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Super 30: Changing the World 30 Students at a Time
Anand Kumar, a mathematics prodigy, defied all challenges to set up one of the most successful and innovative teaching initiatives in the world—Super 30.
Born in Chandipur Bela, Patna, Anand secured a place in Cambridge University but couldn’t attend because he had no money and sold papads in the evenings instead. He dealt with his own disappointment by setting up an innovative school in 2002 to prepare underprivileged students for the IIT JEE examination. Super 30 has an astonishing success rate and on an average, twenty-seven to twenty-eight of the thirty students crack the exam every year.
Stirring and heart-wrenching, this is the extraordinary story of a visionary who has elevated these bright sparks and, through education, given them hope to rise above crippling poverty.
Born in Chandipur Bela, Patna, Anand secured a place in Cambridge University but couldn’t attend because he had no money and sold papads in the evenings instead. He dealt with his own disappointment by setting up an innovative school in 2002 to prepare underprivileged students for the IIT JEE examination. Super 30 has an astonishing success rate and on an average, twenty-seven to twenty-eight of the thirty students crack the exam every year.
Stirring and heart-wrenching, this is the extraordinary story of a visionary who has elevated these bright sparks and, through education, given them hope to rise above crippling poverty.
249 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2016
About the author
Anand Kumar
212 books36 followersAnand Kumar (born 1 January 1973) is an Indian educationalist and a mathematician best known for his Super 30 programme.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
June 20, 2017
First things first - The author is not Anand Kumar, the author is Biju Mathews. 5/5 to Anand Kumar the man and 2/5 to the writing style which was amateurish. In the hands of a good movie script-writer this will be another "Dangal".
BTW, if u havent heard of Anand Kumar's Super 30, u have been living under a rock :)
BTW, if u havent heard of Anand Kumar's Super 30, u have been living under a rock :)
December 10, 2017
For someone who doesn't like reading non fiction at all, this is one of the most inspirational books of all time.
This book is about how a man like Anand Kumar - from a poor, humble background rose to be one of the best teachers in India coaching underprivileged kids into IIT.
The story or courage, grit and dedication. I happened to annotate the whole book!
This book is about how a man like Anand Kumar - from a poor, humble background rose to be one of the best teachers in India coaching underprivileged kids into IIT.
The story or courage, grit and dedication. I happened to annotate the whole book!
June 9, 2016
I was curious to understand the 'why' behind Super 30. It was an impulse purchase from Crosswords, but this book changed myself a little beyond repair. Anand Kumar is one the messiahs in education field. Born into a family with no means, had a passion for math, didn't have fees to pay for a Cambridge admit (which he received by just sending a few math papers he wrote), lost his dad at a young age, founded a school of mathematics and charges pittance from it and uses the surplus to train 30 underprivileged kids (100% conversions for JEE and other exams) and was nearly killed by the coaching mafia in Bihar. Zero donations. For once, I agree with Rahul Gandhi. "Poverty is just a state of mind ". Please do yourselves a favour by reading this..
August 12, 2016
Year after year, many of us had been amazed by the stupendous success achieved by 'Super 30' of Anand Kumar wherein students from underprivileged background make it to the coveted IITs. Behind such success, as this book shows, there is sheer grit and determination of Anand Kumar and his ever-supporting family. This is not just the story of Anand Kumar but also of his tens of students who rose against all odds of life.
Anand Kumar was a genius. He got a call from Cambridge with just his research papers, which he couldn't pursue because of his poverty. Recognizing education as a potent weapon, he started imparting it to others. Here he is today: with international recognition, acclaim. But, he still craves to do more for his country. A true inspiration!
Anand Kumar was a genius. He got a call from Cambridge with just his research papers, which he couldn't pursue because of his poverty. Recognizing education as a potent weapon, he started imparting it to others. Here he is today: with international recognition, acclaim. But, he still craves to do more for his country. A true inspiration!
January 17, 2019
This one is full of inspiration, Struggle of the man who is building confidence in poor students to achieve something in the world. I highly recommend this to everyone.
May 14, 2020
Very inspiring autobiography Anand Kumar.
April 5, 2020
"A boy who sit on his buffalo should be able to dream of studying in the IITs"
I believe that India will become the greatest country of all. We will :)
Anand Kumar you are always inspirational sir
P.S: 5 Stars for his story of rise from the ash
I believe that India will become the greatest country of all. We will :)
Anand Kumar you are always inspirational sir
P.S: 5 Stars for his story of rise from the ash
July 20, 2016
Touching story, everyone should be aware of this selfless act....more importantly the story has been presented very well without emotion and jingoism. Awesome effort
December 24, 2017
Well, 90% stuff of the book I already knew before reading this book. It was a quick, thrilling and quite insightful journey about the author Anand Kumar ... My problem with the book was that I was expecting something else from the book that was not quite popular in common masses. I wanted to read about Abhay Anand because it since 2004 I was aware of their collaboration but nothing was mentioned in the book.
It was all white parts of life and blue sections of struggle with a slice of victory ... In the end it produces the biography of another hero ... I am not saying that Anand Kumar did not deserve the praise ... He must get all the attention it is just I wanted to hear some slanted things about him as well on which the book was completely flat.
It was all white parts of life and blue sections of struggle with a slice of victory ... In the end it produces the biography of another hero ... I am not saying that Anand Kumar did not deserve the praise ... He must get all the attention it is just I wanted to hear some slanted things about him as well on which the book was completely flat.
February 12, 2019
Inspiring story but a really boring narrative. Unorganized, non-sequential, writing whatever comes to mind.
August 3, 2021
I knew him only as a teacher par excellence,but he is also an amazing human being,he has given hope to millions,perhaps, it's the best thing a person can do🙌
May 24, 2025
Dear Reader,
5th September is *TEACHER'S DAY* and
I have completed reading the book *SUPER 30* (Changing the world 30 students at a time) by Anand Kumar.
*Lessons Learnt:*
1. *All I want to say is that education remains the most powerful weapon to tackle most of the world’s problems*
2. today, as most of the problems have their genesis in poverty and ignorance.
Super 30 is a step towards eradicating this and I begin with hope; hope that no matter how violent the storm, the ship can emerge unscathed with the grit and guidance of a deft hand.
3. *Santosh understood the power of education. So did his parents. He studied till Class X but didn’t know how to continue after that. He was good at mathematics so everybody around him told him to study for IIT, so he decided to go to Patna. He realized that coaching in Patna was very expensive and there was no way he could afford it. It was here that he found out about Super 30, gave the entrance test and got chosen for the programme. He got through IIT Kharagpur. Santosh’s journey from a roadside vendor to a research scholar in Europe got a lot of media attention in Japan, Germany and the US apart from India. There was even a documentary made about how from studying by a lantern, with no electricity, and at times no food, he had scaled such heights. Today he is in Europe at a well-known university.*
4. I have come all this distance to appeal to all you great technology experts that technology should not just remain a tool to make big money. It should be made a vital weapon in the fight against illiteracy so that even the poorest have access to quality education. Today, I feel technology has emerged as a big tool to make huge profits and reduce dependence on manual work. But now the time has come to think about how it could be used to fight poverty, which affects people the world over.
The time has come to move out of the labs to get a first-hand feel of poverty in nations and villages, where people don’t even get basic electricity and clean water. That will add a human dimension to technology that the world needs to make it a better place. War machines can win us wars, but they cannot bring us peace and enlightenment.
‘Today, the world wants technology to save humanity and give it dignity.
And it requires cooperation from all sections. A beautiful world is what we all need—a world free from poverty and illiteracy, a world with true understanding and compassion.’
5. *Now let me tell you about Anup. Anup lived in Chenw, a remote village of Bihar which was riddled with Naxalite trouble. Anup’s family struggled to feed themselves. One night, eight-year-old Anup was crying due to hunger. His mother beseeched his father to go out and ask someone for some rice so they could boil it and eat it with salt. But the water boiled and boiled till there was nothing left in the pan. Anup’s father never returned.*
*Some say he got captured by the Naxals; the villagers looked for him for many days but there was no trace of him. Anup grew up—first sad and then angry at the abject poverty he was surrounded by. He grew disenchanted by the vast divide between the poor and rich in the country. He was lured by the methods of the Naxals and looked for ways to exact revenge, but his mother knew there was only one weapon powerful enough—education.* *She toiled hard and sent Anup to school. He scored very well in his Class X exams and came to Patna to get advice on higher education. They landed up at the Janata Darbaar in Patna at Nitish Kumar’s house. Their story was received with sympathy but it was clear that they could not offer any direct support. However, seeing the young boy’s helplessness, someone at the chief minister’s house suggested that they go meet Anand Kumar, as they were told he coached some students without taking a penny from them.*
*'When I first set eyes on Anup and his mother, they were barefoot and glistening in sweat but there was a light in their eyes. Anup studied hard for two years, and is in his third year at IIT Bombay today*
6. *I want to prove that even in Bihar, the most backward state of India, if you have the desire and determination, you can do anything you wish. Lack of resources and infrastructure need not hold anyone back.*
7. Another beacon of light is Nidhi Jha. The daughter of an autorickshaw driver, Nidhi was from Varanasi. Sunil Jha had four daughters, one son and one lone dream—that his children should not have to deal with the bottomless poverty that had him driving an auto all his life. But he had no money to afford private education.
Nidhi was admitted into Sanatan Dharam Inter College. Right from the start, she was a dedicated student spending hours poring over her second-hand, frayed textbooks. When she passed her Class X exams, it was as if she had achieved the unthinkable. This gave her confidence to pursue a dream that she had borrowed from many parents who prayed at the nearby temple. She often heard them praying, ‘Please make my son a doctor, God.
Please make him an engineer.’ Without any outside guidance or formal coaching, armed only with old, hand-me-down books, she started preparing for the IIT entrance exam. But she was unsuccessful; she could not clear the exam.
Her dream was shattered. She cried and cursed her luck, and dejected, took admission in a bachelor’s of science programme in a government college. Then, one day, in a newspaper, she read about Super 30. Her eyes, which had lost the fire of hope, shone again. She went to Patna and on clearing the test, became a part of Super 30. As there are much fewer girls in Super 30 than boys, she became a part of Anand’s family. She called Jayanti Devi ‘dadi’ and studied diligently with a single-minded focus. The state of the family—her father driving an autorickshaw, her grandfather selling namkeen, her chacha a driver in someone’s service, kept revolving in her mind. Only this drove her to study further. At times, Jayanti Devi would tell her to take a little break, maybe watch a little TV to relax, but she said, ‘Dadi, I have my whole life to do all these things. I will not get a chance like this again.’ The result came, and Nidhi had made it. She went on to study engineering in the Indian School of Mining (ISM), Dhanbad. Pascal Plisson, a French director, made a film on Nidhi’s life. The film was released in 2015; and Nidhi’s family, along with Anand and Pranav, went to Paris to watch the premiere. It was an absolutely surreal moment for Nidhi’s family who had lived a life of penury in Varanasi and suddenly they were seeing things they could have never dreamed of had it not been for their daughter.
When Anand and Pranav saw posters with Nidhi’s photo on the streets of Paris, the two brothers were overcome by gratitude and a sweeping sense of how far these kids had come.
*Thank You*
5th September is *TEACHER'S DAY* and
I have completed reading the book *SUPER 30* (Changing the world 30 students at a time) by Anand Kumar.
*Lessons Learnt:*
1. *All I want to say is that education remains the most powerful weapon to tackle most of the world’s problems*
2. today, as most of the problems have their genesis in poverty and ignorance.
Super 30 is a step towards eradicating this and I begin with hope; hope that no matter how violent the storm, the ship can emerge unscathed with the grit and guidance of a deft hand.
3. *Santosh understood the power of education. So did his parents. He studied till Class X but didn’t know how to continue after that. He was good at mathematics so everybody around him told him to study for IIT, so he decided to go to Patna. He realized that coaching in Patna was very expensive and there was no way he could afford it. It was here that he found out about Super 30, gave the entrance test and got chosen for the programme. He got through IIT Kharagpur. Santosh’s journey from a roadside vendor to a research scholar in Europe got a lot of media attention in Japan, Germany and the US apart from India. There was even a documentary made about how from studying by a lantern, with no electricity, and at times no food, he had scaled such heights. Today he is in Europe at a well-known university.*
4. I have come all this distance to appeal to all you great technology experts that technology should not just remain a tool to make big money. It should be made a vital weapon in the fight against illiteracy so that even the poorest have access to quality education. Today, I feel technology has emerged as a big tool to make huge profits and reduce dependence on manual work. But now the time has come to think about how it could be used to fight poverty, which affects people the world over.
The time has come to move out of the labs to get a first-hand feel of poverty in nations and villages, where people don’t even get basic electricity and clean water. That will add a human dimension to technology that the world needs to make it a better place. War machines can win us wars, but they cannot bring us peace and enlightenment.
‘Today, the world wants technology to save humanity and give it dignity.
And it requires cooperation from all sections. A beautiful world is what we all need—a world free from poverty and illiteracy, a world with true understanding and compassion.’
5. *Now let me tell you about Anup. Anup lived in Chenw, a remote village of Bihar which was riddled with Naxalite trouble. Anup’s family struggled to feed themselves. One night, eight-year-old Anup was crying due to hunger. His mother beseeched his father to go out and ask someone for some rice so they could boil it and eat it with salt. But the water boiled and boiled till there was nothing left in the pan. Anup’s father never returned.*
*Some say he got captured by the Naxals; the villagers looked for him for many days but there was no trace of him. Anup grew up—first sad and then angry at the abject poverty he was surrounded by. He grew disenchanted by the vast divide between the poor and rich in the country. He was lured by the methods of the Naxals and looked for ways to exact revenge, but his mother knew there was only one weapon powerful enough—education.* *She toiled hard and sent Anup to school. He scored very well in his Class X exams and came to Patna to get advice on higher education. They landed up at the Janata Darbaar in Patna at Nitish Kumar’s house. Their story was received with sympathy but it was clear that they could not offer any direct support. However, seeing the young boy’s helplessness, someone at the chief minister’s house suggested that they go meet Anand Kumar, as they were told he coached some students without taking a penny from them.*
*'When I first set eyes on Anup and his mother, they were barefoot and glistening in sweat but there was a light in their eyes. Anup studied hard for two years, and is in his third year at IIT Bombay today*
6. *I want to prove that even in Bihar, the most backward state of India, if you have the desire and determination, you can do anything you wish. Lack of resources and infrastructure need not hold anyone back.*
7. Another beacon of light is Nidhi Jha. The daughter of an autorickshaw driver, Nidhi was from Varanasi. Sunil Jha had four daughters, one son and one lone dream—that his children should not have to deal with the bottomless poverty that had him driving an auto all his life. But he had no money to afford private education.
Nidhi was admitted into Sanatan Dharam Inter College. Right from the start, she was a dedicated student spending hours poring over her second-hand, frayed textbooks. When she passed her Class X exams, it was as if she had achieved the unthinkable. This gave her confidence to pursue a dream that she had borrowed from many parents who prayed at the nearby temple. She often heard them praying, ‘Please make my son a doctor, God.
Please make him an engineer.’ Without any outside guidance or formal coaching, armed only with old, hand-me-down books, she started preparing for the IIT entrance exam. But she was unsuccessful; she could not clear the exam.
Her dream was shattered. She cried and cursed her luck, and dejected, took admission in a bachelor’s of science programme in a government college. Then, one day, in a newspaper, she read about Super 30. Her eyes, which had lost the fire of hope, shone again. She went to Patna and on clearing the test, became a part of Super 30. As there are much fewer girls in Super 30 than boys, she became a part of Anand’s family. She called Jayanti Devi ‘dadi’ and studied diligently with a single-minded focus. The state of the family—her father driving an autorickshaw, her grandfather selling namkeen, her chacha a driver in someone’s service, kept revolving in her mind. Only this drove her to study further. At times, Jayanti Devi would tell her to take a little break, maybe watch a little TV to relax, but she said, ‘Dadi, I have my whole life to do all these things. I will not get a chance like this again.’ The result came, and Nidhi had made it. She went on to study engineering in the Indian School of Mining (ISM), Dhanbad. Pascal Plisson, a French director, made a film on Nidhi’s life. The film was released in 2015; and Nidhi’s family, along with Anand and Pranav, went to Paris to watch the premiere. It was an absolutely surreal moment for Nidhi’s family who had lived a life of penury in Varanasi and suddenly they were seeing things they could have never dreamed of had it not been for their daughter.
When Anand and Pranav saw posters with Nidhi’s photo on the streets of Paris, the two brothers were overcome by gratitude and a sweeping sense of how far these kids had come.
*Thank You*
September 14, 2016
This is an inspiring true story of a teacher who has helped hundreds of students from underprivileged homes to reach their potential and acquire education at some of the top institutes in the country. Anand Kumar's personal triumphs and tragedies make this story all the more amazing and riveting. Told in a journalistic style (with testimonials inserted in 'boxes' from his students) this book should be made essential reading for every teacher in India.
January 27, 2019
I admire a person who makes a positive difference even in one person's life. Here is Anand Kumar who has impacted the lives of thousands of underprivileged people in India. You can't have but only deepest of admiration for Anand Kumar when you read his life story and his contribution towards thousands of lives that he has touched. His objective has not been to make the much needed education revolution in our country, but staying within the boundaries of the system, providing ample help to the underdogs to come out of the life of misery. And his success mantra - hard work and unwavering commitment, which he not only follows in his own life, but also inspires thousands other to follow in order to attain the coveted success.
Now, coming to this book. Well, I think the cover itself is extremely insincere. From the cover, you would presume this book is an autobiography of Anand Kumar and you would come with the expectations of reading the trials and tribulations of this extraordinary teacher from his own point of view. However, the book is written entirely in third person by Biju Mathews, without even a foreword or acknowledgement by Anand Kumar. I found the writing to be pretty average and dry. Am I wrong to expect a "Stand and Deliver" from this, when I know that the contribution of Anand Kumar is far greater? Hopefully, the movie would do justice to the man.
Now, coming to this book. Well, I think the cover itself is extremely insincere. From the cover, you would presume this book is an autobiography of Anand Kumar and you would come with the expectations of reading the trials and tribulations of this extraordinary teacher from his own point of view. However, the book is written entirely in third person by Biju Mathews, without even a foreword or acknowledgement by Anand Kumar. I found the writing to be pretty average and dry. Am I wrong to expect a "Stand and Deliver" from this, when I know that the contribution of Anand Kumar is far greater? Hopefully, the movie would do justice to the man.
November 4, 2018
It's amazing to know that in this selfish world, there are still humans like Anand Kumar who dedicates his life to support underprivileged and poor students and help them to achieve their dreams.
I consider Anand Kumar as the Super Hero of India and by reading about him has provoked a sense of doing good for others in me.
I salute you sir.
I consider Anand Kumar as the Super Hero of India and by reading about him has provoked a sense of doing good for others in me.
I salute you sir.
June 12, 2016
Awesome book. Perfect account on the history of Anand Kumar and his Super-30 and his motivations and inspirations. This is an anomaly which everybody in this world will look at soon. The sooner it happens, the better it is for this world.
November 17, 2017
"A man without money has only one way to escape his misfortune - education. You educate one boy, you elevate an entire village."
Relax, he educated girls too.
People like us who live comfortable lives can never know what it is to be poor. To not be able to afford 2 square meals a day, not get to go to school or afford basic medical care. Anand Kumar was born in Bihar, one of the poorest states in India that continues in this time and age to struggle in poverty. Anand was born at a time when his family was in debilitating misery and he entered as a beacon of hope - and he did not disappoint. He was an exceptionally curious child with a brilliant bent of mind. The family realised very early on that Anand will go on to achieve fame. He turned out to be a whiz at maths and taught himself to find multiple approaches to solve a problem - something that he teaches his students even today - Maths problems are like problems in life. There are many ways to overcome difficulties, you find your path. He was encouraged to send his maths papers to Cambridge, which published them and sent him an invite to learn at Cambridge. An occasion that caused celebration on a huge scale but was brutally cut short by fate - his father passed away leaving young Anand to manage the household alongwith his mother and younger brother.
As Anand strangled his dreams and set about selling home made papads to continue his college education and help run the household, he realised the far reaching and long-lasting debilitating effects of poverty. He realised that he has to do something to help break the cycle of poverty and set up the Ramanujam School of Mathematics to help poor but hard-working and bright minds to excel in academics. It is inconceivable how a person who cannot afford 2 square meals for himself and his family can selflessly teach kids almost his age and younger for a paltry sum or for free, but he did it. And kept at it even when things got much more tougher. Slowly, in 10 years time, Anand Kumar started Super 30 - a group of 30 of the brightest minds who would be given free boarding and lodging and meals for an entire year while they give themselves up in the preparation of IIT-JEE, one of the toughest entrance exams in the world for entering
the engineering stream. There are no words to describe the integrity and passion that Anand Kumar possessed to come up with such a project and keep at it, stubbornly not accepting financial aid even when Super 30 became famous. It is overwhelming, to say the least. The book features stories of students that came from such difficult backgrounds where even harbouring a glimmer of hope can feel pointless, but for the deep love of learning and the sheer grit to break free from the shackles of poverty. Anand Kumar himself, faced death threats from the coaching class mafia (think 'Aarakshan') and a trusted aide at Super 30 was mercilessly stabbed when he came in the way of an attack on Anand. But nothing could stop Anand, nothing did and nothing will.
The results speak loud and clear - 396 of 450 total candidates have been able to crack the IIT entrance test as on date; 3 times in the past all 30 students have cracked the test. Anand has proved with his initiative that merit cannot be the monopoly of a few. And, he has kept his exclusivity intact by not seeking financial help from the government or big corporate houses. It was his sheer hard work and the drive to pay back to society that has earned him global acclaim.
“My only message is that an honest effort does pay off, no matter how big the challenge is.”
It took me just a few hours to finish this book but it is so powerful, it will stay with me for a long time. Anand Kumar has achieved the impossible.
Relax, he educated girls too.
People like us who live comfortable lives can never know what it is to be poor. To not be able to afford 2 square meals a day, not get to go to school or afford basic medical care. Anand Kumar was born in Bihar, one of the poorest states in India that continues in this time and age to struggle in poverty. Anand was born at a time when his family was in debilitating misery and he entered as a beacon of hope - and he did not disappoint. He was an exceptionally curious child with a brilliant bent of mind. The family realised very early on that Anand will go on to achieve fame. He turned out to be a whiz at maths and taught himself to find multiple approaches to solve a problem - something that he teaches his students even today - Maths problems are like problems in life. There are many ways to overcome difficulties, you find your path. He was encouraged to send his maths papers to Cambridge, which published them and sent him an invite to learn at Cambridge. An occasion that caused celebration on a huge scale but was brutally cut short by fate - his father passed away leaving young Anand to manage the household alongwith his mother and younger brother.
As Anand strangled his dreams and set about selling home made papads to continue his college education and help run the household, he realised the far reaching and long-lasting debilitating effects of poverty. He realised that he has to do something to help break the cycle of poverty and set up the Ramanujam School of Mathematics to help poor but hard-working and bright minds to excel in academics. It is inconceivable how a person who cannot afford 2 square meals for himself and his family can selflessly teach kids almost his age and younger for a paltry sum or for free, but he did it. And kept at it even when things got much more tougher. Slowly, in 10 years time, Anand Kumar started Super 30 - a group of 30 of the brightest minds who would be given free boarding and lodging and meals for an entire year while they give themselves up in the preparation of IIT-JEE, one of the toughest entrance exams in the world for entering
the engineering stream. There are no words to describe the integrity and passion that Anand Kumar possessed to come up with such a project and keep at it, stubbornly not accepting financial aid even when Super 30 became famous. It is overwhelming, to say the least. The book features stories of students that came from such difficult backgrounds where even harbouring a glimmer of hope can feel pointless, but for the deep love of learning and the sheer grit to break free from the shackles of poverty. Anand Kumar himself, faced death threats from the coaching class mafia (think 'Aarakshan') and a trusted aide at Super 30 was mercilessly stabbed when he came in the way of an attack on Anand. But nothing could stop Anand, nothing did and nothing will.
The results speak loud and clear - 396 of 450 total candidates have been able to crack the IIT entrance test as on date; 3 times in the past all 30 students have cracked the test. Anand has proved with his initiative that merit cannot be the monopoly of a few. And, he has kept his exclusivity intact by not seeking financial help from the government or big corporate houses. It was his sheer hard work and the drive to pay back to society that has earned him global acclaim.
“My only message is that an honest effort does pay off, no matter how big the challenge is.”
It took me just a few hours to finish this book but it is so powerful, it will stay with me for a long time. Anand Kumar has achieved the impossible.
Read
July 13, 2019If you have desire and determination, the sky is the limit. The essence of this is captured in this heartwarming biography of Anand Kumar titled 'Super 30.'
Super 30 is a program for underprivileged children to prepare them for the IIT JEE examination, founded by Anand Kumar. Having grown up in impoverished conditions, he manages to secure admission in Cambridge university. Due to lack of funds and his fathers untimely demise, Anand forfeits his seat. To conceal his disappointment and deciding to channelize his failure into something meaningful, Anand sets up super 30.
The journey of super 30 traces from its inception in humble beginnings to a fairy tale ending for several kids who pass the IIT JEE exams. The program sees its set of challenges in the form of threat by gangsters and social miscreants who are unable to take the success of super 30. Having braved through these thorns, Anand Kumar today is the most sought after teacher and a ray of hope for underprivileged kids who dream big.
Themes of confidence and education are dealt with here. The book also consists of testimonials by former students who share their heart wrenching stories and attribute their success to Super 30.
This stirring biography no doubt moves the readers as they delve into the life of a visionary who aims to bridge the gaps and ignite young minds through education.
A book that is a must read for everyone!
June 30, 2018
"A good teacher can inspire, hope, ignite the imagination, and instil a love of learning". - Brad Henry
Finished reading this book "Super 30: Changing the world 30 students at at time" written by Biju Mathew.
One can Anand Kumar as social change maker, true teacher. Even though he faced several obstacles in his life, he tried his best to put his acquired to make others achieve their goals. .
Some lines which act as catalyst in achieving one's goal.
If you want something in life, you have to approach it from the correct path and work hard for it.
Life often isn't fair, but there's always a chance to change one's fortunes if one is prepared to persevere.
If you fail in achieving your goals, don't worry. You have got nothing to loose. You have gained knowledge about particular things. You will be expert in some or other things. What you can do is to help, guide the people who are struggling like you to reach their goals.
In this present world, many are behind making money. Coaching institutions are making money, if you find someone who is doing for free. They try spoil his work or buy him. There are many ' Anand Kumar' around us, we need to encourage them to continue their good work.
Must read book for teachers, tutors.
| #Super30 | #AnandKumarSir | #Bihar #Mathematics| |#Mathematician | #RamunjanSchoolOfMathematics | | #SocialChange | #Papadwala |
Finished reading this book "Super 30: Changing the world 30 students at at time" written by Biju Mathew.
One can Anand Kumar as social change maker, true teacher. Even though he faced several obstacles in his life, he tried his best to put his acquired to make others achieve their goals. .
Some lines which act as catalyst in achieving one's goal.
If you want something in life, you have to approach it from the correct path and work hard for it.
Life often isn't fair, but there's always a chance to change one's fortunes if one is prepared to persevere.
If you fail in achieving your goals, don't worry. You have got nothing to loose. You have gained knowledge about particular things. You will be expert in some or other things. What you can do is to help, guide the people who are struggling like you to reach their goals.
In this present world, many are behind making money. Coaching institutions are making money, if you find someone who is doing for free. They try spoil his work or buy him. There are many ' Anand Kumar' around us, we need to encourage them to continue their good work.
Must read book for teachers, tutors.
| #Super30 | #AnandKumarSir | #Bihar #Mathematics| |#Mathematician | #RamunjanSchoolOfMathematics | | #SocialChange | #Papadwala |
December 20, 2018
What a book. What a story! It’s a wonder why so few people have read this book, going by the number of ratings on Goodreads. This is one of those books where you judge it by its story, not even giving thought to its writing. All the same, I appreciated the way this book has been written (the author being Biju Mathew). The chronological chapters, interspersed with students’ stories, was, I felt, an apt way of presenting Super 30’s journey.
A must-read for all, especially for students and twenty-something-year-olds who feel lost or uninspired. Anand Kumar’s journey is awe-inspiring, admirable, and one that invariably commands unhesitating respect.
His students’ lives are empowering. When they can do so much, get so ahead in life, take control, and do wonders, so can we! Often, I feel it’s the underprivileged who are more motivated than the comparatively well-off. And that is something that I have learned from the Super 30 kids. That motivation, unrelenting willpower, and hard work. Along with that, the power of having someone who can bring together the right people, harness their energy, and channel it... how blessed these kids must be!
Truly a commendable and action-worthy initiative. May more of us learn of the journey of all the people behind Super 30 and take away a beautiful message and a similar drive. 🙏🏼
A must-read for all, especially for students and twenty-something-year-olds who feel lost or uninspired. Anand Kumar’s journey is awe-inspiring, admirable, and one that invariably commands unhesitating respect.
His students’ lives are empowering. When they can do so much, get so ahead in life, take control, and do wonders, so can we! Often, I feel it’s the underprivileged who are more motivated than the comparatively well-off. And that is something that I have learned from the Super 30 kids. That motivation, unrelenting willpower, and hard work. Along with that, the power of having someone who can bring together the right people, harness their energy, and channel it... how blessed these kids must be!
Truly a commendable and action-worthy initiative. May more of us learn of the journey of all the people behind Super 30 and take away a beautiful message and a similar drive. 🙏🏼
December 15, 2020
Super 30: Changing the World 30 Students at a Time by Anand Kumar
I read this book after the movie came out. Although I understood what was going on in the movie but still was interesting in knowing more about the journey Anand took.
-The best part of the book is the colour photos which explained all the journey. This also motivated me to put a collage of photos in my novel about Ph.D. journey.
-I personally know some of the student profiles in Student Speaks mentioned in the novel, as I did B.Tech from IIT Kharagpur (for example Shashi Narayan was the B.Tech batchmate who studies in Super 30 coaching)
-In the end, it made me happy that Anand got some credit and recognition abroad for his hard work which he put for the financially weak students.
-It proves, if a person wants and is dedicated he can do it, whatever obstacles come in the way.
Must recommend this book for IIT Jee aspirants and also B.Tech students to realise that doing Engineering means that you are given a chance by people who are behind our success. Do not waste their effort.
-Loved the chapter headings such as a messiah is born, a force called super 30. THEY GENERATE INTEREST !!
Regards and All the Best
Dr. Mayank Mishra
Author: Diary of a Ph.D. Student: To be or not to be
I read this book after the movie came out. Although I understood what was going on in the movie but still was interesting in knowing more about the journey Anand took.
-The best part of the book is the colour photos which explained all the journey. This also motivated me to put a collage of photos in my novel about Ph.D. journey.
-I personally know some of the student profiles in Student Speaks mentioned in the novel, as I did B.Tech from IIT Kharagpur (for example Shashi Narayan was the B.Tech batchmate who studies in Super 30 coaching)
-In the end, it made me happy that Anand got some credit and recognition abroad for his hard work which he put for the financially weak students.
-It proves, if a person wants and is dedicated he can do it, whatever obstacles come in the way.
Must recommend this book for IIT Jee aspirants and also B.Tech students to realise that doing Engineering means that you are given a chance by people who are behind our success. Do not waste their effort.
-Loved the chapter headings such as a messiah is born, a force called super 30. THEY GENERATE INTEREST !!
Regards and All the Best
Dr. Mayank Mishra
Author: Diary of a Ph.D. Student: To be or not to be
October 3, 2019
Anand Kumar, the visionary mathematician, the benevolent mentor and the visionary founder of Super 30. This book is one of those books which every Indian should read and possess a copy. It is a heart wrenching, true-life story of Mr. Kumar who made a name for himself in a most benevolent way. The story of his determination, struggle, and recognition is simply staggering. he is the perfect example of if there is a will there is a way. Even one may add from "Rags to the riches". But for him, it was never about the money or fame. The main idea and motive for the Super 30 initiate were to impart knowledge for those who had a hunger for it but could not do it because of the educational mafias who exploited those simple folks off their money. He created a golden pathway for those people who wanted to study but could not afford. An excellent motivational read, excellently written by Mr. Biju Mathew.
May 29, 2017
This is a real life story which when first heard sounds too good to be true. The story of a genius mathematician born in a poor family in the time of great misery and distress who fought against all odds to not only make a name of his own but also make success stories out of countless other kids from challenged back grounds. The story of Mr. Anand Kumar from Bihar who every year picks up 30 students from poor families, houses them, coaches them and finally helps them in clearing the IIT engineering entrance exam- The exam which is written by close to 1.5 million students all over India every year but only about 15000 get in. The questions answered in this book are not only how does he do it? but more importantly we find an answer to the question- Why does he do it year after year?
Must read for anyone interested in the field of Higher Education in India.
Must read for anyone interested in the field of Higher Education in India.
August 14, 2019
I really enjoyed this biography due to how the substantial knowledge had about the Super 30 program. The descriptions provided about the Anand Kumar's speeches and movements provided a truly immersive experience for readers. The provided graphics of Anand Kumar's students and hometown in this biography also enhanced the reader's experience. These graphics helped emphasise the poor and depraved conditions in which Anand Kumar lived in. Anand Kumar wanted to prove that even those in impoverished and poor conditions could still succeed with the help of education. The interviews with Anand Kumar's students and his associated further expressed Kumar's intent to help his students gain admission into prestigious universities, thereby proving that anyone can triumph over their stigmas and adversities regardless of the conditions they live in.
October 21, 2018
Inspiring story of a man, who can be anything but the path chosen by himself for the well being of poor and under privileged students in our own country of India. It's not just his story but the torchbearer for many who made big despite being born in a poor lifestyle, like for e.g. Nidhi Jha, on whom the film was made.
Proud to see people like Anand Kumar who made many people's dreams alive and going strong over more than a decade. Lot of success stories in making. Proud, proud, very proud..!!
Proud to see people like Anand Kumar who made many people's dreams alive and going strong over more than a decade. Lot of success stories in making. Proud, proud, very proud..!!
May 11, 2017
A solid example of perseverance, integrity and strong will is set with reading of this book.It brings forth the examples of victory over the circumstances that Anand Kumar so strongly presents in his personality.
Though the writing could have been better, one cannot deny that the simplicity of the language reaches out to many. An essential lesson of resilience and strength, truly inspiring journey. Must read.
Though the writing could have been better, one cannot deny that the simplicity of the language reaches out to many. An essential lesson of resilience and strength, truly inspiring journey. Must read.
August 15, 2020
Anand's story is inspiring, we all have that streak to do social work, taking the responsibility of 30 deprived students, and making them financially independent is a step in reducing income inequality. For this, he is worthy of the recognition he is receiving.
It is a little exaggeration to present him as a messiah. Still, undoubtedly he is a very compassionate being, 'who has given back to the society way more than he has received.'
It is a little exaggeration to present him as a messiah. Still, undoubtedly he is a very compassionate being, 'who has given back to the society way more than he has received.'
April 3, 2022
5 stars for the story itself. The book could have been written/polished better but considering Mr. Kumar wrote it and was probably in a hurry to get back into the classroom to teach his super 30, I'm not bothered lol. I bought this book after randomly watching the film adaptation a couple years ago at AMC where they were showing a bunch of foreign films one week. I finally sat down to read the book just now and couldn't put it down.
February 22, 2018
I'll be honest. I had heard of the Kota coaching schools but not of Anand Kumar or Super 30. A simple read without powerful language to tell the story of how Anand Kumar inspires and creates an environment for dozens of economically challenged kids every year to pass one of the most rigorous exams in the world, to teach solutions and not only concepts, and to remain true to the original spirit.
March 18, 2018
'Education is power'
This book strongly revolves around the power of education.
This is a story of a mathematician named Anand Kumar who starts his own school for 30 students to prepare for IIT-JEE.
His commitment towards his work and working selflessly without accepting any donations has moved me tremendously. An inspirational read!
This book strongly revolves around the power of education.
This is a story of a mathematician named Anand Kumar who starts his own school for 30 students to prepare for IIT-JEE.
His commitment towards his work and working selflessly without accepting any donations has moved me tremendously. An inspirational read!
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