Twelve visionaries. Twelve inspiring stories. A million lives transformed.

Education in India has changed rapidly in the past couple of decades, owing to shifting needs, the advent of new technology, and wider demographics. Whether it is Shaheen Mistri's introduction of the 'Teach for India' fellowship, which changed the landscape of teaching in disadvantaged areas of the country, or Anita Karwal's government-implemented policies to standardize educational procedures, the country's academic landscape has grown in significant ways.From school founders like Riverside School's Kiran Bir Sethi, Ryan International's Grace Pinto, Ashoka University's Pramath Raj Sinha and Ashish Dhawan, Prajodh Rajan of Eurokids, GEMS Education's Sunny Varkey, NIIT's Rajendra Pawar to edtech innovators like Eruditus' Ashwin Damera, upGrad's Ronnie Screwvala, and Aakash Institute's Dr J.C. Chaudhry; the people featured in this book have been at the forefront of elevating India's educational landscape. Through their personal stories, big decisions, leadership styles, and life lessons, Pencils and Purpose sheds limelight on leaders who have dedicated their life's purpose to elevate India's educational landscape.