Son of the Soil & Educator Alakh Pandey Conferred UP Gaurav Samman by the Govt of UP on UP Diwas

The Government of Uttar Pradesh today honoured Alakh Pandey, Teacher and Founder of PhysicsWallah (PW), with the prestigious UP Gaurav Samman, recognising his entrepreneurial spirit and service to the state. Known as ‘Alakh Sir’ among students, he was recognised for his extraordinary journey from the bylanes of Prayagraj to leading one of India’s publicly listed education companies, his commitment to social welfare and nation-building. The award was presented by the Honourable Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, as part of the state’s grand celebrations to mark UP Diwas.

Born and raised in Prayagraj, Alakh Sir faced financial hardship with his family selling part of their home to make ends meet. Over the years, he transformed this personal adversity into a national mission for accessible, affordable, and quality education. What began with a solitary whiteboard and a camera in a small room in Prayagraj has now evolved into a company listed on the Indian stock exchanges. This transition from a neighbourhood teacher to the leader of a public corporation stands as a testament to the untapped potential of India's Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, inspiring millions to dream beyond their circumstances.

While leading a major public corporation, Alakh Sir has remained steadfastly connected to his roots in Uttar Pradesh through philanthropic work. He has personally supported the renovation and modernisation of many schools across the state, aiming to ensure that students in remote corners have access to modern tech-led learning environments. He has given scholarships to numerous students from humble backgrounds who cleared exams like JEE and NEET. Through these grassroots initiatives, he has tried to  provide scholarships and digital infrastructure to underprivileged students, in an attempt to bridge the digital divide and give back to the community that shaped his early years.

Alakh Sir remarked, "Receiving the UP Gaurav Samman on the occasion of UP Diwas is not just a personal achievement, but a recognition of every student in Uttar Pradesh who dares to dream. I am a product of this soil and my aim is to ensure that no child in India, whether in a village in UP or a small town on the borders of the country, is deprived of quality education due to a lack of money. I am grateful to Honourable Home Minister Amit Shah ji, Honourable Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ji, and the Government of Uttar Pradesh for this honour. I accept it on behalf of all the teachers of this state and country who believe in contributing to nation building through the transformative power of education.”

Under Alakh Sir’s leadership, PW has institutionalised support for the nation's protectors by partnering with CRPF, BSF, and SSB. Through these initiatives, PW provides free quality education to the children of martyrs who laid down their lives for the nation. Scholarships and fee waivers have also been extended to the wards of serving and retired personnel, ensuring that the families of India's bravehearts receive the academic resources they need.