Ms. Sudha Gupta
As the world continues to metamorphose and the definition of success evolves, building a nurturing foundation integrating academic prowess and emotional intelligence is a visionary feat. One such visionary is the founder and the esteemed chairperson of the best preschool in India, i.e., Mother's Pride and the Presidium Group of Schools, Ms. Sudha Gupta, who has revolutionized the landscape of education in India. Her journey of transforming institution paradigms to fostering individuality and leadership (the holistic vision encompassing personal growth and development), besides being the most sought-after parenting expert provided impetus for her being honoured with the most prestigious Femina Achievers Award 2025. This award certainly does not only celebrates her life’s work and excellence in education & parenting but encapsulates the real focus of education in the emotionally intelligent twenty first century.
It was in 1996, when the concept of preschools in India was still at a nascent stage, that Ms. Sudha Gupta laid the cornerstone of her educational legacy with the founding of Mother's Pride, widely acknowledged as the best preschool in India. Recognizing the immense need for structured early education that nurtured young minds through love, creativity, and guided learning, she envisioned a preschool where Love Blossoms Here.’ She ensured the creation of a space that was emotionally warm yet intellectually enriching with its Curriculum of Love— a preschool model that soon became a benchmark across the country.
Furthering her vision, in 2005 she opened Presidium, a formal school which offers holistic education in India with an emphasis on co-curricular activities designed to develop future leaders. When most institutions were still stuck on rote learning and grade obsession, Ms. Sudha Gupta was already advocating for critical life skills. With a focus on emotional intelligence, and confidence-building, the school inspires each student to Be What You Want to Be. Through this bold and compassionate approach, Presidium continues to shape future-ready leaders who are self-assured, emotionally grounded, and purpose-driven.
Her guiding philosophy focuses on, “every child is different and has the potential for greatness given the right emotional and educational framework.” Through Mother's Pride and Presidium, she has reached and positively impacted over 100,000 students in India and abroad.
The Femina Achievers Award 2025 for Excellence in Education & Parenting is more than just a recognition — it’s a testament to the transformative work that Ms. Sudha Gupta has accomplished over nearly three decades. In a world that is waking up to the importance of emotional intelligence in education, gender-neutral parenting, mental wellness in children, and leadership development from an early age, her work stands at the intersection of progressive education and compassionate mentorship.
This award acknowledges not just her achievements as an educationist and parenting expert, but her influence in shifting societal mindsets toward holistic development in India. It is a symbol of the positive change she has initiated — empowering parents, guiding teachers, and most importantly, nurturing children into emotionally resilient and confident individuals.
Ms. Gupta’s methodology is centred on the belief that an achiever’s emotional strengths enable them to endure the challenges of life. According to her “An achiever sets themselves apart through emotional strength – the inner strength that is critical for obstacles to be endured with poise and resolve.”
It is not just a concept. Ms. Gupta’s parenting and education seminars, her books, and active participation in curriculum design propelled her into building a framework which recognizes 11 life skills pivotal to leading a happy, successful and powerful life. This self-belief, emotional strength, problem-solving, effective communication, creativity, among others, are cultivated in the classrooms of Presidium.
The emotional scaffolding that Presidium provides goes beyond helping students achieve high marks and includes mental fortitude, empathy, and relational aptitude — markers of success throughout life.
The influence of Ms. Sudha Gupta extends far beyond being the founder of Presidium School and Mother's Pride Preschool. As one of the most sought after parenting expert in India and a book writer, she has supported many families to grasp the true meaning of positive parenting. Her approach concentrates on establishing a nurturing ecosystem where children are listened to, respected, and guided without any undue coercion.
The trailblazing initiative “The Guru is Here” marks her commitment to child empowerment. It is aimed at imparting essential life skills to children in fun and relatable ways. By fostering sustainable social-emotional learning, the initiative paves the way for a future led by compassionate leaders, free from depression and anxiety.
In equal weight, her belief lies in empowering the faculty members or teachers. The educators to her institutions undergo regular training through workshops and mentoring sessions to align with her model of emotionally responsive, care-based education. This has generated an emotionally driven education multiplier effect on these mentored educators encouraging them to adopt the role of a mother and a father. In turn, they transform into compassionate mentors—like elder sisters and brothers—who guide students by integrating both head and heart.
Throughout her journey, Ms. Sudha Gupta has received numerous accolades, including the Emerging India Award, the Golden Peacock Award, and recognition from FICCI. As the most sought-after parenting expert in India, she has also been a voice of parenting on various media platforms, including radio and television, making parenting wisdom accessible to millions.
However, it is perhaps the impact she has made — in classrooms, homes, and communities — that stands as her most enduring legacy.
When asked about her proudest achievement, she reflects, “My most profound achievement is the opportunity to shape young minds, nurturing a love for learning and promoting holistic development.” And that speaks volumes. In a results-driven world, it takes courage to prioritize emotional well-being and long-term fulfillment over short-term academic wins.
The future of education, as, Ms. Sudha Gupta (the founder of Presidium School and Mother’s Pride Preschool) envisions, lies in balance — between head and heart, between academics and emotions, between individuality and community. Through her leadership and passion, she has shown that the ultimate goal of education is not just to build careers but to build character.
Her work stands as an inspiration for educators, school leaders, policymakers, and parents across the globe. In her story lies a roadmap for what true educational excellence looks like — one that is deeply human, powerfully intentional, and full of heart.
In honouring Ms. Sudha Gupta with the Femina Achievers Award 2025 for Excellence in Education & Parenting, we recognize a woman who has not only pioneered early childhood education in India but has also reimagined what it means to raise happy, successful, and emotionally strong individuals. Her journey reminds us that education is not just about teaching subjects — it’s about shaping lives.
As we look towards a future that demands both intelligence and empathy, leaders like Ms. Sudha Gupta light the way forward — with grace, wisdom, and unwavering determination.
