Mr. H. B. Jairaj
Trustee
Mr. H. B. Jairaj, the Chairman of HRB Group of companies, is a renowned prominent industrialist from Karnataka. Mr. Jairaj has guided his group of organizations into successful ventures across diverse enterprises. At Indus, he is at the helm of strategic and financial planning, helping to pave our way up on the list of best schools in Bangalore.
Dr. Kumar Malavalli
Trustee
Dr. Kumar Malavalli is an entrepreneur, renowned philanthropist and a visionary in the field of storage networks. Trustee to Indus International Schools, he has been instrumental in promoting the entrepreneurship curriculum and wellness philosophy of the school are significant.
He is the co-author and driving force behind Fibre Channel, an evolutionary technology that enabled the development of production-class Storage Area Networks (SAN’s). He is also the Co-founder and former CTO of Brocade Communications; Co-founder, Chairman and CSO of InMage Systems and the CSO of LeadFormix. In February 2003, he was inducted into the Silicon Valley Engineering Council’s Hall of Fame for his significant contributions towards technology. Kumar’s philanthropy in the field of education extends from digital learning centres in rural India to American institutions for higher education. He also established the 'Kumar Malavalli Endowed Chair' in Storage Systems Research at the University of California, Santa Cruz and co-founded Indus Scholastic Management Services.
Professor. Shivram Malavalli
Trustee
Currently the Chairman of Indian Institute of Production Engineers, Senior Advisor at World Association of Small & Medium Enterprises and General Secretary of the Indian Science and Technology Entrepreneurs Parks Association. Professor. Shivram Malavalli now also guides all of the ICT and Telecommunication initiatives at Indus international school
He was honoured in China for his contribution to the growth of small and medium enterprises, both in India and abroad, by the World Association of Small & Medium Enterprises (WASME) in China.
Mr. Sushil Mantri
Trustee
Mr. Sushil Mantri, Chairman & Managing Director of Mantri Developers Pvt. Ltd, has transitioned from being an entrepreneur and visionary to an industry trendsetter. Widely known for his social outreach to the underprivileged, his efforts also include improving the aesthetics of public properties. In the world of realty, housing and construction, his accomplishments are well known.
Mr. Mantri motivates and advises his committed team on all matters concerning governance, infrastructure, business development & budgeting.
Lt Gen Arjun Ray PVSM, VSM (Retd.)
Founder, MD & CEO, Indus Trust
A soldier-scholar of the Indian Army, Lt. General Arjun Ray, PVSM, VSM (Retd.) has a wide range of experiences in matters of defence and conflict management. Deeply committed to social transformation, he is also the CEO/MD of the Indus Trust and provides vision and strategic direction to all Indus International Schools and Institutions.
He is responsible for long-term perspective planning, leadership training, teachers' development programmes, innovation in education, aligning parents with children and community, and implementing the Trust's social responsibilities. Under his leadership, Indus International has become a premier institution in Bangalore.
General Ray graduated from the prestigious Staff College at Camberley, UK, and served as India’s Deputy Military Advisor in London. On his last assignment prior to retirement, he commanded the newly raised 14 Corps in Ladakh. His success in forestalling insurgency in the region by winning over alienated communities into the nation's mainstream was nationally and internationally acclaimed
Prior to building and leading one of the top boarding schools in India, as a part of Operation Sadbhavana (Goodwill), he set up 13 schools, 11 Women's Empowerment Centers, and 60 Adult Education Centers for non-literate women along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. He provided free education and pastoral care to 125 Ladakhi girls in Bangalore colleges.
General Ray was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, the highest honour in the armed forces for distinguished service. His success story in ‘change leadership’ has been selected as a case study for business and management schools in India. A dynamic leader, his foresight and intellect has led him to mould Indus into a stellar educational institution and a top-ranked international school in Bangalore.
In his second calling – International school education – he is of the firm belief that the purpose of education in the 21st century is to prepare the child for life. Teachers must facilitate a nurturing environment to draw out the potential in every child, especially in residential schools in India, which are a home away from home.
He deemed this possible, by instilling in teachers and students core leadership competencies, such as innovation, persuasive communication, critical thinking, grit and more. This equips them to design their future in a VUCA world (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous). It is a vision that sets the bar high among the world’s top International Schools.
Under his leadership, thirteen institutions including the three IB Schools, Indus Altum International School affiliated, to Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE), the School of Leadership, the Indus Training and Research Institute, ‘Start-up you’ school, Five Early Learning Centres, and the International Community School, which is the world’s first equal opportunity school, have been set up.
IB World has recently acknowledged General Ray as one of six IB World School Leaders for rethinking education and making a high-quality education affordable to the underprivileged. Education World has named him one of the 50 game-changers in the education scenario in India. He was also awarded the White Swan Education Award for the ‘Most Influential Leader 2015-16’, in India. With his radical vision, Indus International has become an example for schools in Bangalore and throughout the country.
General Ray also won the Brainfeed Lifetime Achievement Award (2017-18) for his outstanding contribution to the field of education by elevating standards in imparting quality education to next generation learners.
General Ray has three interests – reading, writing, and speaking on leadership. His first book, Kashmir Diary: The Psychology of Military, helps to understand the mind and motivation of a terrorist. The second book, Peace is Everybody’s Business: Strategy for Conflict Prevention, is a treatise in conflict-prevention and has just been published by SAGE Publications. This book was inspired by General Ray’s experience in bringing lasting peace in Ladakh.
Lt. General Ray also won the CFore Lifetime Achievement Award (2024-25) for his highly acclaimed contribution in the field of education. He is an exemplary learner, teacher and leader with a vision and strategies to bring innovation in education.
For more information on General Ray, you may please visit. www.generalarjunray.com
Dr. Sarojini Rao
Deputy CEO, Indus Trust
Dr. Sarojini Rao is an accomplished educational leader who has a profound impact on the academic landscape. Her exemplary tenure as Principal of Indus International School, Bangalore has been marked by exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Dr. Rao's educational philosophy is rooted in fostering a culture of academic rigor, intellectual curiosity, and holistic development. Her expertise encompasses curriculum design, pedagogical innovation, and leadership development, with a nuanced understanding of the complexities of contemporary education.
Dr. Rao has spearheaded numerous groundbreaking initiatives that have redefined the educational paradigm. Notably, she has been the driving force behind the Collaborative Learning Model, a paradigm-shifting initiative that forms the cornerstone of education at The Indus Trust. This innovative model embodies a synergistic tripartite collaboration between Artificial Intelligence, Human Intelligence, and the student, empowering learners to navigate the complexities of the 21st century with agility and discernment.
Under Dr. Rao's visionary leadership, Indus International School Bangalore has achieved unparalleled success, including being ranked the premier international school in India for thirteen consecutive years. Her tenure has been characterized by a relentless pursuit of excellence, innovative pedagogical practices, and a steadfast commitment to nurturing compassionate and visionary global citizens.
In recognition of her transformative leadership in academia, her commitment to fostering innovation, and her remarkable contribution to the field of education, Dr. Sarojini Rao has been conferred the Cfore Lifetime Achievement Award 2025.
As the Deputy CEO of The Indus Trust, Dr. Rao will shape the educational landscape and drive innovation across the Indus ecosystem.
Mr. Partho Banerjee, Principal, and Ms. Lakshmi Chetan, Vice Principal, are educators committed to academic excellence. Both bring a wealth of experience and expertise, driving growth with strategic vision.
