SHOMIE DAS

Two edupreneurs setting out to establish a school with a difference come across a retired headmaster who has helmed some of India’s best schools. A chance encounter, and a relationship destined to deepen, lead to Oakridge International, a school whose primary objective is to impart a solid foundation while freeing the mind to explore beyond the constraints of curriculum. The story of former Doon School headmaster Shomie Das and childhood friends turned business partners Naga Tummala and Raj Yarlagadda is a fascinating account of vision and enterprise, and the struggle that went into setting up the institution of their dream. The Man Who Saw Tomorrow details Shomie Das’s ideas about how education should be an experience that children enjoy and not one that has been thrust upon them. What that entails is a deep acknowledgement and respect for the child as a unique individual. But this is not only Shomie’s story. As fascinating a person that he is, Oakridge could never have been established without the tenacity of Naga Tummala and Raj Yarlagadda, and the bold gambles they often took when lack of money threatened to derail all their efforts. Refusing to give up, driven by passion, lurching from one loan to another, yet never losing sight of the summit – the goal of building a world-class school that would set the benchmark for others – this is their incredible story too. While Shomie, Naga Tummala and Raj Yarlagadda have since exited Oakridge, their legacy survives. Given the ongoing discourse around India’s education system and the changes being made, The Man Who Saw Tomorrow is a timely, relevant and important book for educators and entrepreneurs alike.