Book Review: Super 30

Super 30 is a famous program run by Anand Kumar in Patna for students from economically backward sections of the society to help them clear IIT-JEE examinations. The book is about Anand's life and how the idea of Super 30 emerged, contribution of his family members and the student testimonials. It is very inspiring to see how Anand Kumar has managed to positively impact the lives of so many people. The people whom he helped by coaching for engineering entrance examinations are the ones who otherwise would have found it difficult to clear these exams on their own given their financial background and exposure. Anand Kumar's teaching proves to be like providing them an escape velocity that helps them to escape the restraining force of poverty.

The book also touches upon how Anand Kumar conceived this idea of providing free education, boarding and lodging to 30 students in an year. Having not been able to pursue higher education in Cambridge University because of the lack of financial support, he took the challenge of tackling the problem by founding Super 30. There is a saying in English as; Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime. The poor students could have been helped in many ways by donations or scholarships, but what Anand Kumar does by teaching them is exactly what the quote says. 

By transforming one student from a village, he manages to change the fortunes of that student's family. Not only the student's family stand benefited by way of jobs that the student gets after graduating from these elite institutions, that student becomes a role model for many others in his or her village too. That student becomes a beacon for others to follow and this is a tremendous impact to the society. One of the quote of Anand Kumar mentioned in the book is something like that One's willpower is only a propellant required to succeed (paraphrased). A very inspiring quote from a very inspiring man who instead of enriching himself monetarily by way of running coaching classes has felt the need to do something for students from the economically backward sections of the society.