Anand Kumar, a mathematician and educator from Patna, Bihar, has become a beacon of hope for countless underprivileged students in India. Best known as the founder of the Super 30 program, Kumar’s journey is a testament to resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to social upliftment through education.
Early Life and Struggles
Born in 1973 in Patna to a humble family, Anand Kumar’s early life was marked by financial hardship. His father, Rajendra Prasad, worked as a postal clerk, and the family lived in modest conditions, often struggling to make ends meet10. Despite these challenges, Anand developed a keen interest in mathematics, showing exceptional talent from a young age. He attended a Hindi-medium government school, which shaped his understanding of the struggles faced by students from economically weaker backgrounds.
Anand’s academic brilliance earned him admission to Cambridge University in 1994. However, the untimely death of his father-the family’s sole breadwinner-forced him to abandon this dream due to lack of funds. To support his family, Anand and his mother began making and selling papad (a traditional Indian snack) on the streets of Patna5. This period of adversity would later become the foundation of his empathy for underprivileged students.
The Birth of Ramanujan School of Mathematics
Determined not to let his circumstances dictate his future, Anand Kumar started teaching mathematics. In 1992, he founded the Ramanujan School of Mathematics (RSM) by renting a small classroom for ₹300 a month, starting with just two students. His dedication quickly attracted more students, and RSM gained a reputation for quality education at nominal fees.
However, Anand noticed that many talented students could not afford even the minimal fees. This realization sowed the seeds for a revolutionary idea: providing free, high-quality coaching to the most deserving yet disadvantaged students.
Super 30: A Revolutionary Initiative
In 2002, Anand Kumar launched Super 30 under the banner of RSM. The program’s mission was clear: identify 30 meritorious students from economically backward sections each year and provide them with free coaching, accommodation, and food to prepare for the highly competitive IIT-JEE (Indian Institutes of Technology Joint Entrance Examination).
The selection process for Super 30 is rigorous. Thousands of applications are received annually, followed by a written test and interviews to ensure only the most deserving candidates are chosen7. The students, often children of laborers, rickshaw pullers, and small farmers, are given intensive coaching and holistic support for a year.
Anand funds Super 30 entirely through his own efforts, running evening classes for intermediate students to cover expenses. He has consistently refused financial support from government and private entities, determined to keep the initiative independent and true to its mission.
Impact and Achievements
Super 30’s impact has been nothing short of extraordinary. In its inaugural year, 18 out of 30 students cracked the IIT-JEE. The following years saw the numbers soar: 22 in 2004, 26 in 2005, 28 in 2006, and in 2008, for the first time, all 30 students cleared the exam-a feat repeated multiple times in subsequent years. The success rates have remained consistently high, with hundreds of Super 30 alumni now studying or working as engineers across India and abroad.
The program’s success has garnered national and international acclaim:
- Time Magazine named Super 30 the “best cram school in Asia”3.
- Newsweek listed it among the world’s four most innovative schools6.
- The Discovery Channel and other international media have featured documentaries on Super 30.
- Former US President Barack Obama’s envoy visited Anand Kumar to acknowledge his work.
- Anand Kumar has received numerous awards, including the Rashtriya Bal Kalyan Award and the Global Education Award.
Philosophy and Teaching Approach
Anand Kumar’s teaching is rooted in empathy and discipline. He believes that talent is universal, but opportunity is not. By removing financial barriers and providing a nurturing environment, he enables students to realize their potential69. The Super 30 schedule is demanding, with daily tests and group discussions fostering a culture of hard work and collaboration7.
Kumar’s approach is holistic: he not only imparts academic knowledge but also instills confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose in his students. Many of them, coming from marginalized backgrounds, credit Super 30 with transforming their lives and those of their families.
Challenges and Legacy
Running Super 30 has not been without challenges. Anand Kumar has faced financial constraints, personal threats, and skepticism from various quarters. Yet, his resolve remains unshaken. He continues to personally oversee the program, often cooking meals for students and living simply despite global recognition7.
The ripple effect of Super 30 is visible in the growing number of similar initiatives across India, inspired by Kumar’s model. His story has been adapted into books, documentaries, and even a Bollywood film, further amplifying his message of hope and perseverance.
Conclusion
Anand Kumar’s journey from the streets of Patna to global recognition is a story of grit, vision, and the transformative power of education. Through Super 30, he has not only changed the lives of hundreds of students but also challenged the notion that quality education is the privilege of the wealthy. His life stands as a powerful reminder that with determination and compassion, one individual can indeed make a profound difference in society
