Shri Kathuria is an engineer by qualification, a business entrepreneur by profession, and an educationist-philanthropist by choice. Having secured several technical degrees and reached the summit in his industrial career, Mr. Kathuria decided to give it all up for the love of mother earth. He took up various land related activities including farming and property development. He was the first big land developer in the Sarjapur area, even before the property boom of the 1990s. His passion for social service and his dream of providing high standards of education at affordable cost has led him to found the Smt. Sarala Devi Kathuria Memorial Educational Trust with the purpose of developing premier educational institutes for the residents of the Sarjapur area. He is the guiding force behind Saandeepani Academy of Excellence.

Having experienced life as a homemaker, a mother, a horticulturist and a farmer, Smt Manju Kathuria uses lessons learnt in the school of life in the administration of the trust. She manages the scholarship and charitable programs and oversees the functioning of the various activities of the trust.

After completing her PhD from the University of Leeds, UK in 1999, Dr. Prarthana Gupta dove into the field of education. From 1999 to 2008 she worked in various capacities of preschool teacher, high school teacher, instructor and principal in different schools across the globe (USA, China, Saudi Arabia and India). Culminating her varied experience and her passion to positively influence the society we live in, she started Cherry Blossoms Pre School in 2008 and Saandeepani Academy in 2011. She firmly believes that a school should teach us how to live and not just how to make a living.

Shri Sandeep Gupta is an engineer by profession. In his career spanning 25 years he has worked for major steel plants in India and abroad. After spending considerable time in countries like Saudi Arabia, USA, China, Mexico, and Canada. Mr. Gupta returned to the country to set up his company in 2006 that provides process automation consultancy services to steel plants. He has provided services to plants in Philippines and Iran, and major plants in India. He is a strong believer in the phrase “Knowledge is the true power” and that the education system should empower young minds to become thinkers. Slowly but surely, the country should attain the position of leaders of the world. His strong desire to contribute to society led him to be a part of the Smt Sarala Devi Kathuria Memorial Educational Trust.

A biophysicist by training, Dr. Sagar Kathuria served as a faculty member of the University of Massachusetts Medical School and is currently working with Sanofi Genzyme. Besides his academic pursuits, he is also interested in the history of Indian art and culture. He believes that a well-rounded education provides individuals the means to discover themselves and shape the society they live in. Our heritage of learning will provide the world with the leaders of tomorrow. He is also a sports enthusiast and athlete having participated in several international marathon races. He believes that a sound mind resides in a healthy body.

Dr. Madhavi Kolli is a structural biologist and a public health professional by training. In addition to her research, she is also interested in art, music and culture from all over the world. She strongly believes that education is not just an accumulation of information and a means to a livelihood. It is a lifelong process that needs to start at an early stage that allows individuals to develop their intellect, customs and values.TS Eliot (The Rock): “Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?”

Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan
Former Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission of India

Chancellor, Martin Luther Christian University

Professor and Fellow - Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research

Former Professor and Dean, IISc, Bengaluru

Former Professor, IISc, Bengaluru

PhD University of Sydney, HoD-School Organisation, Leadership and Management, Azim Premji University

MA Ed, Azim Premji University; MBA, XLRI
Education Consultant

Founder Director – Teacher Ink; Vice President – Edupaedia Consultancy Services