Vandana Kumar Gandhi became the first ever Indian woman entrepreneur to receive the Dubai Government’s coveted and prestigious ‘Emirates Women Award 2013 ‘ (EWA) for ‘Business Excellence ‘.

The award was presented at a glittering gala ceremony held on May 26th, 2013 at The Palace Hotel in Downtown Dubai. Gracing the occasion was Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman & Chief Executive of the Emirates Airline and Group and honorary Patron of Dubai Quality Group (DQG).

The ‘Emirates Women Award’ is an initiative of Dubai Quality Group (DQG) to encourage women, both UAE nationals and residents to be actively involved in social and economic development initiatives in the country.

The India born entrepreneur Vandana Gandhi was the “Overall Winner in the Business Category” for excelling and providing innovation in preschool education . The award selection was made from among several hundred entries by a jury based on various criteria like leadership, strategy, community services and innovation.

Vandana Gandhi is the  Founder & CEO of British Orchard Nursery – the Middle East’s only ISO-certified Nursery chain, with 10 branches across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and including Government franchises. She conceived and introduced ‘GymJuniorz’ – a first of its kind children’s gym & fitness center into the curriculum.

Vandana Gandhi is a versatile personality with varied interests in calligraphy, yoga, scriptural studies, squash, table tennis etc. A Masters in Education with distinction, she is pursuing a Doctor of Education from the University of Birmingham, UK. After initial schooling in Dubai, she completed her Bachelors from Mithibai College, Mumbai and followed up with her Post Graduate Diploma in International Business Adminstration from NMIMS University, Mumbai.