Education is a fundamental tool in building a healthy society. Education provides life transforming opportunities and instills values in children, who are the future of any country, says Manjula Pooja Shroff, MD & CEO of Kalorex Group in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).
Born in Royal family of the Indian State Odisha, Ms Manjula Pooja Shroff is a motivated, energetic and revolutionary leader. She completed her graduation from Women’s College – Odisha and got her Post Graduate Degree from York University. She is also an Executive Alumnus of London School of Economics, holding a Post-Graduate degree from Utkal University and a Graduate degree of Management Education from IIM, Ahmedabad.
EDUPRENEUR:
An educationist at heart, she is regarded by many as the change agent for schooling in the state of Gujarat. Her entrepreneurial spirit and her passion for education gave her vision roots and Circa 1995 was when it all started. With 16 teachers and 400 students, the first institution, Delhi Public School – affiliated to CBSE -was established.
Since then there has been no looking back and today there are 40+ institutions (Pre- School to University) in two countries, eight cities, running under the Kalorex banner, having 1,2000 plus students from more than 24 nationalities.
The use of technology is one of the major USPs of Kalorex. Teachers demonstrate an understanding of emerging classroom technologies through continuous trainings that exhibit knowledge, attitudes, and skills of digital age work and learning leading to a 21st century teacher.
Under the guidance of Manjula Pooja Shroff, Kalorex Group has expanded its presence not only in India but also globally. A few of the group’s internationally famed institutions are:
♦ Delhi Public School- Bopal, Ahmedabad
♦ Delhi Public School- East, Ahmedabad
♦ Calorx Public School across verious locations
♦ Kalorex PreSchool
♦ Kalorex Champion School
♦ International FZC headquartered at Ajman
SOCIAL SERVICE:
Much before setting up her enterprise, she was inclined towards her all consuming passion for social service. Right from her young days she has been taking initiatives to help the various group of the society. Some of her Social initiatives are:
♦ Started a Public Recreation Park at Shahid Nagar, Bhubaneshwar providing facilities such a basketball with floodlight facility, Indoor Chess, IT, Gym, Outdoor play ground, jogging path, etc 1989.
♦ Supported Child Relief & You [CRY] New Delhi, 1993.
♦ Started Visamo Shelter Camp for earthquake victims in 2001.This camp provided shelter to 1800 people for two months. Provided Psychological healing to women and children through various therapies. Besides aiding the victims to settle down through donating household items and food kits.
♦ Rehabilitated two villages destroyed during the Gujarat earthquake
♦ Adopted the Karuna Trust Hospital for one month to provide orthopedic operations for the earthquake victims. 40 patients were provided foreign implants as well as Jaipur Foot, besides medical therapy.
Kalorex is actively involved in CSR projects that have had a direct impact on disadvantaged sections of society. Shroff’s commitment to cater to all sections of the society and to all needs of the students led to a one of its kind institute by the name of KALOREX “PRERNA”, a first of its kind its school for Dyslexic Children.
An educationist at heart, she is regarded by many as the change agent for schooling in the state of Gujarat
THE HUMANITARIAN:
Shroff instituted the Dr. K.R. Shroff Memorial Lecture series as a tribute to her Father-in-law, Dr. K. R. Shroff (1921 -1987) who received his MRCP (Member of Royal College of Physicians) at London in 1950 before returning to India. He was associated with Civil Hospital at Ahmadabad as an honorary physician and associate professor for over 25 years.
VOCATIONAL INITIATIVES:
Shroff strongly advocates the importance of skill development as part of the mainstream education. She has been instrumental in setting up the Vocational & Educational Development Institute of Calorx (VEDIC). Here women are given skill based training for employability in the industry.
Calorx Teachers’ University – A University for Teacher Training is also giving aspiring teachers an integrated programme for a degree in Education. Interestingly students from tribal communities show great interest in these courses as these graduates get equipped to go back to their rural settings and get teaching jobs.
Shroff is working towards integrating Skill Development in mainstream education through her participation and involvement with the Vibrant Gujarat Summit where she plays an active role in decision making and mooting educational initiatives in the state of Gujarat.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS:
Shroff has been the recipient of several awards. Among them, the prestigious Secular India Award from the President of India, Shankar Dayal Sharma, and Woman of the Year by American Bibliography Society, North Carolina.
♦ Secular India Harmony Award (United Children’s Movement) by the then President of India Shankar Dayal Sharma
♦ Bharat Vikas Award from International Business Council
♦ Eminent Citizen of India Award by National & International Compendium
♦ 21st Century Millennium Award by International Institute of Education & Management
♦ Education Excellence Award and Vidya Rattan Award by Management Studies Promotion Institute
♦ Awarded “Contemporary Who’s Who” and “Women of the Year” by American Biographical Society, North Carolina ♦ Pride of India International Award by International Business Council
♦ Honorary Fellowship by Australian – Asian Institute of Civil Leadership
♦ Felicitated “Nari Shakti Award” by Jasu Shilpi Foundation
♦ Conferred with “Women Entrepreneur of the Year” at India Education Awards 2017
BRAND KALOREX: Kalorex wishes to expand to 100 cities across India, Middle East and other countries of Asia through a strong network of Business associates. The 40+ Institutions of Kalorex is a mix of self-owned and investment led partnerships by Investors who wish to make a mark in education.
