Sanjay Gupta is managing director of the Delhi-based EnglishHelper Technologies Pvt. Ltd (EHT, estb. 2009) — a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Boston-based EnglishHelper Inc — which offers unique technology-driven English language learning solutions using its proprietory ReadToMe (RTM) software, to 10,000 clients including corporates, education institutions and individual learners countrywide.
Newspeg. Later this month, EHT will launch its parent company’s Writing Assistant (WA) software program in India. Developed by experts in the field of artificial intelligence and comput-ational linguistics, WA is a language assessment tool which allows writers to analyse their writing against a reference standard. It uses specially designed algorithms to catch common errors in writing and improves written English, going beyond error detection to suggest stylistic improvements.
Unique selling proposition. According to Gupta, sophisticated technology with content developed by English language and artificial intelligence experts differentiates EHT learning solutions. “The basic progression for learning English — or any language — is to listen, speak, read and write. Our RTM and WA programs are designed to enhance these skills. For instance, RTM has various features such as patented dual highlighting which tracks each sentence/paragraph as it is read. It also offers one-click access to word meanings/synonyms and personalised instruction backed by sticky notes, voice notes, inserted bubble notes, multiple choice and other test questions. Our RTM solution in its basic form is available to school students at a mere Rs.1 per day. Moreover it can be customised to suit the needs of trainers as well as learners,” says Gupta, a commerce graduate of St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata and chartered and management accountant.
History. Also the global CEO of EnglishHelper Inc, Gupta gave up his “big corporation career” of almost three decades during which he served as chief financial officer of PepsiCo’s western India operations (1993-1996), global head of financial operations at American Express, USA (1996-2007) and senior vice president, American Express India (2007-2010). In 2011 he switched tracks and signed up with EnglishHelper Inc, accepting the challenge to plant the company’s flag in India.
“My interaction with people across all strata in India made me aware that the quality of English learning is poor due to a serious lack of good teachers. Moreover since English is not the first language of most people, the envir-onment too, does not favour English learning. EHT has been promoted by Dr. Venkat Srinivasan, a Boston-based entrepreneur whose company Rage Frameworks provides technology support to EHT. I found the combination of cutting edge technology and Dr. Srinivasan’s passion for socially impactful entrepreneurship an extremely powerful allure,” says Gupta, who is also on the advisory board of New York-based Acumen Fund — a not-for-profit venture capital fund which invests in enterprises in India, Pakistan and East Africa, to deliver affordable goods and services — healthcare, water, housing and energy — through innovative, market-oriented initiatives.
Future plans. Since EnglishHelper, RTM and WA solutions have been launched recently, Gupta’s full focus is on marketing these new age technology solutions to take the pain out of learning English. “Nevertheless you can expect the gradual roll out of all EnglishHelper products and learning solutions in the future. We are here to stay,” promises Gupta.
This is good news for hundreds of millions of citizens and students learning the world’s language of business the hard way.
Swati Roy (Delhi)