Hyderabad, August 30, 02024…….His Excellency Sri K. Haribabu Hon’ble Governor of Mizoram, launched the Book “Shomie Das–The Man Who Saw Tomorrow” in a function held on Thursday late night function held at Oakridge School in Gachibowli. The protagonist Mr. Shomie Das was also present on the occasion.

Naga Tummala, Co-founder of Oakridge Intl School and Founder & CEO of Coschool authored the book.

Shomie Ranjan Das is an illustrious educationist on whom the book is written. He is 89 years old and is an alumnus of The Doon School. He served as the headmaster of the three top schools in India, namely The Doon School, Mayo College, and Lawrence School, Sanawar. He had earlier taught at Gordonstoun School in Scotland. He established the Oakridge International School in Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Mohali, and Bengaluru. He now lives in Hyderabad.

The book is written in his honour. After he retired from the Doon School, he became an educational consultant and has been contributing his vision in education to nearly 76 schools nationwide. Mr Das has been proudly inducted into the Hall of Fame of Indian Education, for his extraordinary contributions and development of India’s top-ranked legacy boarding schools and for upgrading the school education system across the country.

Speaking immediately after it was unveiled, His Excellency Sri K. Haribabu, Hon’ble Governor of Mizoram, praised Shomie for his exemplary contribution to Indian education. The life and career of Mr Shomie Das is indeed exemplary and worthy of recognition and celebration

His grandfather, the nationalist Mr Satish Ranjan Das, was the visionary for the establishment of the Doon School, he added We are proud to know that Mr Das had the opportunity to teach King Charles III, the current King of the United Kingdom, while he was a student at Gordonstown School in Scotland. Honourable K Harinabu added that Mr Das remained in contact with the royal family is showing his lasting impact.

As the leader of India’s top three schools, he has left a progressive impact by promoting holistic education and encouraging critical thinking and character development, he added,

Speaking further the honourable Governor highlighted the salient features of the National Education Policy(NEP), and said the policy seeks to utilise international education to reestablish India as a Vishwa Guru.

I am optimistic that if we vigorously pursue the salient features of the NEP 2020, we can bring about positive transformation, ultimately leading to a Viksit Bharat, he concluded his address Shomie Das’s 89th birthday was celebrated on the occasion by cutting the cake.

Mr Shomie Das hails from such an illustrious family, which is the only Indian family whose five generations have studied at Cambridge School. Speaking on the occasion the protagonist said the ship is safe in the harbour but that is not what it is built for. Similarly, the child is safe at home, but that is not what he/she is for. He/she must go out and venture into challenging things. Human souls always want to get out and discover. So, the job of schools is to prepare students to set sail in future.

Naga Thummala, the author said he never thought that he would write a book one day. And he shared the three-year journey behind the book. Somie is a doyen. He built 76 successful schools including Oakridge. His talent shouldn’t vanish after him. I want it to immortalise his journey, and experience. I was becoming restless. That was the driving force behind writing this book.

The forward of the book is written by Rudrangshu Mukherjee, Chancellor and Professor of History, at Ashok’s University.

The book is dedicated to all teachers and educators.

The hardbound 200-page book is published by Om Books International and is published by Pragathi Printers. It is available on website www. ombooks.com at $ 17.99

After the launch of the book, Naga Thummala and Shomie were in conversation which was facilitated by KV Arjun Rao, Principal, Bombay International School

Giving his opening remarks Raj Yarlagadda, one of the co-founders of Oakridge Group schools said writing a book was like giving a birth to a baby. Re recalled his long association with His Excellency K Haribabu.

Over 200 gatherings graced the occasion.