Education & Academia

Ar. Shivani Agrawal, a Managing Director, Transforming Campuses Into Powerful Catalysts for India’s Growth and Development

Managing Director, The Sage Groupbhopal

With vision, values, and unwavering belief, you can build not just institutions—but a better nation.
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With vision, values, and unwavering belief, you can build not just institutions—but a better nation.
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Ar. Shivani Agrawal leads a diverse enterprise committed to nation-building through forays into education, healthcare, real estate, and energy. Inspired by her father’s legacy, she blends innovation with compassion to drive impactful growth.

Ar. Shivani Agrawal is the Managing Director of the SAGE Group, a dynamic and diversified conglomerate based in Bhopal, committed to nation-building.

Reflecting on the organization’s core philosophy, Ar. Shivani says,

“If it’s SAGE, it’s possible. First, fastest, purest — that’s what we believe defines our SAGE Group.”

The SAGE Group is continuing to expand into sectors that cater to the fundamental needs of people—quality housing, accessible education, reliable healthcare, and even hospitality—ensuring individuals not only live better lives but also thrive in enriched environments.

The legacy began four decades ago with her father, Er. Sanjeev Agrawal, and today, Ar. Shivani carries forward the vision with purpose and pride. Through the ‘True SAGE Foundation’, the group actively supports underprivileged students by providing them with access to education, skill development, and healthcare services.

Ar. Shivani Agrawal says their mission goes beyond business. It's about creating meaningful impact and driving social transformation. As Agrawal passionately puts it, “We believe that if the country grows, we grow.” Her stewardship reflects a blend of compassion, innovation, and commitment to building a better tomorrow for all.

The SAGE Group began its remarkable foray in real estate nearly four decades ago, initiated by Er. Sanjeev Agrawal, who started with a single house. From modest beginnings in contract work, he gradually transitioned into constructing row-houses, then entire colonies, and eventually large-scale apartment complexes. With time, the group expanded into plotting and ventured into commercial real estate, eventually becoming one of the leading real estate promoters and builders in Central India.

Today, the SAGE Group owns extensive lands across the region and has proudly delivered dream homes and workspaces to over 14,000 happy families. Their contribution to infrastructure has significantly shaped the landscape of Central India.

In 2003, the Group ventured into education with the establishment of its first engineering college—driven by Mr. Agrawal’s deep belief in the power of quality education for the youth. He firmly believed that a skilled and educated young population is the true foundation for a strong and progressive nation. From one institute, the saga grew to include MBA and Pharmacy colleges, and eventually schools under the SAGE International School brand, offering education from Nursery to Grade 12.

Continuing the legacy, the group established SAGE University, Indore, followed by SAGE University, Bhopal in 2020. Taking innovation forward, they recently launched SAGEx, an advanced online learning platform offering online degrees, diploma programs, certificate courses, and more. Their belief is clear: Distance, age, or background should never be a barrier to learning—only the hunger to grow matters.

Expanding further, the group ventured into the energy sector with Agrawal Power Private Limited, initially focused on laying electrical lines. Today, they operate across five states in India, handling railway projects, substation installations, and are now exploring renewable energy solutions, contributing to sustainable development.

In the hospitality sector, the group is bringing a significant addition to Bhopal with a 230-room Hilton Hotel—a testament to their commitment to elevating the city’s lifestyle and hospitality standards.

Recognizing health as the foundation of a fulfilling life, the SAGE Group launched the Apollo SAGE Hospital two years ago in collaboration with Apollo Hospitals, one of the world’s leading healthcare providers. This state-of-the-art multi-specialty facility boasts over 350 beds and top-tier medical professionals from Apollo, delivering high-quality healthcare to the people of Bhopal.  Ar. Shivani Agrawal considers this hospital a heartfelt gift and a symbol of gratitude towards the community.

Under the visionary leadership of Er. Sanjeev Agrawal, the SAGE Group continues to evolve as a multidimensional enterprise deeply rooted in impact-driven growth—from education and infrastructure to energy, healthcare, and hospitality—transforming lives and contributing to national progress.

Speaking about her inspirations, Entrepreneur Shivani Agrawal recalls how she and her sister grew up witnessing their father, Er. Sanjeev Agrawal, dedicating his entire life—his time, efforts, and finances—to building the SAGE Group from the ground up. What left a lasting impact on them was not just his hard work, but the deep sense of satisfaction that lit up his face whenever people appreciated and thanked him for the work he did.

She shares, “That look of fulfillment taught us something profound—that living just for oneself isn’t enough. Even animals live for themselves. But as human beings, we are meant to do something greater—something that makes a difference in others’ lives.”

With that thought deeply ingrained in their hearts and minds, both the sisters resolved to carry forward their father’s legacy—not just to sustain it, but to scale it to greater heights. Today, their vision has translated into reality with students from all 28 states of India and even from international locations studying at SAGE University. Ar. Shivani takes immense pride in the fact that they are not only delivering world-class education but also imparting the rich Indian value system to students across the globe.

Backed by the strength of a 3,000+ member team and the trust of over five lakh people connected with the SAGE Group, entrepreneur Shivani Agrawal considers it her moral and professional responsibility to live up to their expectations. Fully committed to this purpose, she has consciously prepared herself for the leadership role she holds today. With heartfelt dedication and a sense of gratitude, she continues to strive to give back to society in the purest, most meaningful way possible.

Sharing about her early life, Ar. Shivani Agrawal reveals that she was born and brought up in Bhopal, where she also completed her schooling. She pursued her undergraduate degree in Architecture from the Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal, and later went on to do her post-graduation in Management from UCLA, USA. Reflecting on her academic pursuits, Agrawal emphasizes the crucial role education plays in shaping one’s thinking, perspective, and abilities.

SAGE Group Managing Director Agrawal shares that although she actively applies her architectural skills while working alongside a team of 15 architects at the SAGE Group, a major part of her role also involves managing people, projects, and finances. According to her, this is where her educational foundation has played a vital role in developing her mindset and managerial abilities. She firmly believes that education makes one more visionary and creative, especially in fields like architecture, and that quality education also brings with it valuable networks, connections, and opportunities that reveal their worth over time.

Visionary Business Leader Shivani Agrawal recalls that she started coming to their business office in her second year of college itself. Her daily schedule included attending classes from 9 AM to 5 PM, followed by working in the office from 5 PM to 8 PM. Whatever she learned during the day in college, she would immediately apply at work. She was constantly learning—whether from her teachers and seniors at MANIT or from the architect team and site experiences at the SAGE Group. This hands-on exposure taught her how academic knowledge is translated into real-world implementation.

She strongly believes in conceptual understanding and practical application, rather than rote memorization. “True learning,” she says, “comes from understanding the principles and applying them in real life—only then does it benefit you and those around you.”

Ar. Shivani feels immensely privileged and grateful to have her father not only as a parent but also as a mentor and guide. She credits him for the support and values he instilled in her, which today empower her to handle any situation with strength and clarity.

When talking about her role models, Architect Shivani Agarwal shares that her biggest inspiration is her father. She has witnessed his unwavering dedication and hard work since childhood and believes she has never met anyone more industrious, visionary, spontaneous, and cheerful than him. Regardless of the challenges he faced, she has never seen him sad, stressed, or disheartened.

My father built this company from the ground up," she says with pride. "Today, no matter how big the company has grown, she has always seen him maintain a positive outlook. He never succumbs to negativity. He is the most joyful person she knows."

According to Ar. Shivani, this approach to life is all about one’s state of mind — how we choose to interpret situations and the kind of messages we give ourselves. One of the greatest lessons she has learned from her father is how to remain content and joyful in any circumstance. He truly embodies the concept of ‘Sat-Chit-Anand’ — a state of being where one experiences bliss rooted in truth and consciousness.

Besides her father, Changemaker Shivani also draws inspiration from several other individuals. She deeply admires Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom she considers the best brand manager. She is fascinated by how he presents himself, communicates ideas, and influences people on a global stage.

Since he came to power, India has gained a remarkable reputation worldwide, she notes. There’s a spark on his face, a sense of vigour and patriotism that she deeply admires. She aspires to embody that same level of patriotism in her own life.

SAGE MD Shivani Agrawal also looks up to influential women like Indra Nooyi and Sudha Murthy — women who have dedicated their lives to creating meaningful change in society. Their commitment to service and impact continues to inspire her career as well.

Ar. Shivani Agarwal often recalls the wisdom imparted by her father and spiritual guide Baba Shivanand. They both emphasize that there are three fundamental principles essential for every human being to live a meaningful and peaceful life.

The first is unconditional love. Ar. Shivani believes that no matter how transactional or complicated a relationship may seem, if one chooses to love unconditionally, they will truly understand the essence of real love. "Try loving someone without expectations," her father would say, "and you will experience the depth of what true love means."

The second principle is to forgive others. Regardless of what someone may have done, forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. "If you don’t forgive," she explains, "even if the fault lies with the other person, you end up carrying the burden. The pain becomes yours."

The third, and perhaps most profound, is to forgive yourself. According to MD Shivani, self-forgiveness is vital because holding onto guilt or regret only leads to emotional resentment, which robs a person of peace. "We are human," she says, "and we are here on this earth to experience the supreme bliss that even the divine feels."

She strongly believes that the divine exists within every individual, and for that reason, we must respect ourselves deeply and make a conscious decision to live in happiness. "Choosing joy," she says, "is a way of honoring the divine within us."

On behalf of the SAGE Group, Ar. Shivani Agarwal urges everyone to prioritize skill development and continuous self-upgradation in life. She believes that the more individuals work on improving themselves, the more they are able to uplift those around them — whether it’s through enhancing their living standards, refining their personality, or improving their environment.

Always work towards your own growth, she says, because true progress lies in uplifting not just yourself, but also the people around you.

The SAGE Group is committed to supporting individuals in this journey of personal and professional development. To know more about the group, or to reach out, she encourages everyone to visit the group’s official website, or explore the individual websites of its various verticals. The SAGE Group is also active on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and other social media channels.

Their core motto, she emphasizes, is “Bringing happiness to society” — and that begins with your own joy and growth, emphasizes Ar. Shivani Agrawal.

Made with love in bharat2

Get Inspired by MD Ar. Shivani Agrawal | Carrying the SAGE Group Forward

Discover how Ar. Shivani Agrawal, Managing Director of the SAGE Group, is driving nation-building through education, healthcare, and innovation, inspired by her father's legacy.