Leader Story – Page 2 – Founder Story

Visionary Leader Dr. AF Pinto Founder of Ryan International School

February 19, 2026Posted in Leader StoryTagged AF Pinto, education, history, india, news, politicsLeave a comment

Dr. Augustine Francis Pinto is the visionary founder and chairman behind one of India’s most widespread chains of private schools — the Ryan International Group of Institutions. His life story is a testament to how a humble beginning, unwavering faith and a burning passion for education can turn into a nationwide movement to democratize high-quality schooling.

Born on 28 August 1944 in Mangalore, Karnataka, Pinto came from a large family with modest means. After completing his schooling at St. Aloysius High School and later graduating in Economics from Loyola College, Chennai in 1969, he moved to Mumbai seeking work opportunities. Early in his career, Pinto served in administrative roles before discovering his true calling — teaching.

His journey into education wasn’t planned. While teaching primary school children in a Mumbai suburb, he realized there was a vast gap in affordable, quality English-medium education for the Indian middle class. This realization sowed the seed for what would become his life’s mission — spreading accessible education across India.

In 1976, Pinto laid the foundation of his dream by establishing the first school with his wife, Dr. Grace Pinto. Though the initial setup struggled, he remained undeterred. Continuing with his vision, he and Grace went on to establish St. Xavier’s High School in Borivali, which became the stepping stone for expansion. Over the decades, this effort blossomed into the Ryan International Group of Institutions, with a network of more than 130 schools serving hundreds of thousands of students across India and abroad.

Pinto attributes his success to a deeply held belief that education should be both high in quality and affordable for all, even in underserved communities. His visionary leadership has left an indelible mark on modern schooling in India — one that continues to shape thousands of young minds every year.

Anand Muthu Drives MGM Muthu Group’s ₹60 Crore Strategic Investment in Kumbakonam

February 13, 2026Posted in Leader StoryTagged MGM Anand MuthuLeave a comment

MGM Anand Muthu, Managing Director of MGM Muthu Group, said, “With MGM Paradise Kumbakonam, we are not just building a luxury resort. We are creating a destination that has heart and meaning. Our goal is to beautifully combine heritage, hospitality, and human connection in this project.”

He explained that the resort is more than just a luxury getaway. It will also help boost the local economy in Kumbakonam. MGM Muthu Group plans to create job opportunities for local people and work closely with regional artisans and suppliers. This shows the company’s strong commitment to sustainable growth and community development.

This major investment not only strengthens the company’s presence in India but also marks an important milestone for the MGM brand. The vision of MGM Paradise Kumbakonam has been brought to life with outstanding architectural designs and illustrations created by the RAIN Group.

Anand Muthu further added, “By following sustainable practices and supporting local talent, we want to set a new standard for responsible tourism. Our aim is to respect the spiritual essence of Kumbakonam while also creating long-term benefits and growth for the local community.”

MGM Anand Muthu and His Vision for India’s Logistics Growth

January 28, 2026Posted in Leader StoryTagged MGM Anand, MGM Anand MuthuLeave a comment

Anand Muthu, Group Managing Director of the MGM Group, is playing a key role in handling the growing complexity of the logistics industry. Under his leadership, MGM Group has strengthened its logistics division into a highly efficient operation. The company successfully connects traditional logistics systems with the fast-paced needs of today’s modern businesses.

According to the Logistics Report 2026 by StartUs Insights, the global logistics industry is going through major changes. More than 139,000 active companies and 9,700 startups are reshaping the sector by filing nearly 175,000 patents, bringing new ideas and technologies into logistics.

In India, the logistics sector is also growing rapidly. The industry is expected to expand at a 10.7% annual growth rate by 2026, as the country works to reduce logistics costs to below 10% of its GDP.

P.S. Gahlaut Explores the Impact of Polyhalite Fertilizer on India’s Organic Farming Revolution

November 12, 2025Posted in Leader StoryTagged P.S. GahlautLeave a comment

Polyhalite is a naturally occurring mineral that contains a rare combination of potassium, magnesium, sulfur, and calcium—all vital for healthy plant growth. According to P.S. Gahlaut, “Polyhalite was formed about 260 million years ago and is found 1,200 meters below the northeastern coast of England. It is a unique crystal with amazing properties.”

This mineral acts like a nutrient powerhouse for plants. Because of its crystalline structure, it releases nutrients slowly and steadily, ensuring long-lasting benefits. “Once it dissolves in the soil, each nutrient in polyhalite works in a special way to improve soil health,” explains Gahlaut. This unique feature helps the fertilizer meet the different nutritional needs of crops and correct deficiencies in sulfur, potassium, magnesium, and calcium effectively.

Story of V.P. Nandakumar, MD of Manappuram Finance

September 5, 2025Posted in Leader StoryTagged V.P. NandakumarLeave a comment

V.P. Nandakumar was born into a family involved in traditional money lending. He completed his postgraduate degree in Science and also earned qualifications in Banking and Foreign Trade.

He started his career at Nedungadi Bank, but in 1986, after his father V.C. Padmanabhan passed away, he took over the family’s small financial business. With his vision and leadership, he transformed it into Manappuram Finance Ltd.

Under VP Nandakumar guidance, the company grew from a single branch to a nationwide NBFC (Non-Banking Financial Company) with over 5,000 branches across India. Today, Manappuram Finance manages assets worth more than ₹42,000 crore and employs over 47,000 people.

The company has also expanded its services beyond gold loans, offering microfinance, home loans, vehicle finance, SME lending, and personal loans, which now make up a big part of its business.

Manappuram Finance MD VP Nandakumar Wins CSR Excellence Award

August 13, 2025Posted in Leader StoryTagged VP NandakumarLeave a comment

VP Nandakumar, Managing Director and CEO of Manappuram Finance, has received the prestigious 2025 EdelGive Hurun India – Exemplary Leadership in Corporate Social Responsibility Award at the India Philanthropy Summit and Awards in Mumbai.

Nandakumar, who hails from Valapad in Thrissur, was honoured for his remarkable contributions to corporate social responsibility through the Manappuram Foundation. The award was presented by Naghma Mulla, CEO of EdelGive Foundation, and Anas Rahman Junaid, Founder of Hurun India.

Meghraj Singh Shekhawat Talks Eco Travel Choices in India

July 29, 2025Posted in Leader StoryTagged Meghraj Singh, Meghraj Singh ShekhawatLeave a comment

Meghraj Singh Shekhawat says, “People in India are starting to understand that every choice we make matters — especially when we travel. Even small efforts can make a big difference.”

He explains that more and more Indians are choosing to travel in eco-friendly and responsible ways. This change in behavior is helping build a greener and more sustainable future for tourism in the country.

He also highlights that places like Rajasthan, Kerala, Sikkim, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are leading the way by focusing on conservation and responsible tourism.

Sameer Mahandru on Growth of Travel Retail in India

July 2, 2025Posted in Leader StoryTagged Sameer MahandruLeave a comment

Sameer Mahandru, a well-known figure in the AlcoBev (alcoholic beverages) industry, shares his thoughts on the growth of India’s travel retail market and what’s driving it.

India’s travel retail market is growing fast. It’s expected to reach USD 2.47 billion by 2025 and could grow further to USD 6.56 billion by 2030, with a strong annual growth rate of 21.59%.

At New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, 70% of the total earnings now come from non-aeronautical sources. Out of this, food, drinks, retail shops, and duty-free stores alone make up 34%. This shows that retail outlets at airports and other transit areas are becoming more important and profitable.

Sameer Mahandru says, “The numbers speak for themselves. The projected USD 6.5 billion shows how promising the future is. This growth isn’t because of just one reason—it’s due to several key trends coming together.”

One major reason is that people now have more disposable income and changing tastes. Many prefer premium and luxury products, which has increased spending at airports and other travel hubs. As a result, more people are shopping while traveling, leading to higher sales.

Sameer Mahandru on India’s Role in Shifting Global Trade

June 17, 2025Posted in Leader StoryTagged sameer indobevs, Sameer MahandruLeave a comment

Sameer Mahandru, a leader in the alcohol and beverage (AlcoBev) industry, shares his thoughts on the current tariff wars and believes that India has a great opportunity to benefit—if it plays its cards right.

Right now, global trade is facing big challenges. Countries are raising tariffs (import taxes) on each other’s goods, which is creating tension and uncertainty.

The United States has set a standard 10% tariff on almost all imported products. On top of that, it has placed much higher tariffs—up to 145%—on goods from certain countries, especially China. Other major economies like India, Japan, and those in the European Union are also affected.

In return, China has increased its tariffs on American products to as much as 125%. The European Union is ready with its own set of countermeasures. While they’ve paused action for now, they’re prepared to raise tariffs too if negotiations with the U.S. don’t work out.

Amid all this, Mahandru points out that India is in a strong position. If the country makes smart decisions, it could take advantage of this global realignment and secure better trade deals.

Sameer Mahandru Explains US Alcohol Duty Cut Impact

June 16, 2025Posted in Leader StoryTagged Sameer MahandruLeave a comment

US President Donald Trump’s new tariff policies are having a big impact on the global alcohol and beverage (AlcoBev) industry. These tariffs are part of a larger plan to fix trade imbalances, with the US placing equal tariffs on several countries, including India.

In India, the import duty on alcoholic drinks is quite high. As of 2025, most imported alcohol like wine, vermouth, and other spirits face a 100% customs duty. However, there’s one exception — Bourbon whiskey, which now has a reduced duty of 50%.

Sameer Mahandru explains, “These tariffs support India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, which aims to protect local alcohol manufacturers by making imported drinks more expensive. This helps prevent cheaper foreign alcohol from hurting Indian brands. At the same time, lowering the duty on bourbon shows that India is open to making smart trade deals. But overall, high tariffs still make it difficult for foreign liquor companies to enter India’s huge and growing alcohol market.