John Hoffmire: Shantanu, you started your career in the corporate world with prestigious organizations like Wipro, Mercedes-Benz, and Intergraph. What inspired you to leave this comfortable path and transition into the social sector and political analysis?

Shantanu Gupta: While my corporate career was rewarding, I always felt a deeper calling to contribute to society in a more impactful way. The turning point was when I started working with the Naandi Foundation, leading large-scale remedial education interventions in underserved areas of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and New Delhi. Later, working with UNICEF in Bundelkhand exposed me to the ground realities of rural India. These experiences made me realize the urgent need for policy-driven change and effective governance. Writing and working in the social sector became my way to drive that change.

John: You are the founder of The Ramayana School, which aims to contextualize the epic’s life lessons for today’s world. How do you see the Ramayana’s teachings resonating with contemporary youth and society?

Shantanu: The Ramayana is a timeless epic filled with profound life lessons. At The Ramayana School, we focus on extracting these lessons and showing how they can be applied to modern challenges, whether it’s leadership, ethics, or relationships. For instance, Lord Rama’s adherence to duty, even in adversity, is a powerful message for today’s youth, navigating a world of distractions. By presenting these teachings in interactive workshops and storytelling formats, we aim to inspire young minds to adopt values that can help them lead purposeful lives.

John: Your biographies of Yogi Adityanath, including The Monk Who Became Chief Minister and its sequel, have resonated with a wide audience. What were some of the most fascinating aspects of his leadership journey that you discovered during your research?

Shantanu:  Yogi Adityanath’s journey is one of resilience and conviction. From his early years as a monk to becoming the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, he has consistently demonstrated a strong sense of purpose. What struck me most was his ability to combine spirituality with governance. His policies are rooted in a commitment to uplift the common man while maintaining discipline and accountability. Documenting how he transformed Uttar Pradesh—bringing in infrastructure projects, investment, and law-and-order reforms—was both challenging and inspiring. His journey reflects the power of vision-driven leadership.

John: With initiatives like your book 101 Reasons Why I Will Vote for Modi and a graphic novel on Yogi Adityanath, you’ve made political communication accessible to first-time voters. What role does storytelling play in shaping political awareness among young Indians?

Shantanu: Storytelling is a powerful medium to connect with young people. Politics can often feel inaccessible or dull to them, but when you present it through stories—like a graphic novel or relatable anecdotes—it becomes engaging and relatable. Through 101 Reasons Why I Will Vote for Modi, I wanted to highlight achievements and policies in a way that resonates with first-time voters. These initiatives aim to show young Indians how governance impacts their lives and encourage them to participate actively in shaping the country’s future.

John: As an author of ten books, a TEDx speaker, and a communication advisor to Baba Ramdev, how do you balance your diverse roles while staying committed to your overarching vision?

Shantanu: Balance comes from clarity of purpose. Whether it’s writing, speaking, or advising, my goal is to inspire and inform. I maintain a disciplined schedule and make sure to focus on tasks that align with my larger vision of contributing to society. Each role feeds into the other—my writing informs my public speaking, my research for books shapes my advisory work, and so on. Ultimately, my family and two children are my greatest grounding force—they remind me of what truly matters and keep me inspired.

John:  You were somewhat recently awarded a Chevening Gurukul Fellowship at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom.  Please tell me what that experience was like for you and what kind of impact is has had on your work and world view.

Shantanu: Three months at Oxford University for the Gurukul Chevening fellowship in 2023 gave me the time to pause, reflect and go back to the classroom after a long time. During my stay in the UK, I also did my book tours during the weekends hosted by NRIs – which ranged from an event at the Indian embassy in London to a grand House of Lords event at the British Parliament. I didn’t miss my TV debates as every class room session in a heavily left of center leaning Oxford University invoked a debate with the faculty, where I countered with facts from the conservative world.

John: Of all the interviews, this is the one I was most surprised by. I knew you were politically active. But I had no idea that you had gone about your work in such creative ways. I wish you the very best. And please keep up your quest to have first-time voters feel a connection to the political process.

Shantanu Gupta is an Indian author, political analyst, and founder of The Ramayana School

John Hoffmire is a Research Associate at the Oxford Centre for Mutual and Co-owned Business