AsiaOne Magazine April-May 2018 Issue

GLOBAL asian
2017
Dr Manjula
Pooja Shroff
hurdles keep obstructing the journey. It is important not to
lose focus of the final objective.”
However, the present scenario is quite different from
what it used to be when she started her journey. Armed
with the support of an effective intelligentsia, she asserts,
“I have a competent team in my organization which takes
care of most challenges that may arise. Principals of all
the schools are empowered decision makers. Team work
and brainstorming sessions usually throw up a plethora of
ideas which may be applied to overcome any challenges.”
A SUCCEssFUL ODYssEY
Nurturing a dream of establishing her own identity
– and in the process seeking welfare of the society
through educational empowerment – with an unceasing
determination and a resolve to carry on despite
impediments, Dr Manjula Pooja Shroff’s odyssey from
a girl of a conservative family who defied all odds to
pursue her education to a renowned and well-reputed
entrepreneur is exemplary for the young generation who
admires her and derives inspiration from her success.
Resting elegantly on the coveted throne of success, she
describes, “What I see as an achievement is the fact that
I moved out of my conventional setup of a Royal family
and pursued higher education, which was a rarity for
girls of my family. I had a clear vision of what it was that
I wished to create for my success, which was to give
all students an opportunity to get quality education. So
that was when my first institute came up – the Delhi
Public School at Bopal, Ahmedabad. The success and
high acceptability of that venture gave me the motivation
to build more such institutes. Small successes kept
building on for my dream to turn into a reality.”
A successful journey is often accompanied by hurdles,
however, it is one’s perception towards the hindrance
which makes all the difference, as success is not
determined by lack of obstacles, but by one’s reaction
to them. Beaming with positivity, Dr Shroff shares some
of the challenges she came across and throws insights
on the ways of dealing with them tactfully, “There are
all kinds of challenges that keep making you stronger
and more determined in your beliefs. The challenges
of moving to a new city, starting a new venture, getting
acceptance as a woman entrepreneur, rigid government
systems, all added to my experience and kept building
my resilience. I learnt that difficult times don’t last
and things smoothen out eventually. Small bumps and
WELCoMING REForMs wITH OPEN ArMs
Change is the most inevitable fact of life and one’s
adaptability to change determines one’s success according
to the renowned biologist Charles Darwin. Looking
forward to the reforms in the educational sector, Dr Shroff
elaborates, “Educational reforms are eagerly awaited
through the new Education Policy expected to roll out soon.
The parochialism of the Indian education system needs to
be done away with and newer thought process needs to
emerge and evolve. Teacher training must be enhanced
and new age pedagogies implemented in each classroom.”
Vehemently advocating a public-private partnership in the
educational sector, she emphasizes, “The government
must collaborate with the private sector and towards
holistic improvement of the system. Any decision by the
government must take into consideration the efforts that
entrepreneurs put into their ventures and the amount of
private investments that go into it.”
REVELLING IN SUCCEss
Successful people are known and celebrated for varied
things, some are known for their skills and talents, while
some others are famous for their courage or profound
impact on society. However, the thing which most
successful people have in common is their ability to inspire
others. Dr Shroff is one such personality who takes pride in
the success of her students and inspires them to reach the
pinnacle of success. According to her, “There have been
many moments small and big which give us reasons to
celebrate. DPS students topping the charts in the city and
state ranking year after year are proud moments indeed.
When I see Kalorex students excelling in their chosen
careers and placed in good positions across the globe it is
always a proud moment.”
The success of her students being the greatest motivator
of all, propels her to put in all the more dedicated efforts in
“Dr Shroff’s message for the youth, who look up to her
as their role model is ‘Choose your profession by your
passion. And then put your everything into making it
happen for you.’”
86 | ASIA ONE | april-mAY 2018