An uncompromising visionary’s labour of love, the success story of the Ramagya Group is inextricable from that of its founder, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who continues to inspire and light the way through his gallant endeavour to educate and uplift the society.
The story behind every great institution or organization is a deeply cherished one. Often recounted with pride, it is one that defines and shapes the institution, lending it an identity distinct from that of others. In fact, the more remarkable its story, the more hallowed a character the institution appears to take on. One such incredible story is that of the Ramagya Group. Comprising schools, pre-schools, an academy for sports, a coaching centre for medical and engineering studies, an NGO, a dog shelter, and an import-export company among others, the group is involved in myriad social, educational, and charitable activities for the common good. A brief look at its history and foundation reveals that an extraordinary enterprise such as this could only have been the result of extraordinary ambition, bravado and struggle.
Struggle, Survival & Success — The Story of Dr. Sanjay Gupta
The story of the Ramagya Group is inextricable from that of its founder, Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Born to a family of meagre means in Old Delhi, Dr. Gupta was the eldest among four siblings. Even as a young boy, he had to work several odd jobs to supplement the family income. He fixed watches, made candles, ran errands for shopkeepers, and repaired scooters. All the while, he continued his studies through correspondence. Slowly, through immense grit and hard work, Dr. Gupta was able to set up a small business of inexpensive watches and audio and video cassettes. Soon, the business started picking up, enabling him to save money for future business investments.
When Dr. Gupta finally got an opportunity to establish a big business, he was urged by most to set up a hospital or banquet hall; both enterprises promised immediate financial returns. But Dr. Gupta had other plans. Never having enjoyed the privilege of studying in the conducive environment of a good school, he was painfully aware of the importance of a sound education and thus determined to found a world-class school that would benefit generations of children.
Dr. Gupta’s long-cherished dream of establishing a school finally saw fruition in the year 2005, following nearly 12 years of struggle.
Diversity in Institutionalism
The Ramagya Group today comprises an array of institutions associated with – but not restricted to – education. There is the Ramagya Group of Schools (six schools), Ramagya Sports Academy, Ramagya Coaching Institute, Ramagya First Step (Day Care), and Ramagya Roots (Pre-Schools). Besides these, there is also the Ramagya Foundation (an NGO), Knowledge Vista (an online learning portal), Nishabd (a dog shelter), and Ruchika Sales Corporation (an import export company).
Ranked amongst the top 30 schools in India by Forbes, the Ramagya Schools are affiliated to the CBSE & CIE boards. The Ramagya Sports Academy is also regarded as one of the top 10 Sports Academies in India, while the Ramagya Institute for engineering and medical coaching is ranked among the top 15 Institutes by the India Today Group.
Watch: How Ramagya School inspires its students to think big
It must be noted that his extraordinary entrepreneurial skills and business acumen apart, Dr. Gupta is widely known for his philanthropic activities. These include constructing homes for the underprivileged, and providing them with free education and skill development. Pertinently, his NGO the Ramagya Foundation proactively came forward to feed lakhs of migrant labourers during the recent COVID-19 lockdown. Moreover, the Foundation’s ‘Baal Saathee’ project is dedicated to identifying and helping young children suffering from conditions like depression, anxiety, and sexual harassment.
A symbol of success against all odds, Dr. Gupta has been a recipient of several prestigious awards and recognition in India and abroad. He received the ‘Times Power Icon Award’ for exemplary contribution to the field of education and also won the Award for Extraordinary Contribution in Education from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath and Chairman of Zee News Subhash Chandra. In 2014, he was accorded Honorary Doctorate Degree in Kuala Lumpur by The Open International University for Complementary Medicines, Sri Lanka.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta – Individual Honours & Accolades
- Excellence in Education Sector – The Times Group
- Featured in the 2019 Edition of the Times of India Coffee Table Book
- Extraordinary Contribution in Education – Zee News
- Reformers of Indian Education – India Today Conclave
Education that is Forward-Looking
Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s idea of setting up a school wasn’t merely about establishing an institution that disseminated education, but one that inculcated holistic values and life lessons, shaping well-balanced individuals prepared for the vicissitudes of life. So while the Ramagya Schools are known for their high pedagogical standards, students are also encouraged to take part in various extracurricular activities. With student and teacher exchange programmes for international exposure, Robotics education, state-of-the-art infrastructure including 3D laboratories and smart classes, classrooms with ideal student-teacher ratio of 25:1, and contemporary teaching methods that incorporate the best practices of Maria Montessori and Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligences among others, education at Ramagya Schools is qualitatively on a par with global standards. With such a rigorous system in place, little wonder that the group – only 15 years old – already boasts alumni with outstanding academic accomplishments, including many who went on to be selected in IITs, IIMs and other prestigious institutes.
Watch: Ramagya School featured in the Great Indian Schools Season 2 Episode 1
Even at Ramagya Roots – group of pre-schools – toddlers are exposed to a Finland-based curriculum, especially designed to stimulate young minds. This is in keeping with the importance accorded to a sound educational foundation at Ramagya Group.
The Ramagya Group of Schools has won several awards and received ample recognition from various quarters. It was ranked number 4 in the ‘Best School’ category in Noida by the Times of India, and received the ‘Leading School in NCR for Innovative Curriculum and Academic Excellence’ award from the World Education Summit. Besides these, it was recognized as having the ‘Best Sports Culture in NCR’ by the Times group.
Ramagya Schools is also a recipient of the ‘WORLD 100 21st Century Education Award, 2019’ by World 100 Educators Awards and was most recently honoured with the Excellence Award in the category ‘#salute2teachers – Online Classes with Innovation, Engagement, Extracurricular Fiesta, Emotional Wellbeing and Edutainment’ by the National Career Counsellors Network (NCCN) at the 2nd Edition of Career Hackathon in April 2020.
Ramagya School — Major Awards & Recognitions
- Best Practicing School for Online Classes during COVID-19 – NCN Excellence Awards
- #1 School in India for Individual Attention to Students – Education Today
- Best Academic Curriculum, Excellence in Education Awards 2019
- Ranked #4 among “Top Schools in Noida” – The Times of India
- Ranked #5 among “Best Schools in Noida” – ClassFever
- Ranked #30 among “Great Indian Schools” – Forbes India
- Most Outstanding International School in North India – National Education Acme Awards
- Excellence in Global Collaborative Learning – Think Unique Leadership Awards
- Innovative Practices for Academic Excellence – 13th World Education Awards 2018
- Excellence in Inclusive Education – International United Education Fraternity
- World 100 21st Century Education Award – Future of Learning Unconference
- One of the Best Schools of India – Brainfeed School Excellence Award 2018-19
- #9 among Noida’s Co-ed Day Schools – Education World
- #3 for Academic Excellence – Digital Learning
- #5 for Future-ready Infrastructure – Digital Learning
- Pride of Education, Brand of India – NewsX
- Best Quality Education School in North India – Indian Education Awards
- School Leadership & Inspirational Award – Education Today
- #4 in Challengers Category, Top Schools of North India 2018 Survey – The Times of India
- Top 20 CBSE Schools in Uttar Pradesh 2017 – Times Education Icons
An Embodiment of Light and Hope
Many decades ago, a young and penniless Dr. Sanjay Gupta used to try and make a livelihood making and selling candles on the pavements of Old Delhi. Today, through his unrelenting grit and hard work, he owns an empire that is helping millions accomplish their dream of a fine education and future. Serendipitously, he is continuing to light the way through his praiseworthy and undaunted endeavours in the areas of education and social service.
Watch: The Mission of the Ramagya Foundation
