Ashok Gupta Rise &
Reform Honour
For Bold Reform and Educational Upliftment
Ashok Gupta
Ashok Gupta
Few educators possess the foresight to dream beyond their time, and even fewer have the resilience to turn those dreams into institutions that outlive them. Dr. Ashok Gupta was one such pioneer, a quiet visionary who transformed the educational landscape of Rajasthan with wisdom, humility, and an unwavering commitment to service.
In 1977, he laid the foundation of Maheshwari Public School, a modest dream that grew into a model of academic rigour and values-based learning. But he didn’t stop there.
With the establishment of India International School in 1990, Dr. Gupta introduced global education to Jaipur, long before the term became fashionable. It wasn’t just about world-class curricula; it was about shaping rooted global citizens.
Over the next three decades, he built an entire educational ecosystem. From the International College for Girls (now the IIS University) to institutes for management, technology, early years learning, and even a community radio station, each venture was laced with purpose and future-readiness. He was a builder not of buildings, but of belief, in equity, in excellence, and in education as a force for social good.
His academic repertoire was as vast as his vision, holding degrees in Management, English, Journalism, and Hotel Management, and representing India at over 40 international conferences. Yet, despite the accolades, including the President of India’s National Award for Teachers, it was his empathy that left a lasting mark. Students remember his warmth; colleagues, his leadership by example.
Dr. Gupta’s influence extended beyond classrooms. As a Rotarian, he led transformative initiatives in health, literacy, and community development across multiple states. Even in his final years, he remained a learner, a mentor, and a man in motion.
Today, his legacy lives on through the IIS Group, led with dedication by his sons, Amit and Sumit Gupta. Their commitment to carrying forward his vision ensures that the light he once lit continues to guide generations to come.
The Dr. Ashok Gupta Memorial Award stands as a tribute to this extraordinary legacy, of building not just institutions, but futures.
Why This Award Exists
For the Reformers Who Changed What Was Possible
The Ashok Gupta Rise & Reform Honour recognises educators who challenge convention and create lasting impact through education.
Inspired by Dr. Ashok Gupta’s belief that education is a force for social progress, the award celebrates individuals who lead meaningful change, expand opportunities, and reimagine what is possible for future generations.
It honours those who do not simply work within existing systems, but strive to improve them, carrying forward a legacy of vision, innovation, and purpose.
2025 Awardee
Dr. Deepak Madhok
Dr. Deepak Madhok has built the Sunbeam Group into one of the most respected education networks in Eastern India - not through shortcuts, but through a steady commitment to quality, values, and the belief that every child deserves an exceptional teacher.
As Chairman of Sunbeam Group of Educational Institutions, he has overseen the growth of a chain that now spans multiple cities, serving thousands of students with a consistently high standard of education.
Words of Honour
"Dr. Deepak Madhok has done what reformers do - he has made quality education available to many who might otherwise have been denied it, and done so without compromising on what quality means. The Ashok Gupta Rise & Reform Honour goes to an educator who, like Ashok Gupta himself, believes that doing right and doing well are not in conflict."- ScooNews Memorial Awards Jury, 2025
Award Ceremony - 2025
Moments from the inaugural ScooNews Memorial Awards at Global Ed-Fest 2025, Jaipur.
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