Analjit Singh redux: Is education the next stop?

This January, addressing the media at his spacious office-cum-residence in Lutyen Delhi's APJ Abdul Kalam Road (till recently Aurangzeb Road), Max Group promoter Analjit Singh perhaps gave a sneak peek of his ambitions in the life insurance business. The occasion was to announce the completion of the three-way demerger of the group. Discussing the future plan of the life insurance business, Singh was categorical: "We are open to be part of a bigger group. Not as financial investors, but strategic partners."

Five months down the line, he has done exactly what he said he would do.

In an interview with Business Standard last year, Rahul Khosla, president of Max Group, too, had reiterated the same sentiments: "We don't mind being a smaller part of a larger pie, than being a very large part of a small pie."

As to what next is high on the agenda for the 62-year-old Singh, he has preferred to keep close to his chest. But he has not shied away from picking up the entrepreneurial gauntlet again after 30 years. "We could look at new business opportunities - that is how we started in 1985," Singh had said in the freewheeling chat with the media in January. Over the past few years, Singh has shown interest in the education business. He is already associated with International School of Business's Mohali campus, and has been more involved with governance rather than ownership. He has been the chairman of the Board of Governors of The Doon School and IIT-Roorkee.

Singh readily concedes his interest in the education space: "It is close to my heart." But is quick to add his plans are yet to firm up. But one can't miss the passion in his eyes and words when he starts discussing the potential in the education business.

"If I had to take the decision today on education I would go for the schools. I am very disenchanted with the quality of school education being given to the children," he once told Business Standard. He becomes guarded when queried further on his plans for the education sector. "Whatever we do, it will always be to offer affordable solutions to the middle class," he said then.

As to the timeline of his new foray, he had indicated that it would be sometime six months after the de-merger process was completed. One may hear from this indefatigable entrepreneur soon.