Mrs. Manju Bharat Ram
(29th Dec 1945- 12th Dec 2012)

An ardent educationist who believed in child-centric and value-based quality learning, Mrs. Manju Bharat Ram was dedicated to transforming education in India encompassing both the privileged and the underprivileged sections of the society. The Shri Ram Schools (TSRS), established by her in 1988, stand as a living testament to her visionary ideals.

Mrs. Manju Bharat Ram also laid great emphasis on inclusiveness by reserving 10 per cent of seats for children with special needs. Additionally, she founded SRF Vidyalaya in Chennai in 1991, catering to underprivileged children from nearby villages. This initiative stands as a remarkable demonstration of her unwavering commitment to the cause of education.

As a staunch advocate of quality education in India, Mrs. Manju Bharat Ram had the honour of representing various government and non-government organisations dedicated to the field of education in different capacities. She served on the boards of renowned organisations including Kendriya Vidyalaya, Bharti Foundation, Save the Children – India, Pratham and the Lady Irwin College, New Delhi.

Her philanthropic activities extended to other fields as well. She worked with Mrs. Kamladevi Chattopadhyay and Mrs. Rukmani Devi Arundale in the fields of art, culture and crafts. She has also collaborated with Mary Clubwalla in Chennai, working alongside the Guild of Service. Their joint efforts focused on empowering widows by providing them with vocational training, enabling them to acquire skills through which they could become self-sufficient. She also served as the Trustee and Honorary General Secretary of the Blind Relief Association since 1968.

Born on 29th December 1945, Mrs. Manju Bharat Ram completed her schooling and college education in Delhi. Later, she married Mr. Arun Bharat Ram, a well-known businessman and currently the Chairman of SRF Limited. As a board member of SRF Foundation, the social arm of SRF Limited, Mrs. Manju Bharat Ram played a crucial role in the Foundation’s initiative to adopt 40 government schools in the Mewat region of Haryana. Her instrumental involvement in this endeavour contributed to the Foundation’s efforts in improving the educational landscape and providing support to underprivileged schools in the region.

Her priceless contributions have garnered recognition through numerous prestigious awards. She received the Priyadarshini Award in 1989, the Karamveer Puraskar in 1989, the President’s Award in 2003 and was posthumously honoured with the Padma Shri in 2013. These accolades bear witness to her extraordinary commitment and significant impact in the realms of education and social service.

May her belief that “The children must love to come to school every day” live on and on…