Abhay Bhutada’s Journey of Growth and the Power of Practical Education
- Parag Shetty
- Apr 17
- 4 min read
Updated: May 11
Abhay Bhutada has become one of the most well-known business figures in India in recent years. In the financial year 2023–24, he was recognised as the country’s highest-paid executive with a total compensation package of ₹241.21 crore. His overall net worth now crosses ₹1,000 crore. But more than these figures, it is his consistency, grounded nature, and willingness to give back that make his story one worth exploring. His efforts through the Abhay Bhutada Foundation show that he believes success is more meaningful when shared with others.
Roots in Maharashtra’s Heartland
Abhay Bhutada was born and raised in Latur, a city in Maharashtra. Growing up in a business family, he was familiar with the functioning of enterprises from a young age. His decision to pursue Chartered Accountancy was a turning point that set him on a professional journey filled with purpose. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, he joined the Bank of India in 2010, where he worked in the SME finance division.
During this early stage of his career, he observed the challenges that small businesses faced in accessing capital and navigating financial systems. This gave him an understanding of the problems people faced on the ground, far beyond what textbooks or classroom theory could offer. He realised the importance of not just financial support, but also planning and education in building sustainable business models.
Clear Thinking, Long-Term Action
Abhay Bhutada has worked in various segments within financial services over the last 15 years. His steady rise in the industry was based on logic, careful decisions, and a focus on results. Instead of short-term goals, he concentrated on projects and roles that allowed him to work on real improvements—whether that was improving operational systems or developing new business strategies.
He has been involved in building ideas that go beyond finance, always tying his decisions to long-term impact. His reputation today is built on his ability to stay practical while working at high levels of leadership. Abhay Bhutada, a member of the Poonawalla Group, has shown that business success is most effective when it’s built on clarity, trust, and consistent action.
From Earnings to Impact
While many people know of Abhay Bhutada because of his compensation or position in the corporate space, his work outside the office is equally significant. In 2023, he founded the Abhay Bhutada Foundation, which is dedicated to helping school students learn through hands-on experiences. The foundation’s central goal is to improve the way children understand science and mathematics by turning these subjects into something tangible.
The ‘LearnByDoing’ program, created in collaboration with Sakar Eduskills, is the main project run by the foundation. Under this program, STEM kits are provided to schools in Pune. These kits include microscopes, periscopes, and tools that allow children to engage in real-time experiments and projects. The result is a classroom experience that’s not only educational but also interactive and exciting.
Results That Can Be Measured
Since its launch, the Abhay Bhutada Foundation has distributed STEM kits to over 2,000 students in 8 different schools. Teachers have reported that students are showing more interest in subjects like science and math. The presence of real tools in the classroom has made it easier for children to grasp concepts that might have otherwise seemed confusing or abstract.
The kits have also helped teachers bring variety into their lessons. Instead of following a rigid blackboard method, teachers can now allow students to explore ideas using real equipment. This shift in teaching style creates a more collaborative learning environment, which improves student participation and retention.
Why Practical Education Matters?
In many schools across India, especially in less privileged areas, education often relies on memorisation. Students are taught to focus on exams and marks rather than on actual understanding. The Abhay Bhutada Foundation is working to change this mindset. By introducing hands-on learning methods, it allows children to experiment and learn at their own pace. This not only boosts curiosity but also helps build long-term problem-solving skills.
What’s important about this approach is that it prepares students for the real world. When children see how science works in practice, they are more likely to remain interested in the subject. It opens doors for future learning and inspires many to consider careers in science, technology, and engineering—fields that are vital for the future of the country.
A Broader Vision
Abhay Bhutada’s personal growth and success have not made him detached from the challenges faced by others. His foundation is proof that with the right resources, real change can be created. Instead of limiting his work to corporate boundaries, he has made education an essential part of his journey. He understands that if India is to progress, young people must be given better tools and systems that encourage learning from experience.
He also ensures that the foundation’s efforts are sustainable and structured. Rather than one-time events or publicity-based charity, the focus remains on consistent support. The kits are monitored, feedback is taken from teachers, and schools are selected based on real need.
Conclusion
Abhay Bhutada has proven that ambition and compassion can exist side by side. With a successful career and recognition as India’s top-earning executive in 2023–24, he could have chosen to remain within the corporate world. Instead, he took a step further to contribute meaningfully to education. Through the Abhay Bhutada Foundation and programs like ‘LearnByDoing,’ he is showing that every child deserves access to quality, practical education. His story is not just about success—it is about using that success to create a better future for the next generation.
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