Mrs. Manju Bharat Ram

Mrs. Manju Bharat Ram strongly believed in inclusiveness and ensured that 10 per cent of seats were reserved for children with special needs. In 1991, she also founded SRF Vidyalaya in Chennai to support the education of underprivileged children from nearby villages, reflecting her unwavering commitment to equal learning opportunities.

A passionate advocate for quality education in India, she represented several government and non-government organisations in the field of education. She served on the boards of institutions and organisations such as Kendriya Vidyalaya, Bharti Foundation, Save the Children — India, Pratham, and Lady Irwin College, New Delhi.

Her contribution extended beyond education into the fields of art, culture, crafts, and social welfare. She worked closely with leaders such as Kamladevi Chattopadhyay and Rukmini Devi Arundale, and also collaborated with Mary Clubwalla through the Guild of Service in Chennai to support widows through vocational training and skill development. Since 1968, she also served as the Trustee and Honorary General Secretary of the Blind Relief Association.

Born on 29th December 1945, Mrs. Manju Bharat Ram completed her schooling and college education in Delhi. She later married Arun Bharat Ram, Chairman of SRF Limited. As a board member of the SRF Foundation, she played an important role in initiatives such as the adoption of 40 government schools in the Mewat region of Haryana, helping improve educational opportunities for underserved communities.

Her invaluable contributions were recognised with several prestigious honours, including the Priyadarshini Award, Karamveer Puraskar, President's Award, and the Padma Shri, which was posthumously awarded in 2013.