Super 30 founder is a role model in Japan

Anand Kumar finds a special mention in a book that has a chapter on his achievements.

Anand Kumar, founder of Super 30, Bihar's free coaching centre which helps economically backward students crack the Indian Institute of Technology-Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE) has become a role model in Japan which used science and technology to reach the pinnacle of development.

It was revealed in a latest book, Indo No Shougeki, published by Japan's famous publisher 'Bhushan' and prepared by the journalists of country's famous TV Channel NHK.

The book has a chapter exclusively on Anand Kumar's struggle and the success of his pioneering Super 30 initiative. Priced at 1800 yen, the book describes him as a 'wind of change', who is contributing to India's rapid progress.

The book revolves round India's development story. It says that education is at the root of India's progress march and people like Anand Kumar are lending strength to it.

It says how Anand, who himself could not go to Cambridge for want to money, is helping several talented students from the underprivileged families reach out for higher education.

Anand Kumar told rediff.com on telephone on Tuesday that in the last few years, he became quite popular in Japan after several newspapers, magazines and TV channels covered his inspiring life story the impact of his innovative Super 30 school, which has so far helped 236 students from underprivileged families clear the highly competitive IIT-JEE.

The book is quite popular among the students of Japan Management School. They have also planned to visit Anand's Super 30 School in Patna to see how the school runs.

A student from Tokyo, Takyuki Doi, came to Patna to meet Anand Kumar. "We had seen and read a lot about Super 30 through TV programmes and newspapers. Many students want to come here. Anand is doing a wonderful work," he said.

Recently, Japan's popular TV channel, Kansai Telecasting Corporation, director Yuta Amma had come here to make a documentary on Anand and his Super 30 School. Before that, Yoichi Itoh, chief economic of Japan's STB Research Institute had also come here to make an hour-long documentary for NHK channel.

The documentary on Super 30 evoked tremendous response in Japan. "We have been receiving phone calls and messages from the audience in Japan. They are very impressed by all that you are doing and the passion of your students," wrote Emiko Amagawa, producer, NHK, Japan Broadcasting Corporation, to Anand.

He has cited people's voices in his letter to Anand. "We realised how crucial education is. We really have to learn from India how to survive in the 21st century," said one

Another one said, "Watching Super 30 students at the Ramanujan School of Mathematics make tremendous efforts to become engineers and contribute to the community and the country, I understand why India can and will grow dramatically."

There was yet another voice: "All the eyes of Super 30 students shine with hope, while the eyes of Japanese children look exhausted due to computer games."

Impressed by Anand's work for underprivileged students, former Miss Japan Norika Fujiwara also came to Patna to make a film on Super 30 for Man Union. Japan's leading newspaper Yomiuri also carried an exhaustive feature on Anand and his Super 30 School.

On this, Anand said that the success of Super 30 was mainly due to his dedicated team of teachers and sincere bunch of students, who toil to achieve their goal.

"I am happy with the recognition Super 30 has got. It was started to help talented students from poor families, who would otherwise find it difficult even to continue studies. Such recognitions will give me strength to continue," he added.