Professor C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice-Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), Sonipat, Haryana, underscored the central role of education in India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047, describing it as “the single most important factor that will determine the nation’s future.”
Speaking at the Vision for Indian Education 2030 session organised by BW Education, Kumar reflected on India’s transformation from just 20 universities at Independence to more than 1,000 today, catering to a student population of over 40 million. He said this expansion demonstrates the country’s success in democratising higher education through accessibility and “frugal innovation.”
“If Hollywood spends millions to make Interstellar or The Martian, India actually sends real people to the Moon and Mars for less,” he remarked, highlighting the nation’s ability to achieve global milestones through efficiency and innovation.
Kumar, who was recognised as the BW Education Institutional Builder of the Year 2025, dedicated the honour to his team at JGU and to the university’s Founding Chancellor, Naveen Jindal. He praised Jindal’s “extraordinarily generous philanthropy” and commitment to academic freedom, noting that “Jindal has invested not just resources but trust — nearly Rs 4,000 crore — to create an institution built on autonomy and integrity.”
He also acknowledged the support of his family, especially his wife, Pratibha Jain, Group General Counsel and Head of Strategy at Everstone Group, for her “immense personal and professional sacrifices.”
Anurag Batra, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, BW Businessworld, who presented the honour, lauded Kumar as “a tireless academic leader who balances rigour, kindness, and relentless drive,” adding that his leadership and empathy have inspired peers across academia.
Concluding his address, Kumar urged that education must remain at the core of India’s policy vision: “As India strives towards Viksit Bharat 2047, education will define the trajectory of our democracy, economy, and global leadership.”
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