Vision, dedication and luck - three words that encapsulate the success of the Rao Group. As with most enterprises, it all started with nothing more than a vision - to help students extend their academic horizons beyond home shores. Fuelling the vision was dedication. As Group CEO Urmila Rao says, 'Hard work and perseverance are the answers to any obstacle; anything can be achieved through these two attributes.'

Of course, there was a little bit of luck. The Group considers itself fortunate that they started operations in a state, which sends possibly the country's highest number of students abroad every year.

Coming from a humble background, Urmila Rao had to struggle to get a higher education. Little wonder then that she dedicated herself to the field of education. She considers herself fortunate to have worked at L. D. Institute of Indology, where scholars from many countries come to pursue doctoral and post-doctoral research. The opportunity to work with award-winning scholars only made firmer her resolve to continue promoting education.

It was at this institute that Mrs. Rao saw from close quarters the problems scholars and young students faced in going abroad for higher studies and exploring better work environment. At this juncture, she made a decision that was to change her life - and the lives of many others. She decided to assist students in realising their dream and make their going abroad easier. She shared her idea with her family. Her England-educated son, Amit Rao took to the idea with great enthusiasm. That was in 2004 and the rest, with a little twist to the proverb, could be said as “history in the making.”

Initial efforts began at an office set up at the Rao's residence. Singular dedication and hard work put in by the Raos propelled the fledgling enterprise to take on a life of its own. Today, the Group has a swanky and large corporate office in Gujarat state's main commercial hub - Ahmedabad, presence in all the continents and clientele of more than 30,000.

The wonder of it all is that all linkages across the globe have been forged by making presentations over internet. The result of all such efforts is that the Group is on a fast-track growth. As Mrs. Rao puts it, 'When we started, my goal was to bring the world of foreign education within the reach of students in Gujarat. Our success has been beyond imagination. Today, we represent major foreign educational institutions as also countries beyond the normal ambit of other consultants. We also have the maximum foreign education and visa-related services under one roof.'