THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

MUMBAI, MARCH 13, 2026

ALLEN Online has launched Rise to the Top, a unique student conversation series that brings forward the inspiring journeys of young achievers from across India through candid and meaningful exchanges with MS Dhoni. The first episode of the multi-episode series is now live on the ALLEN Online YouTube channel.

At its core, the series focuses on students — their ambitions, doubts, family support systems, and the defining moments that shape their journeys. Rather than revisiting study hours or exam scorecards, the conversations delve into the human stories behind academic success. Dhoni leads the dialogue with empathy and perspective drawn from his own experiences of expectations and pressure, while allowing the students’ voices and stories to take centre stage. Through the conversations, he shares insights from his own journey of handling pressure and navigating expectations.

The opening episode, Sapne Dekho, features Sekh Galib Raza from rural Odisha and Arpita Ghosh from a remote village in West Bengal, both of whom are now studying in government medical colleges after overcoming significant challenges.

For Arpita, the journey begins within her family. Growing up in a village where only a handful of girls pursue higher education, she carries not only her own aspirations but also her father’s long-cherished dream of seeing his daughter become a doctor. With the unwavering encouragement of her family, she has pursued her studies with the aim of returning one day as the first doctor from her village.

Galib’s dream of becoming a doctor took shape during childhood visits to a local hospital with his mother, where he closely observed how doctors comforted anxious families and offered hope during difficult times. Despite facing personal health challenges and multiple attempts to achieve his goal, he remained steadfast and eventually secured admission to a government medical college.

The series reinforces a powerful message: aspiration is not defined by geography. Across India, compelling stories of determination are emerging from small towns and villages, shaped as much by character, resilience, and conviction as by academic excellence.

Rakesh Ranjan, Chief Executive Officer, ALLEN Online, said, “Students are often recognised only for their outcomes, while the journeys that shape them remain unheard. Rise to the Top was designed to bring those human stories forward. Having MS Dhoni lead these conversations brings a dimension of lived experience around handling pressure and expectation, which deepens the dialogue while keeping the focus firmly on the students.”

For decades, the ALLEN ecosystem has worked closely with students and families navigating demanding academic pathways. With Rise to the Top, this student-first approach now extends into a storytelling format that celebrates ambition, honesty, resilience, and growth, while highlighting the real-life journeys behind academic success.