow worked out. Every piece of it trained my mind and my heart.

Bridgeford School didn’t just prepare me for a career. It prepared me for life. It taught me to show up, to do the work, to help others, to handle pressure, and to keep learning. As an entrepreneur these are the qualities that matter when the path is unclear and the stakes are high. For that I remain deeply grateful to my school, my mentors, and the spirit of growth that began there and continues every day.

Character is as important as competence – a lesson that stays for life.

Pratik Shukla

Founder – AI Engineering Company