New Delhi, August 27, 2025 : It was an evening of awards and honors. An evening of applause and accolades. The Hyatt Regency, New Delhi, resonated with celebration as the ET Leadership Excellence Awards – North 2025 unfolded in grandeur, bringing together luminaries and leaders from diverse sectors.
The highlight of the evening was the presence of acclaimed actor Anupam Kher, who graced the ceremony as the Chief Guest. Kher, known for his unmatched charisma and humility, charmed the audience with his signature style, receiving a standing ovation the moment he took the stage. As he began presenting awards, every winner cherished the opportunity of receiving recognition from the veteran actor, with each moment captured in flashes of applause and cameras.
Among the distinguished awardees was Rajesh Sharma, IFS (2000 Batch, Himachal Cadre) and State Project Director, Samagra Shiksha, who received the ET Leadership Excellence Award 2025 in the category of Excellence in Innovation in Education. He was accompanied on stage by his daughter, making the moment all the more memorable.
Sharma is widely regarded as a reformist administrator who has reshaped the education landscape of Himachal Pradesh in a short span of time. Since assuming charge in February 2023, he has combined vision with meticulous execution, leading the state to leap from 21st position to the top five nationally in the National Achievement Survey (NAS). Under his leadership, Himachal Pradesh has achieved near-universal enrolment, recorded the country’s lowest dropout rates in government schools, and established institutional systems capable of sustaining long-term success.
Speaking on the recognition, Sharma expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for entrusting him with the responsibility of Samagra Shiksha, and thanked Education Minister Rohit Thakur for his constant guidance. He also acknowledged the encouragement of Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Government of India, and the unwavering support of Rakesh Kanwar, Secretary Education, Himachal Pradesh, while dedicating the award to the teachers, students, and his team at Samagra Shiksha.
The award comes at a time when Sharma has been instrumental in advancing the edskExpress Project – a pioneering initiative launched on August 8, 2025 by Chief Minister Sukhu in the presence of senior education officials. The platform provides children, especially from rural and remote areas, the opportunity to write and publish their stories, read student-centric content, and participate in interactive mentorship sessions with experts, thereby democratizing access to expression and learning.
Himachal Pradesh, under Sharma’s stewardship, has also successfully ensured 100% utilization of funds under national schemes like Samagra Shiksha, PM Shri, and STARS. The state has forged international collaborations with institutions such as UNESCO, University of Cambridge, and Singapore’s Principals’ Academy, while also engaging IITs and IIMs for large-scale teacher training programs, efforts that are steadily transforming the education ecosystem.
Prior to his current role, Sharma held several key positions, including Regional Passport Officer, Managing Director of Himachal Pradesh Skill Mission, Chief Conservator of Forests, and Director of Youth Services & Sports.
A reformist at work and a simple person at heart, Sharma believes that “education, rendered in the best possible way, is the foundation of future generations’ success.”
