Dr. Grace Pinto Wins Prestigious Mahatma Award 2025 for Lifetime Achievement
Ryan Group MD Dr Grace Pinto was awarded the Mahatma Award 2025 for lifetime educational leadership.
Dr Grace Pinto, Managing Director of the Ryan Group of Institutions, has been awarded the Mahatma Award 2025 for Lifetime Achievement and Business Leadership, recognising her transformative contributions to education and social welfare. The ceremony, held on October 1 at the India International Centre in New Delhi, was organised by the Mahatma Foundation in collaboration with the Aditya Birla Group. Dr Pinto received the honour from Dr Kiran Bedi, India's first female Indian Police Service officer and former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, who served as chief guest.
The event also featured Guest of Honour Mr A. Annamalai, Director of the National Gandhi Museum, and Mr Santosh Kumar Jha, Chairman and Managing Director of Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd.
Instituted by Gandhian lawyer Amit Sachdeva and supported by philanthropist Rajashree Birla, Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development, the Mahatma Award salutes leaders embodying Mahatma Gandhi's principles of service, sustainability, and social equity. It spotlights changemakers fostering compassionate, just, and eco-conscious societies.
Attendees included luminaries such as classical dancer and activist Dr Mallika Sarabhai; Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of GAIL (India) Ltd; Vishad P. Mafatlal, Executive Chairman of Navin Fluorine International and the Mafatlal Group; Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, Chairperson and Managing Director of NLC India; and Manish Patil, Director at ONGC. The gathering underscored the award's prestige in convening influencers from diverse sectors.
Dr Pinto's accolade highlights her pioneering role in elevating India's education sector through the Ryan Group, one of the nation's largest K-12 networks, with over 150 schools in India and abroad. Since assuming leadership, she has championed a holistic model integrating rigorous academics, ethical development, and community engagement, impacting millions of students. Her initiatives in environmental conservation—such as green campuses and sustainability curricula—and outreach programmes for underprivileged youth align seamlessly with Gandhian ideals. Under her stewardship, the group has expanded access to quality education, fostering global citizens equipped with empathy and innovation amid India's evolving demographic challenges.
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In her acceptance remarks, Dr Pinto expressed profound humility: "I am deeply humbled to receive the Mahatma Award, and I am grateful to Lord Jesus Christ for this recognition. This honour belongs to the entire Ryan family—our students, educators, and parents—who continue to uphold the values of service, compassion, and excellence inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. Our mission remains to educate, empower, and contribute meaningfully to the progress of our nation." This milestone reinforces Dr Pinto's stature as a beacon of values-based leadership, inspiring educators nationwide to prioritise societal good alongside scholastic success.
The Ryan Group of Institutions remains dedicated to holistic learning, blending innovation with character formation to cultivate responsible global citizens. As India advances toward its 2047 centennial vision, such recognitions affirm the pivotal role of education in sustainable nation-building.
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