suparjya swain 
Feature: In the heart of western Odisha, where the rhythms of rural life meet the aspirations of a rising state, stands a man who has turned business success into a vehicle for social transformation. Shri Sankar Prasad Jain is not just an entrepreneur — he is a visionary edupreneur who sees education as the most powerful tool for shaping the future.
For nearly three decades, Shri Jain has been a force of progress, building a diverse business portfolio spanning rice milling, stone crushing, brick manufacturing, infrastructure, and agriculture. As the Managing Director of Anant Paddy Products Pvt Ltd, Snapp Paddy Processing Pvt Ltd, Shrishti Infraventure Pvt Ltd, and Jwalaji Buildcon Pvt Ltd, as well as Managing Partner of Vardhaman Food Products, he has played a pivotal role in strengthening rural economies, creating jobs, and fuelling local development.
Yet, what truly defines him is not the scale of his enterprises but the scope of his vision. To Shri Jain, business has always been a means to a higher end — the empowerment of individuals and communities through education. This belief inspired him to establish Aastha Public School and Aastha Charitable Trust, where he serves as Founder and Managing Trustee. Under his leadership, Aastha Public School has become a model institution in the region, committed to holistic learning that nurtures both intellect and character.
His commitment to education extends to higher learning as well, as evidenced by his role as President of the Governing Body of P.S. Degree College, Belpada. By creating accessible and quality educational avenues for children and youth, Shri Jain is ensuring that talent from small towns and rural areas can find a platform to rise and thrive.
Beyond his own initiatives, Shri Jain lends his support to larger educational campaigns such as the Matushri Kashiba Haribhai Goti Charitable Trust’s ambitious project to build 309 new Saraswati Dhams — temples of learning aimed at bringing education to underserved corners of the country. His philosophy is rooted in the conviction that knowledge is the true engine of progress. “When a child in a remote village gets the opportunity to study with dignity, the trajectory of a family changes, a community’s potential rises, and a nation moves forward,” he remarks.
What distinguishes Shri Jain’s journey is his ability to integrate enterprise, education, and ethics. The revenues generated from his thriving businesses are reinvested into philanthropic and educational causes, creating a virtuous cycle of development. His ventures are not just profit-generating entities but also instruments of social progress. Even as he modernizes rice milling operations and adopts innovative technologies in construction, he applies the same progressive vision to education — championing digital classrooms, skill-based learning, and exposure programs to prepare students for a dynamic future.
Underpinning all his efforts is a deep spiritual foundation. A Patron Member and National Trustee of the Terapanth Professional Forum, Vice-President of TPF (Terapanth Professional Forum) East Zone-2, a former President of Terapanth Swetambar Jain Sabha Belpada, and the first President of Gurukul Saptarishi Seva Ashram Dhumabhata, Shri Jain exemplifies a rare blend of business acumen and moral purpose. His leadership in Gau Seva through Golok Mahateerth and his service to multiple community organizations reflect a life dedicated to both material progress and spiritual fulfilment.
Today, Shri Sankar Prasad Jain envisions an Odisha where every child has access to quality education, every farmer benefits from modern agricultural practices, and every aspiring entrepreneur finds an ecosystem that enables growth. “As an entrepreneur, my first goal was to build a strong foundation for my family,” he reflects. “As an edupreneur, my mission is to build a strong foundation for society. Education is the legacy I want to leave behind.”
In a world where business achievements are often celebrated in terms of profit, Shri Jain’s story stands as a testament to a higher ideal — that true success lies in the lives uplifted, the opportunities created, and the future generations empowered.
