Boarding School in Dehradun, The ICS’s Inspirational Women 2
Welcome back to the second edition of The Indian Cambridge School, a girls’ boarding school in Dehradun’s Inspirational Women #2, a series where we showcase the most brilliant and inspiring women who have made a remarkable impact on the world.
The Indian Cambridge School, the best boarding school in Dehradun, is open for admission for the session 2024-2025. More on that later; for now, let’s get straight into the crux of the matter. The ICS’s Inspirational Women is a series where we throw light on women who have made a remarkable impact on the world.
This is a series that we hope will inspire our girls and motivate them to develop a refined competitive spirit that empowers them to take their rightful place in society as responsible citizens of the country and the global community. In this blog, we will focus on the resilient Ms. Anu Aga. Let’s jump into the rabbit hole, shall we?
Who is Anu Aga?
Ms. Anu Aga is a billionaire businesswoman and social worker who led Thermax, an energy and environment engineering business, as its chairperson from 1996–2004. Named as one of the richest Indian women, Anu was awarded the “Mumbai Women of the Decade Achievers Award” by ASSOCHAM. Anu played an integral role in Thermax’s growth, which began in 1985 when she joined the organisation as the Head of Human Resources. Upon her husband’s, the late Rohinton Aga’s, untimely demise in 1996, Anu succeeded him as the new chairperson of Thermax Ltd.
A working mother of two young children, Anu immediately realised that some of the biggest challenges she was facing as the leader of a large-scale, highly diversified engineering firm were that, first of all, her professional background was severely lacking in comparison to the firm’s, and secondly, back then, the Indian economy was in the middle of a severe downturn.
- Anu Aga
The Key to Anu’s and Thermax’s Turnaround
Anu immediately realised that she and the firm needed to be more in-depth and that something needed to change. But in her own words, the key or secret to her success was her willingness to ask for help! She showed resilience in the wake of her personal loss, and the growth the company experienced under her 8-year tenure as the leader of Thermax is a testament to her foresight, commitment to excellence, and belief in ethical business practices.
In an interview, Anu shared that her commitment to responsibility was a major factor that led her to take a hard stance against corruption within Thermax, institutionalising a no-corruption policy as part of the company’s corporate culture.
Through the Thermax Foundation, Anu has empowered underprivileged communities, advocating for education and gender equality. In fact, her commitment to societal causes is a clear example of the success of a business, and social responsibility goes hand in hand.
In 2004, when Anu made her decision to step down as the chairperson of Thermax, she handed the baton over to her daughter, Meher Pudumjee, while continuing to serve as the chairperson of the Thermax Foundation and becoming even more involved in philanthropic activities and NGOs such as Akansha and Teach For India. Her contributions to the betterment of society earned her the prestigious Padma Shri Award in 2010.
It was reported that in December 2023, the valuation of Thermax Ltd. stood at a whopping 30,000 INR crore, and Anu’s valuation stood at 20,000 INR crore. That’s not a bad amount for one of the biggest woman entrepreneurs ever to be an Indian.
Her life is an inspiration for young women out there because she stood strong and moved forward with her head held high. Her desire to excel and never back down is something every single Cambrite is also instilled with. As much as we empathise with the pain and problems of our students, at The Indian Cambridge School, the best girls boarding school in Dehradun, we prepare our students for wins and losses equally. The school culture helps young girls be fearless while facing their fears and pains, giving them the strength that will stay with them once they graduate from their lives at the school.
At our lush green campus with boarding facilities in Dalanwala, we impart an education that is aimed at instilling a sense of equality and social and cultural ethos and refining the competitive spirit of our students, ensuring that each student passing out of the school is a leader who leads by example.
We are backed by a highly qualified faculty that is eager to mentor each student, preparing them for every opportunity. They are the reason why the school motto “Endeavour to Excel” has become such a big part of the identity of “Cambrite.”
The ICS Junior Wing is a brand new chapter for the best boarding schools for girls in Dehradun.
The inviting facilities offer a safe, stimulating environment where your little girl can thrive. With full-time dedicated educators guiding smart daily learning activities, we have tailored ourselves to each age group’s needs, offering growth in every possible area. From interactive play to educational exploration, your daughter will flourish in our care. Let us take you on a guided tour where you can observe the warmth, creativity, and educational excellence that define our programs.
Call 708-888-8856 or 724-990-9095. Don’t miss out because we have limited seats available! Visit this page for more information and if you have any questions! Make sure you follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more updates!
