Manoj Bhargava, born in Lucknow and now a citizen of the United States of America is the founder and CEO of Innovations Ventures LLC (dba Living Essentials LLC), the company was known for creating the 5 hour energy drink that took the market by storm.
When you have an abundant supply of money what would you do? Would you go on an expensive world holiday? Buy the fanciest things that money can buy? Or just donate 99% of it to the needy? Manoj Bhargava an entrepreneur and philanthropist did just that. Can’t believe it? Read on……
Manoj Bhargava, born in Lucknow and now a citizen of the United States of America is the founder and CEO of Innovations Ventures LLC (dba Living Essentials LLC), the company was known for creating the 5 hour energy drink that took the market by storm. He made his fortune from this and was included in the billionaires list. In 2015 he pledged to give 99% of his wealth to the needy. He founded the Billions in Change Movement promoting changes to humanity through ground breaking ideas and inventions.
Their Mission
Billions in Change Movement’s mission is “The time for raising awareness is over. It is time to implement solutions to the most important global problems- water, energy and health.
What makes him different?
When we do charity in any size or form it helps the less fortunate to sustain themselves for a short period of time. What Manoj Bhargava decided to do for them was not give away his wealth but to use it to provide and sustain the very basics of human life. He says that every person needs electricity, clean drinking water and health care and this automatically takes the people out of poverty. This elevated human resource can now focus on making a living and fending for themselves.
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At his Stage 2 Innovations office he hopes to bring a hybrid bicycle with an output that would bring electricity in houses for a day. He says that even if there was a hurricane like Katrina where people where in the dark, alone and had no ways of communication as they didn’t have power on their phones, this contraption would work beautifully since it requires no diesel. For Mr. Bhargava it’s all about simplicity. Another invention would be about a desalination machine which can turn thousands of gallons of sea water into pure drinking water. He wants to install these machines on barges around the coast that can pump clean water to the city through pipes and can solve the shortage of water that humans are facing today.
Health care is another area that will help humanity in a big way. People always want to cure the illness by killing it and making ourselves well. But he puts a new perspective for health as to how about maintaining our wellness and getting the body strong enough to not allow these diseases affect the body. An external counter pulsation device that improves circulation to the body is something that he wants put out to the masses. He has been on this machine for 3 years and vouches that within the 3rd use he felt a vast difference.
When Manoj Bhargava founded Stage 2 Innovations in 2011, along with former Chrysler CEO Thomas La Sorda, he fired most of his engineers.
He says, “I would look at this bunch of people typing. And I kept thinking: what are they typing? They are supposed to be making stuff”
He started looking for people who liked to get their hands dirty- or tinkerers, as he calls them, “crazy people with no degrees who like to make stuff”. For him experts are people who know what has already been done. He looks for people who have new ideas and thought processes. He’s extremely passionate about what he does and believes that it’s not work that he’s doing but a hobby that he passionately engages in. He’s always looking for people, who in his words, have a ‘Slam Dunk’ that will bring a huge change to the people. He doesn’t believe in good but in great ideas.
Mr. Bhargava has developed a tool kit which he wants to roll out to schools as part of their academic curriculum. It features in-depth lesson plans and activities for middle and high school classrooms. The tool kit focuses on the issues, inventions, people and problem- solving philosophy behind Billions in Change. It provides academic rigor and real- world applications.
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The tool kit helps students develop new ideas and ways of thinking, not only in the understanding of problems but also in terms of the students potential, roles and citizens of the world. He says that the student group represent one quarter of the world’s population and they will be faced with a whole new set of social and environmental problems and that we from the current generation must prepare the people of tomorrow to face these issues.
The Goal of the toolkit
To inspire students with stories of real life solutions and encourage them to believe that they can play a huge part in bringing change for the betterment of humanity.
Cultivating students’ cognitive, social and emotional development through new perspectives on global citizenship, empathy and problem solving.
Understanding and combating the root causes of the problems that the world faces, specifically limited access to electricity, clean water and preventive health care.
And to equip students with knowledge and skillsets required in communication, designing and actively being a part of the problem solving process.
The toolkit is divided into various units
Unit 1: Introduction to Billions in Change and Manoj Bhargava.
Unit 2: Problem Solving.
Unit 3: Discovering Citizenship.
Unit 4: Electricity.
Unit 5: Water.
Unit 6: Preventive Healthcare.
Unit 7: Agriculture.
All of the above units provide in-depth study exploring and actively engaging student minds to come up with solutions for underlying problems. Understanding the concept, question and answers, activity based assignments and comparing each students ideas and thought process is done with the completion of each unit.
Tackling the root causes of these fundamental problems is the key to solving these issues. Mr. Bhargava feels when you are given power and wealth there is a huge responsibility to yourself as well as to the others. Using that wealth to create basic sustenance for people below the poverty line will impact how the world progresses.
Shubhanshu Shukla interacts with students live from the International Space Station as part of ISRO’s Vidyarthi Samvad initiative.
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, currently stationed aboard the International Space Station (ISS), answered questions from schoolchildren during a live interaction hosted under ISRO’s Vidyarthi Samvad Program.
The session, designed to bring students closer to the realities of space science, turned into a heartwarming and humorous conversation about food, sleep, and the sheer wonder of viewing Earth from space.
When asked how astronauts sleep in zero gravity, Shukla smiled and explained: “There is no floor or ceiling in space. Some of us sleep on the wall, some on the ceiling. We have to tie ourselves down so we don’t float away while sleeping.”
The conversation became sweeter when Shukla revealed that he brought familiar Indian flavours with him into orbit. “I have carried gajar ka halwa, moong dal halwa, and mango juice with me from India,” he said, to the delight of the young audience. He clarified that the halwa was specially medicated for space missions, not made at home — a detail that sparked laughter and curiosity alike.
The astronaut also spoke about daily life aboard the ISS, including how exercise is essential to counter microgravity. “We ride bicycles here, but there are no seats. We strap ourselves in with belts,” he told the children, who were both fascinated and amused by the image.
For Shukla, however, the highlight of being in space remains the view of Earth. “That blue sphere, that light mist… seeing Earth from here is the most beautiful experience. It’s hard to describe in words.”
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Addressing mental well-being, he shared how astronauts stay connected with their families. “Technology helps bridge the distance. We can talk to our loved ones, and that keeps us grounded — even when we’re not.”
Also present during the interaction was Group Captain Angad Pratap, a fellow member of the Gaganyaan mission crew, who encouraged students to consider careers in aviation and space science.
For many students, the session was a dream come true. “It felt like science fiction,” said one participant. “Now I believe I can go to space one day.”
As India continues its rapid progress in space exploration, conversations like these serve as reminders that inspiration is as critical as infrastructure — and that sometimes, a simple chat with an astronaut can launch the imagination of an entire generation.
Political strategist Prashant Kishor speaking at an event (Source: EducationPost)
In a recent public interaction, political campaigner and policy strategist Prashant Kishor detailed a long-term education plan aimed at overhauling Bihar’s school system. Emphasizing structural change over symbolic efforts, Kishor’s proposal focuses on centralized excellence, increased parental choice, and a phased financial roadmap over a 10-year period.
At the heart of the model lies a shift from quantity to quality. Rather than building one school in every village, the plan envisions five world-class government schools per administrative block, inspired by the legacy of the prestigious Netarhat Vidyalaya. These institutions would be open to students from all socioeconomic backgrounds, with Kishor stating that school buses and transport access would ensure that no child travels more than 20 minutes to reach school.
For families dissatisfied with local government schools, the model introduces an alternative: state-funded access to private education. If a student opts for a regulated private school nearby, the government would bear the cost. According to Kishor, this mirrors global best practices and provides an immediate quality option while public school infrastructure is being upgraded.
Contrary to the common belief that government education is cost-free, Kishor highlighted that Bihar currently spends an average of ₹850 per month per child in public primary schools. In comparison, many private institutions operate at a lower cost. “It’s not about public versus private. It’s about outcomes and value,” he stated.
The financing strategy involves a three-part allocation of the current education budget:
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Building new elite schools (500 per year; 5,000 in 10 years)
Improving existing government schools
Funding private education for low-income students where needed
The total projected investment over a decade is ₹1 lakh crore.
The proposal has triggered a wider conversation around efficiency, equity, and the future direction of school education in under-resourced states. While it has been shared in a pre-election context, the structural detail and comparative lens make it notable for educationists and policymakers nationwide.
As the national education landscape continues to evolve post-NEP 2020, Bihar’s unfolding discourse offers a compelling case study on scalable, outcome-driven reform.
Online course aims to train underserved youth in digital marketing across three Indian states.
In a bid to support youth skilling in India, NIIT Foundation and YuWaah (a UNICEF India initiative) have jointly launched an Open Online Course in Digital Marketing as part of their #NayiDigitalDisha campaign.
The initiative has been rolled out in Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Odisha and aims to reach 500 participants. The 8-week online program has been structured to be accessible to learners from underserved and remote areas. Upon completion, students will receive a credential assessed by NCVET and certified by NSDC.
The curriculum focuses on practical digital marketing skills including social media strategy, online customer sourcing, and campaign execution. Course development was led by NIIT Foundation, drawing on industry consultation and its prior experience in skill training.
According to the organisers, the goal is to provide industry-aligned learning opportunities to help learners secure employment and enhance their readiness for digital roles. Participants will receive certifications from both NIIT Foundation and YuWaah, UNICEF.
The program’s implementation coincides with India’s broader push towards a skilled workforce, aligning with national goals to build digital and job-readiness capacity by 2047. The digital learning initiative is part of a larger ecosystem supported by YuWaah that includes career guidance, leadership opportunities, and pathways to socio-economic participation for young people.
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Earlier success stories, such as a student securing job placements after course completion, indicate emerging results; however, the course’s full impact is yet to be assessed as it progresses through its first implementation cycle.
DoSE&L convenes education leaders in Delhi to advance board equivalence and learning reforms under NEP 2020.
In a move set to impact India’s school education ecosystem, the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSE&L), Ministry of Education, convened a high-level National Conference on Curricular and Assessment Equivalence of Boards and Improving Learning Outcomes at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi.
With over 250 senior officials from education departments, boards, SCERTs, and autonomous bodies like CBSE, KVS, and NVS, the conference reflected a coordinated push to align learning outcomes and assessment standards across India’s diverse schooling systems.
Chaired by DoSE&L Secretary Sanjay Kumar, the sessions explored how India can move toward competency-based education while ensuring fairness and flexibility for States/UTs. He emphasised that equivalence in curriculum and assessments is essential as India modernises its academic benchmarks in line with NEP 2020.
A key highlight was the launch of the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan Dissemination Portal, giving open access to national and state-wise data on student performance. The tool is designed to help States/UTs craft targeted improvement plans. Prof. Indrani Bhaduri, CEO of PARAKH, also unveiled the findings from the 2024 National Survey, highlighting district-wise variations and prompting calls for data-driven, localised reform.
Best practices from six States/UTs — including Kerala, Punjab, UP, and Maharashtra — offered a practical lens on how systemic innovations can drive classroom-level change.
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The conference also delved into board equivalence frameworks, with seven State Boards — including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Goa, and J&K — presenting models for alignment of curricula, assessments, and evaluation standards.
CBSE Chairperson Rahul Singh spoke on school quality assurance, urging emphasis on self-evaluation and data transparency. The conference spotlighted the School Quality Assessment and Assurance Framework (SQAAF) and called for the establishment of State School Standards Authorities (SSSA) in every State/UT.
Further, the session on vocational education equivalence underscored the importance of recognising school boards as vocational awarding bodies — a step towards seamless academic–skill integration and lifelong learning.
Ready Reckoner videos, Holistic Progress Cards (HPCs), and tools for continuous, child-centric evaluation were also introduced, aimed at embedding NEP’s vision in day-to-day school practice.
The event concluded with a collective reaffirmation: building an equitable, high-quality education system will require collaborative governance and commitment to learning for all.
Thousands of Maharashtra villages still lack schools or CCTV, despite legal orders.
More than 8,600 villages in Maharashtra remain without a single school, according to a recent report by the state’s Women and Child Development Department.
The gap isn’t just in classrooms. Nearly half of all government schools in the state have failed to install CCTV cameras, despite a Bombay High Court directive issued over a year ago mandating the move for student safety.
The numbers come from an internal state government communication that has now surfaced publicly, raising concerns about Maharashtra’s compliance with both the Right to Education (RTE) Act and judicial orders.
While urban education garners attention with smart classrooms and NEP pilot projects, rural Maharashtra still contends with the fundamentals: no schools, no surveillance, and often, no real learning environment.
The CCTV issue, though seemingly minor, ties directly to concerns about student safety and teacher accountability, especially in government-run schools where complaints often go unaddressed. The High Court directive had explicitly asked for CCTV cameras to be installed in all government school premises. Yet, as per the report, only 53% of schools have complied so far.
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Educationists and civil society groups have pointed out that the absence of schools in over 8,000 villages violates the RTE Act’s basic requirement of ensuring a primary school within a 1-km radius of every habitation. These gaps disproportionately affect students from marginalized communities who lack access to private schooling options or reliable transportation.
While the state has announced new digital initiatives and curriculum reforms, this data signals the urgent need for parallel investment in basic school infrastructure and safety mechanisms, especially in rural and tribal regions.
If Maharashtra is serious about achieving educational equity, the solution isn’t just in policy blueprints or digital dashboards — it’s in ensuring that every child has a safe, functional school to go to.
Haryana to support govt school toppers with free coaching for JEE and NDA
In a push to democratize access to competitive exams, the Haryana government has announced a free after-school coaching initiative for meritorious students in government schools. The scheme will initially roll out in 26 educationally backward blocks, targeting students aspiring to crack entrance exams like JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) and NDA (National Defence Academy).
The move is designed to level the playing field between private and government school students, many of whom lack access to the coaching ecosystem often necessary for success in high-stakes exams.
According to the Education Department, only those students who score above 60% in Class 10 and rank among the top 500 in state-level merit lists will be eligible for the coaching. The classes will be held in selected schools after regular hours.
Officials said that around 100 government school teachers have been identified to undergo training from expert faculty members from IITs and coaching institutions, ensuring quality instruction that mirrors national standards.
The initiative will be implemented in partnership with the national not-for-profit organization, the Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan, and aims to align with the broader goals of the NEP 2020 by enabling access, equity, and excellence in education.
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By empowering students with structured coaching support—often inaccessible due to financial or geographic barriers—the Haryana government signals its intent to redefine what government schooling can offer in a competitive academic landscape.
CM Revanth Reddy calls for targeted reforms to improve Intermediate education outcomes across Telangana.
In a review meeting held at the Command Control Centre, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy instructed education officials to take urgent steps to ensure students who complete Class 10 successfully transition into and complete their Intermediate education.
This directive stems from a persistent gap: while many students clear the Class 10 SSC board exam, a sizable number fail to complete the next academic stage. The CM has asked for a detailed study of the education policy for Classes 9 to 12 to identify where the system is failing and how it can be made more responsive to students’ needs.
Reddy emphasized that Intermediate education is a crucial link in helping students build careers and that adequate career guidance must begin at the college level. He directed officials to work on specific interventions to improve pass percentages in the intermediate board exams.
The review also touched on infrastructure: from proposing that every school fly a national flag to demanding regular updates on the construction progress of Young India Residential Schools. The CM expressed concern over the slow pace of infrastructure projects and instructed officials to accelerate tender processes, especially for the Veeranari Chakali Ilamma Mahila Vishwa Vidyalayam (Women’s University) expansion.
Funding was another key focus, with Revanth asking departments to coordinate with the Centre to ensure that Telangana receives its full share under centrally sponsored schemes.
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The policy emphasis is clear: a push for a seamless Class 10 to Intermediate pipeline, improved exam outcomes, stronger infrastructure, and better career preparation for young learners.
Shubhanshu Shukla, currently aboard the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 mission, will connect with Indian students via ham radio on July 4.
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, currently on a 14-day scientific expedition aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission, is scheduled to interact with school students and ISRO engineers on July 4.
The communication will take place via ham radio, through a telebridge set up at the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru. The session is facilitated by the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) programme, which enables students to engage with astronauts in orbit.
The interaction is scheduled for 3:47 PM IST and will offer participating students an opportunity to ask questions directly to Shukla, who is joined on the mission by three other astronauts.
Shukla has been conducting various scientific experiments during his stay aboard the ISS. These include deploying and imaging space microalgae samples, which are being studied as a potential food source for long-duration missions. He has also participated in the Neuro Motion VR project — involving brain activity tracking through VR tasks in microgravity — and contributed to the Telemetric Health AI study, which uses biometric data and analytics to study cardiovascular and balance changes during spaceflight.
The Axiom-4 mission, organized by Axiom Space, focuses on scientific research in space with potential applications in both space exploration and Earth-based health systems.
Nikhil Kamath and the World Economic Forum say lifelong learning is vital as skill gaps, automation and reskilling reshape the future of jobs. (AI generated representational image)
Nikhil Kamath has a stark prediction about higher education: “The days of 4-year college courses are over. Lifelong learning is the new norm, for everyone.” The Zerodha co-founder’s words landed just as the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 painted an equally urgent picture — one of seismic disruption, skill churn, and a workforce that can no longer survive on static degrees alone.
Such an interesting question: “What jobs will be relevant in 10 years?”
Personally, I think the days of 4-year college courses are over, lifelong learning is the new norm, for everyone… pic.twitter.com/sk3m7vfjR4
The report’s findings are a wake-up call for students and professionals alike. Upskilling and reskilling have moved from corporate buzzwords to a matter of survival. Even though 75% of employers feel confident about upskilling their current teams, 38% admit they’re worried about the skill readiness of new graduates. By 2030, one in nine workers could miss out on any training at all, stuck in roles destined to disappear.
The WEF’s data is blunt: 39% of today’s core job skills will become obsolete within this decade. And the threat looms larger for countries like India, Egypt and the UAE, where nearly half of the workforce could face skill obsolescence. Already, 63% of global employers say skill gaps are stalling their operations.
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Yet, the same storm of change is also throwing open new doors. An estimated 170 million new jobs will be created globally by 2030, even as 92 million roles fade away under the weight of automation and shifting trends — a net gain of around 78 million jobs. Green transitions and tech advancements are expected to swell the ranks of farmworkers, delivery drivers and software developers. Meanwhile, cashiers, clerks and other repetitive roles may become relics of the past.
The nature of these new jobs demands an entirely different mix of skills. It’s not just about coding or crunching data — the top 10 skills for 2030 range from AI and big data, cybersecurity, and technological literacy to timeless human traits like creative thinking, analytical thinking, resilience, and an open mind for lifelong learning itself. When the WEF says curiosity is now a core skill, you know the classroom is no longer a place — it’s an attitude.
Automation continues to accelerate this shift. In 2024, machines handled about 22% of work tasks; by 2030, they’ll manage 34% — while human contributions shrink proportionally. Some companies are responding by retraining their teams (77%), hiring AI-savvy talent (69%), and cutting roles that can’t evolve (41%). It’s a delicate dance of staying ahead, or falling behind.
In India’s context, the stakes are doubly high. On one hand, the country shines in inclusive hiring — 95% of Indian employers report robust DEI policies compared to the global average of 83%. They’re opening doors to women, people with disabilities, Gen Z youth, and even older workers. But India’s looming skill obsolescence means our famed engineering and MBA degrees may become only the starting point, not the destination.
So what does all this mean for those reading this now — whether you’re a student, teacher, or mid-career professional wondering what comes next? It means the idea of a single degree equalling lifelong job security is truly dead. In its place comes the unending task of staying relevant: adding a new skill here, learning a new tool there, never letting curiosity dry up. It means seeing every workplace as a classroom, every mistake as a lesson, and every new technology as a chance to expand your toolkit.
There’s no doubt this can feel intimidating — but it’s also strangely freeing. Careers are no longer single-lane highways; they’re winding, branching trails with countless on-ramps. You can pivot at 30, 40 or 60. You can reinvent yourself as often as you’re willing to learn. If Kamath’s words are a battle cry for the modern learner, the WEF’s report is the field map: adapt or risk being left behind.
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The next decade belongs to the endlessly curious — the learners, the reskillers, the ones who refuse to stay still. So here’s a thought to hold onto: when the world changes this fast, there is one certainty that stays — your willingness to change with it.
Key Stats at a Glance
39% of today’s core job skills will be obsolete by 2030
63% of global employers already feel the pain of skill gaps
170 million jobs expected to be created by 2030
92 million jobs likely to be displaced
77% of employers plan to reskill current staff
69% plan to hire AI-skilled talent
41% may downsize roles that don’t adapt
India: 95% of employers report DEI policies — the highest globally
India, Egypt & UAE forecast the highest rates of skill obsolescence (38–48%)
Automation’s share of tasks will rise from 22% to 34% by 2030
In a firm push for accountability, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued show-cause notices to 89 higher education institutions for failing to comply with mandatory anti-ragging regulations. The defaulters include some of India’s most prestigious institutions—17 of which are Institutes of National Importance—including IIT Bombay, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Hyderabad, and IIM Bangalore.
These institutions, despite repeated advisories, failed to submit the required anti-ragging undertakings from students and institutional compliance reports. The lapses have been termed a “significant violation of regulatory norms” by the UGC, raising serious concerns over student safety and campus climate in India’s top educational spaces.
A notice dated June 9, signed by UGC Secretary Prof. Manish R Joshi, has directed all 89 institutions to respond within 30 days by submitting comprehensive compliance reports, securing online anti-ragging affidavits from all students, and detailing both current and planned anti-ragging mechanisms.
If the institutions fail to act within the deadline, consequences may include withdrawal of UGC grants, public disclosure of non-compliance status, and potential derecognition or withdrawal of affiliation.
Among the list of defaulters are the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, AIIMS Raebareli, Aligarh Muslim University, RGIPT Basar, and several National Institutes of Design.
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The issue becomes even more urgent in light of recent ragging-related incidents and an increasing perception of campus hostility. “Institutions must treat this as a matter of utmost urgency. Your prompt compliance will be essential in upholding institutional responsibility towards student welfare,” reads the UGC’s statement.
Ragging has no place in modern education, especially not in a country positioning itself as a global knowledge leader.
In 2025, with India’s education sector expanding in reach, recognition, and responsibility, compliance with anti-ragging norms shouldn’t require reminders. It should be a given.
As the world watches Indian institutions climb global rankings, student safety and well-being must remain central, not as compliance checkboxes, but as part of the educational culture we aspire to build.