A visionary educationist and philanthropist, Dr. Satyabrata Minaketan is the founder-chairman of the Bhubaneswar-based ODM Educational Group which comprises eight institutions, including six schools: ODM Public School and ODM Global School (Bhubaneswar); ODM Sapphire Global School (Ranchi); ODM International School (Durgapur); ODM International School (Angul); and ODM International School (Gurugram). Additionally, it operates two preschools (Kids World) and the ODM Business School. Together, these institutions provide world-class education rooted in traditional Indian values to 15,000 students, mentored by 1,500 teachers.

In the latest EducationWorld India School Rankings 2024-25, ODM Public School, Bhubaneswar, is ranked among India’s Top 10 day-cum-boarding schools and second in Odisha, while ODM Global School is ranked among Bhubaneswar’s Top 5 co-educational day schools.

Early Life and Career

An alumnus of Ravenshaw College, Cuttack, with degrees in English and education, Dr. Minaketan pressed on to acquire law and MBA degrees from Utkal University and a Ph.D in  Philosophy from Open International University, Colombo. His journey in education began in 1989 when he started teaching children in Bhubaneswar’s red-light slum areas. He established three slum schools in the Sikhar Chandi slum, starting as a teacher himself due to the lack of resources. In 1990, he founded ODM Public School in a rented three-room house with just three students. To fund the school, he practised law during the day and dedicated his evenings to running the school.

Having studied in a vernacular Odia-medium school and experienced communication challenges, Dr. Minaketan resolved to offer English-medium education, which he considers India’s vital link language. Disillusioned by the inefficiencies of post-independence socialism, he also promoted free enterprise through the establishment of ODM Business School.

Health advocacy and contributions to society

A committed social activist, Dr. Minaketan has founded three free schools for tribal children and women, as well as a health centre in Odisha. He is credited with the rehabilitation of 2,000 tribal families through the provision of food and shelter, promoting  enterprise, and empowering marginalised communities.

Additionally, he established HealthVille, eastern India’s No.1 premium naturopathy centre and wellness resort located in Bhubaneswar. An acclaimed author of 32 best-selling books on education, health, and motivation under his “You Can Series”, his contributions extend to his popular YouTube channel, where he shares parenting, wellness, and entrepreneurial success tips through his “Mantras of Life” series.

Encomiums

For his outstanding contributions to Indian education and society, Dr. Minaketan has been conferred with several awards and accolades. Among them: International Fame Award 2021 (on behalf of Healthville) of Brand iCon, Lifetime Achievement Award 2024 of Sambad Digital, State Business Leadership Award 2021 of The Interview Times, Forbes’ Evangelist India Award 2020, SHRIE Award 2019 for Commendable Achievement in the Field of Social Service and Education, Best Principal Award 2015 of Science Olympiad Foundation, President Award 2013, Vidya Jyoti Award 2004 of Indian Holistic Medical Academy, among others. He was also conferred with a Doctor of Literature (D.Litt) degree by the University of South America.

Growth and Evolution of ODM Educational Group

With the CBSE-affiliated ODM Public School quickly establishing a good reputation in Bhubaneswar for providing high-quality, balanced education and the ODM Business School raising Dr. Minaketan’s public profile, 13 years later, he masterminded the promotion of additional ODM schools in Bhubaneswar (2022), Ranchi (2023), Durgapur (2023), Angul (2024) — all educationally under-served cities, and most recently in Gurugram (2024). He also manages the Utkal Gourav International School which offers free-of-charge education to poor, destitute and tribal children.

“All ODM schools provide high-quality English-medium education with a balanced mix of academics, extracurricular activities, and sports. I believe English-medium education is a passport for social upward mobility, breaking caste, class, and religious barriers,” says Dr. Minaketan.

With the opening of ODM International School in Gurugram for the 2024-25 academic year, Dr. Minaketan aims to take his expertise in K-12 education beyond Odisha and eastern India. Despite competition from capital-intensive schools in Delhi NCR, he is optimistic about the school’s success. “Over the past 36 years, we have gained the experience needed to deliver the highest quality K-12 education. Establishing ODM International in Gurugram will be a test and a valuable learning opportunity. Every child deserves access to high-quality education, and my mission is to make that a reality,” he asserts.

Also read: ODM Educational Group: Scripting an inspirational success story