The Mohini Bakshi
Spirit of Possibility Prize
For Inspiring Hope, Possibility, and Purpose
Mohini Bakshi
Mohini Bakshi
Some leaders build institutions. Others build faith. Mrs. Mohini Bakshi did both, with grace, resilience, and a quiet belief in the power of education to change lives.
Founder and Principal Director of the Seedling Group of Institutions in Jaipur and Udaipur, Mrs. Bakshi was a force of nurture and vision. What began as a small pre primary school grew, under her care and conviction, into a thriving educational group that today includes a university, medical college, and hospital. Her life’s work stands as a testament to what a woman with purpose can create and how deeply those efforts can transform communities and generations.
Honoured by Smt. Pratibha Patil, the then Governor of Rajasthan, in 2007, along with numerous other recognitions, Mrs. Bakshi remained grounded in humility and service. She led not with noise, but with presence, creating spaces where education was not only academic but deeply human, where students felt seen, valued, and inspired, and where women were encouraged to recognise their strength and potential.
Her sons, Dr. Sandeep Bakshi and Mr. Hardeep Bakshi, continue to carry forward her vision with dedication, expanding the impact of the institutions she founded while remaining true to her values.
The Mohini Bakshi Spirit of Possibility Prize is a tribute to her unwavering belief in what is possible. It celebrates educators who, like her, inspire hope, nurture confidence, and create opportunities for others to flourish.
Through every life she touched, Mrs. Mohini Bakshi ignited a spark of possibility, and through this award, her legacy continues to guide and inspire future generations.
Why This Award Exists
For Those Who Make Students Believe in Themselves
Mrs. Mohini Bakshi believed that the greatest role of an educator is to help individuals recognise their own potential. She inspired confidence, nurtured aspirations, and encouraged countless students to believe in possibilities beyond their immediate circumstances.
The Mohini Bakshi Spirit of Possibility Prize honours educators who embody this same belief and have made a meaningful difference through their ability to inspire, uplift, and empower others.
It recognises individuals whose impact is measured not only by institutions built or programmes created, but by the confidence they instil, the hope they nurture, and the sense of purpose they awaken in the lives they touch.
2025 Awardee
Dr. Arthi Ganesh
Dr. Arthi Ganesh exemplifies the rare combination of quiet conviction and bold vision that defines transformative leadership in education. As Pro Chancellor of VELS University and Managing Trustee of the Vels Group of Institutions, she oversees a vast educational network spanning India, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates, impacting the lives of thousands of students and educators. Building upon a strong legacy of educational excellence, she has championed innovation through smart classrooms, inclusive learning centres for differently abled children, international collaborations, teacher training initiatives, cultural programmes, sustainability practices, and specialised support for underserved learners. A passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, she has led numerous initiatives that create opportunities for women and girls through education, skill development, and social awareness. Her contributions have earned widespread recognition, including the APJ Abdul Kalam Award and honours from organisations such as the British Council and Rotary International. Through landmark initiatives, community engagement, and a commitment to inclusive growth, Dr. Arthi Ganesh continues to redefine the role of educational institutions in society. Like Mrs. Mohini Bakshi, she views education not merely as a profession but as a mission, inspiring possibility, nurturing hope, and creating meaningful change that extends far beyond the classroom.
Words of Honour
"Dr. Arthi Ganesh embodies the spirit of possibility that Mohini Bakshi stood for - the conviction that education is not about filling minds but about lighting them. The Mohini Bakshi Spirit of Possibility Prize honours a leader who makes students believe, before they have earned the right to believe, that they can."- ScooNews Memorial Awards Jury, 2025
Award Ceremony - 2025
Moments from the inaugural ScooNews Memorial Awards at Global Ed-Fest 2025, Jaipur.
Know a Worthy Nominee?
Nominate an educator whose greatest gift is the ability to make students believe in themselves - someone who inspires hope and possibility in everyone they teach.