Twelve visionaries. Twelve inspiring stories. A million lives transformed.
Education in India has changed rapidly in the past couple of decades, owing to shifting needs, the advent of new technology, and wider demographics. Whether it is Shaheen Mistri's introduction of the 'Teach for India' fellowship, which changed the landscape of teaching in disadvantaged areas of the country, or Anita Karwal's government-implemented policies to standardize educational procedures, the country's academic landscape has grown in significant ways.From school founders like Riverside School's Kiran Bir Sethi, Ryan International's Grace Pinto, Ashoka University's Pramath Raj Sinha and Ashish Dhawan, Prajodh Rajan of Eurokids, GEMS Education's Sunny Varkey, NIIT's Rajendra Pawar to edtech innovators like Eruditus' Ashwin Damera, upGrad's Ronnie Screwvala, and Aakash Institute's Dr J.C. Chaudhry; the people featured in this book have been at the forefront of elevating India's educational landscape. Through their personal stories, big decisions, leadership styles, and life lessons, Pencils and Purpose sheds limelight on leaders who have dedicated their life's purpose to elevate India's educational landscape.
Rakesh Gupta is the Founder and Managing Partner of LoEstro Advisors, India's #1 ranked advisory firm in the education sector. Rakesh brings over fifteen years of experience in fundraising, M&A and strategy, and has experience of closing transactions exceeding $2Bn and advising leading education groups of the country. Rakesh graduated from ISB and IIT Kharagpur, is an Ex-McKinsey strategy consultant and Ex-Microsoft SDE, and is the author of two books on education, Don't Build Your School Brand Without Us and Don't Build Your University Brand Without Us.
Udayan Nath works with the education and emerging clients practice at LoEstro Advisors, one of India's fastest growing investment banking firms, and covers businesses across education, consumer, technology and allied sectors for M&A and equity fundraising mandates. Udayan carries over three years of work experience and is a LinkedIn Top Voice with 30K+ community. Udayan is a graduate from Christ University, Bangalore.
Sumit Handa is a seasoned business leader, advisor, and entrepreneur with over two decades of deep experience in advising over hundred leading education ventures of the country across various areas of strategy, marketing and operations. Sumit brings deep operating experience at one of India's leading international K-12 groups, and FMCG giants including Tata Consumer Products and ITC. Sumit graduated from SCMHRD and is the author of two books on education, Don't Build Your School Brand Without Us and Don't Build Your University Brand Without Us.
