Leaders

In today's fast-paced world, traditional education systems are becoming obsolete. The education industry must embrace new and innovative ap­proaches to provide students with the best possi­ble education. Leaders with a transformative mindset are needed to steer the education sector in the right di­rection, and one such visionary leader is Sindhura In­dukuri, the Co-Founder and Managing Director of The Shri Ram Academy. Her passion for education has led her to create a unique educational model that focuses on providing holistic development to students.

Sindhura's dynamic and innovative approach has revolutionized the education sector, making her a trailblazer in the industry. Through her unwavering commitment to achieving the highest standards, Sind­hura has propelled The Shri Ram Hyderabad Schools, from humble beginnings to a highly esteemed estab­lishment that guidelines admiration from all corners. Below is an excerpt of Sindhura Indukuri’s exclu­sive interaction with Women Entrepreneur magazine.

What drew you towards the field of education?

Education has always been a fervent passion of mine, and it's what led me to pursue teaching jobs while studying at esteemed institutions such as BITS - Pi­lani and Babson FW. Olin Graduate School of Business. Upon completing my MBA, I knew that my calling was in the field of education, but it took some time before I could bring my aspirations to fruition. Initially, I dedi­cated myself to our family business for about five years, but my desire to contribute to education never waned. Finally, in 2017, I took the leap of faith and established The Shri Ram Universal School, a CBSE school with my partner Aishwarya.

Today, with around 2000 students enrolled, we are proud to have made a positive impact on the lives of so many children. In 2022, we opened another school, The Shri Ram Academy, which is an IB candidacy school, that will accommodate 500 students next year, and I am deeply committed to continuing our legacy of providing top-notch education to children.

What has been your experience as an entrepreneur so far? And, how have The Shri Ram Hyderabad Schools evolved and expanded over the years?

The Shri Ram Universal School was established in 2017 and began as a primary school with class V as the highest grade. Today, it is a CBSE-certified K-12 school. Our underlying motivation for founding both schools stemmed from a noticeable trend in the education in­dustry. Many schools, both then and now, focus heav­ily on global context and providing a holistic educa­tion and leadership skills. While we also value these aspects, we recognized a need for instilling strong Indian values in our students and grounding them in these principles. Being a part of the education domain for years, we knew there was a market need for this type of education, and we have been fortunate to have experienced exceptional growth within just four years. The Shri Ram Academy is one of our newer schools, currently boasting a student body of around 200 stu­dents. This same rapid growth has been evident at The Shri Ram Academy, and we are excited to continue ex­panding and making a positive impact on the educa­tion system in Hyderabad, making our schools happy spaces for learning.

Throw some light on the different responsibilities you shoulder as the co-founder & MD of The Shri Ram Hyderabad Schools. What are your key focus areas in terms of driving growth for the institution?

As a leader, my primary focus is on developing and executing the overall strategy of the organization. I work closely with the team to identify areas of growth and opportunities for expansion. I am responsible for recruiting senior positions such as the senior leader­ship team and ensuring that they align with our vision and values. Additionally, I contribute to policy-mak­ing decisions and strategic financial investments to maintain our growth trajectory. While I oversee the direction and strategic planning of the organization, I believe in empowering them to take the lead. I have a talented team in place to manage the day-to-day oper­ations of the schools. This allows me to concentrate on the bigger picture and ensure that our long-term goals are being met.

"The most significant milestones for us are the success stories of our students who have grown up to become responsible & value-driven individuals"

Tell us about the top three milestones you have achieved throughout your professional journey. What has been your Mantra for success?

Starting as a small practice with a passion for chil­dren, we have come a long way. Our drive to do more was fuelled by the feedback we received from parents who believed in us and wanted us to expand. We were motivated by the impact we were making in the lives of children and the satisfaction we derived from it. Our milestones were not just the big events, but also the daily challenges that we overcame with our passion and commitment.

Our milestones in terms of achievements, awards, and recognition have been many, however, the most significant milestones for us are the success stories of our students who have grown up to become respon­sible and value-driven individuals. Most importantly, the special needs child who is passing out of grade X this year along with the first batch of students who have been with us since inception, is the milestone that we cherish the most.

Sindhura Indukuri, Co-Founder & Managing Director, The Shri Ram Academy

Sindhura Is A Highly Accomplished Professional With A Diverse Range Of Experience In The Finance And Education Sectors. She Completed Her M.Sc In Finance From Bits Pilani And Went On To Earn An Mba From The Babson School Of Business. She Has Worked With Top Companies Such As J.P. Morgan, Ernst & Young, And Indu Projects, Gaining Valuable Experience.