Education insitutes
Vinesh Menon appointed as co-chairperson for CII committee for school education
Mumbai: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has recently onboarded Ampersand group CEO Vinesh Menon, as the co-chairperson of its National School Education Committee. The move further underscores CII’s commitment to adding value to the all-important K12 sector. The committee also has many renowned thought leaders who represent well known schools and pre-schools in India. On boarding Menon will enable CII to harness his vast wealth of knowledge and experience in the education sector both within the private and government domains.
It is expected that as co-chair, Menon will make a significant contribution to CII and be a catalyst to drive impactful initiatives to transform education delivery in the country.
As the CEO of Ampersand Group, Menon has been instrumental in establishing strategic alliances with government bodies to enhance the quality of school & pre-school education along with skill development initiatives and healthcare solutions. His accomplishments include the successful implementation of many government-backed programs including technology integration into government schools, enablement of Day Care centres for construction labourer’s children under age six who are unable to go to Anganwadi, setting up of Astronomy labs in government schools etc. Menon’s commitment to social impact extends beyond education to the healthcare sector, where he has recently launched emergency medical response platforms for livestock in collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services. His unwavering dedication to making a difference in various aspects of society is a testament to the vision set by the AMPERSAND group founder chairman Rustom Kerawalla.
“I am humbled, honoured and excited to be on boarded into the role of Co-Chairperson at CII to contribute to the recently set up National School Education Committee. I do believe that the education process in India is at an inflection point and bodies like CII which is already influencing India’s economic growth through industry participation can make a huge difference in influencing the much needed learning & education transformation that is so vital for the country’s development & citizen livelihood. This is an incredible opportunity to leverage my experience and passion to work with CII secretariat and the members National School Education initiative of CII and contribute to shaping a brighter future for social impact, innovation, and sustainable growth for the nation,” commented Menon.
When the world’s fastest man watches India’s fastest kids, you know the track is set for fireworks. Dream Dash, a first-of-its-kind multi-city sprinting competition for school children, is gearing up for a blockbuster finale where none other than Usain Bolt will be the Guest of Honour. And ensuring the young athletes sprint on world-class tracks is Gallant Sports, the country’s leading sports infrastructure company, which has partnered as the official Infrastructure Partner.
The sprint series, conceptualised by KPMG in India and presented by Dreamsetgo, puts grassroots sprinting firmly on the national stage. Children from Grades 3 to 9 have already laced up for 100m and 200m races, starting with school-level heats and progressing to inter-school city finals. The fastest of them all will now line up at the grand finales in Mumbai and Delhi, racing not just for glory but in front of the Jamaican legend himself.
For Gallant Sports, the event is a showcase of what it does best building the right stage for sporting dreams. From the design of running tracks to preparing competition surfaces, Gallant has ensured that every venue matches international standards.
“Sports dreams are born on the right grounds,” said Gallant sports & infra founder & CEO Nasir Ali. “At Gallant, we’ve always focused on creating accessible and inclusive facilities that encourage participation and build confidence. Our association with Dream Dash gives us the opportunity to support young sprinters with the infrastructure they need to pursue their ambitions.”
While winning will always grab headlines, Dream Dash puts equal emphasis on participation. Every child who competes whether they cross the line first or not will receive a medal and certificate, ensuring no one leaves without a moment of pride. It’s a reminder that sport is as much about the journey as the podium.
The initiative is also part of a larger conversation: India’s urgent need for more safe, durable, and affordable sports infrastructure in schools and communities. Gallant Sports has been leading that charge, working to make sport a shared experience rather than a privilege limited to a few.
With Usain Bolt watching from the sidelines and young Indians sprinting towards their dreams, the finale of Dream Dash promises to be a celebration of both fitness and aspiration. If the right environment can turn potential into performance, then this partnership may well spark the next generation of champions.
