Normally, my day begins with a prayer. I ask God to give me the strength to be sincere about the decision I have taken.

This time of the year -- June and July -- my prayer is different. I start the day asking God, `let this day be safe.' And I end the day saying grace.

Being principal of a school used to be a glamorous job 15 years ago. No longer. Every June, there is more anxiety than excitement. During the brief annual holiday in May, there is just one thought, `When I go back, admissions will begin.' I have told my management, I'd be happy if someone takes over this responsibility of admissions, and I be allowed to run the school.

Running a school devours much energy. Safety of a child is the main concern. Staircases, windows, pencils, compasses -- children can hurt themselves in many ways. Every day in the school is a miracle.

I can handle that stress.But during admissions, subtle pressures from people who wield power begin. The school's performance is suddenly under scrutiny, `files' are opened. Every morning there are butterflies in the stomach, there is physical insecurity. Fear and anxieties run high, a principal doesn't have too many hopes.

There are the stream of visitors, parents seeking admissions. You try to meet as many as possible, stretching the visiting hours beyond endurance. There are days when your only thought is, how do I avoid them.

ON BEING SEEN AS THE VILLAIN: I understand the anxiety of parents, their frustrations. I would feel the same if I were in their place. When I listen to them, I present a bold front, but I feel sorry they are so helpless, have no choice. They're worried, if I don't get my child to a good school, where do I go?

In the same way, people representing the parents are also frustrated. They try to use their power, and don't always succeed. We receive recommendations in hundreds -- from ministers andgovernment officials of every hue. The recommendations exceed the number of seats available. There are too many social workers.

I'd like to say yes to everyone. When I try to reason with parents and social workers, they understand ... as long as we are not discussing their case.

Each parent thinks he's the only case. Everyone wants access to the principal, they don't trust anyone else. But there's a limit to how many people you can talk to. When I reason with each visitor, it takes 20 minutes. Okay, you try it with ten people, then you get tired. You treat the eleventh brusquely, and if he's a trouble-maker, he takes out his anger. The principal becomes the villain.

This is why we have seen attacks on principals in recent times. Violence is not the way of sorting out frustrations. Violence and pressures only create bitterness and animosity. And the fear psychosis rises when violence is directed towards women.

TOO FEW SCHOOLS: I don't have access to any researched survey, but I don'tthink schools have increased substantially in the past 20 years. Make a casual survey of your area -- how many new schools do you see there?

On the demand side, population has increased. The awareness of English medium schools has increased. Now I have a tanner from Dharavi and a doodhwala seeking admissions for their children to our school. People from Kurla to Byculla apply here. Ex-students of Marathi schools like Balmohan come here for their children's education. There's a dearth of quality English-medium schools.

As long as supply isn't proportionate to demand, people will try and take advantage. Might will continue to be right. Might of power, might of violence, might of money. Principals have to bear the brunt.

During meetings to discuss the Pre-Primary Act, I offered a suggestion. Why not allow us to run government schools ? Give it to good trusts -- Arya Vidya Mandirs, Goenkas -- trusts which already run quality schools. Give us the same funds, allow us to appoint our own teachers. Thatcould be one way to sort this mess.

A change in policy is also needed. Regulations are stacked against people starting English medium schools. No grants are given, there are curbs on schools raising their own funds. Education is not going to be cheap. You have to pay teachers well, provide the infrastructure. At Don Bosco, we offer splendid facilities at the same price as municipal schools. That was because of the efforts put in by priests who started the place. Now it's not easy to do that.

Long-term solutions are called for. Till then, every year, parents and principals will spend sleepless nights. Principals will have to continue anticipating violence and call for police protection in the months of admission. We make 700-800 enemies every year. I will have to worry, it could be my turn (to be assaulted) next.

(As told to Shankar Ramachandran)