Page 56 - Education World September 2021

People

with active and staggered screen- and IIM-Amritsar
time. We began with Learn@Home, (2018-2019).
a live, interactive online programme While teaching
with carefully curated age-appro- at IIM-Amritsar,
priate content. This was followed Sharma conceptu-
up with Kare@Home, an in-person, alised a network-
at-home care and learning solution ing platform for
to suit the needs of families. Our research scholars
teachers and caregivers delivered and in 2018
ECCE at home to 4,000 households invested Rs.3 lakh
across India. With preschools and from her personal
primary-secondaries shuttered for savings to co-
over 16 months and counting, we are promote Ink-
constantly innovating and expanding pothub together
our portfolio to ensure that critical with student
foundational learning of youngest Dr. Anita Sharma: indefatigable academic-entrepreneur Nishant Singh.
children doesn’t stop. Moreover The very same
early this year, we introduced KLAY edge. A polio survivor, Sharma is year, she promoted DOMO. In 2019,
Enrich which offers a range of also the founder of Drive On My Own Sharma quit academia and became a
online extra-curricular activities for (DOMO, estb.2018), the country’s full-time entrepreneur.
children in the 3-16 years age group, first driving school for persons with Direct talk. “In 2018, while I was
followed by our newest initiative disabilities. reading for my Ph D at IIM-Indore
Klaytopia,” says Srikanth. Inkpothub’s valued clients include I became aware that most higher
Future plans. Encouraged by the several IIMs; Jaipuria Institute of ed institutions other than the IIMs
rising demand for the company’s Management, Noida; IMT, Ghazi- didn’t provide mentors for research
at-home and hybrid programmes abad; Fortune Institute of Inter- scholars. That’s when the idea of
for early learners, Srikanth has a national Business, among others. Inkpothub was born. Since then,
detailed roadmap for the future. Moreover, DOMO has certified 110 additional investment of Rs.10 lakh
“We know that school campuses people with disabilities. over the past three years has enabled
may be no-go zones for most of Newspeg. On International Women’s us to upgrade the platform into a
2021, if not the entire academic year. Day (March 8), the All India Profes- marketplace for professors to find
Therefore, our focus is on continuous sionals’ Congress — professional the right fit for research positions
innovation to improve our online wing of the Indian National Congress and students, the finest mentors.
hybrid and at-home ECCE while — in association with Star Founda- Currently, we have signed up 22
also keeping our ears to the ground tion included Sharma among 21 mentors for our 145 students. My
to address the needs of families women achievers felicitated with DOMO dream was also realised in
struggling with the impact of the ‘The Most Inspiring Woman of Raj- 2018. I used my customised car that
pandemic on their children and asthan Award 2021’. I have been driving for 20 years as a
maintaining learning continuity,” History. Sharma was just six months training vehicle for my students and
says Srikanth. of age when the dreaded polio this venture now provides in-person
Paromita Sengupta (Bengaluru) virus struck her, paralyzing her driving workshops countrywide.
from waist down. Nine surgeries Our mission is to enable physically
Exemplary later, she is able to walk with challenged individuals to travel
to destinations and places of their
crutches and calipers. Nevertheless,
entrepreneur Sharma pressed on to graduate choice without depending on others,”
says Sharma.
in business management from
Rajasthan University and Banasthali Future plans. Encouraged by the
dupreneur DR. ANITA Vidyapeeth, and was awarded a success of Inkpothub and DOMO,
SHARMA is the Jaipur-based Ph D by IIM-Indore for her thesis this indefatigable academic
Eco-founder of Stuprorefying on disability and entrepreneurship. entrepreneur has drawn up
Pvt. Ltd aka Inkpothub (estb.2018), In 2006, Sharma began teaching ambitious plans for the future.
a unique networking platform for as assistant professor of Banasthali “Our focus will be on maximising
research scholars, professors and Vidyapeeth (2006-2011). This Inkpothub’s online presence. I
students to collaborate, organise was followed by stints at Thapar intend to invest Rs.5 crore over
research studies and share knowl- University, Chandigarh, IIM-Indore the next three years to develop the

56 EDUCATIONWORLD SEPTEMBER 2021