Shikshagraha Awards 2026: Call for Nominations to Honour Education Leaders
These prestigious awards are part of the Shikshagraha movement, a nationwide initiative dedicated to improving one million public schools by 2030. Anchored in the belief that leadership lies beyond formal titles, the awards recognise those who tirelessly champion the cause of equitable access to education from within and beyond the classroom.
Last year's winners embody this spirit. In Tamil Nadu, Xavier Chandra Kumar, a government school headmaster, revitalised a neglected school by introducing counselling, medical camps, and inclusive practices that bridged caste divides. In Bihar, Ranjan Kumar raised school enrolment by 169% through community partnerships and bold learning initiatives. Rajitha N, a supervisor from Karnataka, improved early childhood education across tribal belts, building trust in areas where public systems struggled. And in Bhopal, 17-year-old Muskan Ahirwar earned a special mention for running a public library that now serves 100 children daily, an initiative she began at the age of nine.
The Shikshagraha Awards are more than recognition; they amplify stories, inspire action, and build a collective movement for education equity. They aim to reflect the diverse leadership driving the education equity movement by encompassing two broad domains: • Leaders within the Formal Education System: Educators, school leaders, government officials, or institutional actors working within established structures, such as schools, education departments, or academic support bodies, who are creating systemic change from within.
• Leaders outside the Formal Education System (Community): Grassroots changemakers, including community organisers, parents, volunteers, or local champions, who are working directly in underserved contexts to expand access, inclusion, and quality in education.
Awardees will receive a financial prize of INR 10 lakh (disbursed over two years), a trophy, a certificate of excellence, and visibility on platforms like InvokED, a global dialogue on education leadership where the awards will be presented on February 6, 2026.
'If last year's nominations were anything to go by, the Shikshagraha Awards are inspirational in more ways than one. They spotlight the quiet courage, relentless commitment, and everyday innovation that fuel our nation's classrooms. With this second edition, we aim to reach deeper into the corners of India. Our goal is to discover and celebrate those unsung champions who dedicate themselves to education equity, often without recognition. Their stories deserve to be seen, heard, and honoured,' said Mr. SD Shibulal, Co-Founder, The Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives (SFPI) and Co-Founder and Former CEO, Infosys.
The nomination process is rigorous, evaluating candidates on continuous improvement, collaboration, innovation, equity-driven actions, and real-world impact. Anyone—students, colleagues, or community members—can nominate a changemaker. Self-nominations are not accepted.
'Evaluating nominations for the Shikshagraha Awards is hugely humbling and inspiring. We look for individuals who are not only deeply committed to making education inclusive but are also innovating, collaborating, and improving constantly, even in tough circumstances. It's not grand gestures, but small, significant steps that create meaningful change. Each story we read reflects ownership and caring on the ground, and teaches us that individuals and communities investing energy and imagination is a key to a better future for children in India,' Dr. Subramanian Rangan, Professor of Strategy & Management, INSEAD; Member, Board of Advisors, ShikshaLokam, and Jury Chair, Shikshagraha Awards.
Forms are available in English, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam at shikshagraha.org/awards. Nominations close on August 15, 2025.
About Shikshagraha Shikshagraha is a people's movement aiming to improve 1 million public schools in India by 2030, ensuring every child has access to quality education and the opportunity to dream and succeed. The movement brings together diverse stakeholders—government, civil society, markets and media, to collaboratively address the challenges in the public education system through a micro-improvement approach. By working alongside local actors, fostering collective action, and employing data-driven strategies, Shikshagraha aims to create an inclusive learning environment where every student, regardless of background, gender, or abilities, can thrive in the 21st century. Shikshagraha is being co-built by Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiative with Mantra4Change as an anchoring implementation partner.
(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Newsvoir and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Burhidehing threatens lives & livelihood in two Dibrugarh villages, swallows farmland
Dibrugarh: Massive erosion by the Burhidehing river has wreaked havoc over the past one month, swallowing vast stretches of farmland and inching dangerously close to residential areas in Panimiri and Jhanjimukh villages at Khowang in Dibrugarh district. The relentless erosion, spanning approximately 3 km along the riverbank, has left the Mising community villagers in distress as their livelihoods and homes face an existential threat. For generations, the Mising people have lived along the banks of the Burhidehing, relying on farming as their primary source of income. However, the river's unchecked erosion has now consumed large portions of fertile land, pushing families to the brink of displacement. "We have lost nearly 20 bighas of farmland in just a month. The river is now barely 70-80 metres from our homes. If no action is taken, our entire village could vanish," said Raju Mili, a distressed farmer from Panimiri village. Residents claim that despite repeated pleas, neither the district administration nor the water resources department has taken concrete steps to mitigate the crisis. Temporary measures have proven futile against the river's aggressive currents. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indian NRIs Are Getting Eligible For INR 2 Lakh Monthly Pension On Retirement. Invest 18K/M Get Offer Undo "We have been living here for generations, but now the river is coming closer to our homes every day. First it took our best agricultural land, and now we fear for our houses. Where will we go if the govt doesn't help us?" said Lakhimi Payeng, a mother of three from Panimiri village. Banikanta Doley, a village elder from Jhanjimukh, described the mounting anxiety among residents. "Our forefathers settled here because the soil was fertile and the river provided for us. Now that same river is destroying everything we have built. We cannot sleep peacefully knowing our homes might be next." The Mising community, one of Assam's major indigenous tribal groups, has traditionally thrived along riverbanks, developing agricultural practices adapted to the flood plains. However, changing river patterns and increased erosion have made their riverside existence increasingly precarious.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
23 days later, tanker still hangs on Mahi bridge
Vadodara: Twenty-three days after the Gambhira bridge over the Mahi river collapsed, killing 21 people, the tanker precariously hanging off the broken slab is about to be extricated, with its front to be lifted with high-pressure air bags. On Friday, the operation to salvage the tanker was launched. After directives from chief minister Bhupendra Patel, the Anand district administration roped in the Porbandar-based Marine Emergency Response Centre (MERC), which in turn called in experts from Singapore. MERC was recently engaged by the Coast Guard to salvage the Singapore-flagged container vessel Wan Hai 503, which had caught fire off the coast of Kozhikode in Kerala on June 8 while en route from Colombo to Mumbai with more than 800 tonnes of a hazardous mix of industrial chemicals. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad "A team of 20 from MERC is camping in Bamangam for the operation, which is expected to take a couple of days," said Anand district collector Praveen Chaudhary. "MERC has expertise in salvaging cargo ships, with the weights involved being over 500 tonnes. It will use balloon technology to salvage the 12-tonne tanker," he said. Flexible high-pressure airbags will be positioned under the tanker and inflated to lift the front of the vehicle, which has been dangling dangerously facing the river 50 feet below. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like NRIs Living In Ukraine Are Eligible For INR 2 Lakh Monthly Pension. Invest 18K/Month Get Offer Undo "On Friday, the MERC team finished rigging work on the broken slab," said Chaudhary. Sources said the CM has emphasized that the operation be carried out with "zero incident". They added that MERC is carrying out this operation pro bono. Officials said that in the final stage, there will be no human movement on the bridge structure, for which the entire site has been cordoned off. On why the tanker is not pulled out, Chaudhary said it was simply not an option. "From an engineering point of view, Pier 5 on which the tanker is stationed is cantilevered, which means it is a rigid structure that extends horizontally and is unsupported at one end. The work is tricky as Pier 5 is not taking the load and the tanker is tilted towards the river," he said. The tanker, which had been carrying hydrochloric acid, was emptied in Ahmedabad and was headed back to Dahej for a refill. When the bridge collapsed, the tanker driver jumped out and managed to clamber onto a stable part of the bridge. He saw many vehicles and people plunging into the river. The tanker belongs to Shivam Roadlines in Ankleshwar. Its owner has made representations for speedy recovery of his vehicle, for which he pays a monthly EMI of about Rs 1 lakh. "I have spoken to the state-level bankers committee requesting that his EMIs be deferred for four months," said Chaudhary.
The Wire
6 days ago
- The Wire
Over 4000 Students Participate in 'Aadi Perukku' Celebration at Dr MGR Janaki Women's College
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India (NewsVoir) Over 4,000 students of Dr. MGR-Janaki Women's College celebrated Aadi Perukku, a Tamil festival observed on the eighteenth day of the Tamil month of Aadi to express gratitude for rivers. Donning half-sarees and sarees, students performed many traditional practices, capturing the essence of the occasion. During the celebration, students participated in the 'mulaipari' worship, carrying earthen pots filled with sprouts from nine different types of grains and legumes. The girls floated lamps in a small pond, in a symbolic reenactment of the traditional practice typically performed in rivers. They enjoyed 'chitrannam', which included different varieties of rice such as lemon rice, tamarind rice, and coconut rice. To add to the festivity, students performed traditional folk dances during the occasion and included 'Devarattam,' 'Karakattam,' 'Puliyaattam,' 'Oyilattam,' 'Sakkaiyaattam,' 'Poikaal Kuthiraiyaattam,' 'Mayilattam,' and Dance Drama. Special children also performed a dance, and students from Agaram took part in the occasion. Altogether it was a spectacular sight and replication of celebrations indigenous to villages. 'Preserving our tradition and knowing our roots is important for human race to progress and leave in peace. Celebrations like this will help younger generation know our 5000-year-old tradition and pass on it to future generation. This is our little attempt towards preserving the Tamil culture. Also, the 'sandhai' concept with stalls fully managed by students will help nurture their marketing and entrepreneurial skills' said Dr. Kumar Rajendran, Chairman, Dr. MGR Janaki College for Women. The event also featured experts discussing the social, cultural, and environmental significance of Aadi Perukku, as well as traditional practices, music, and dance forms of Tamil culture. For more details, please visit: (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Newsvoir and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). This is an auto-published feed from PTI with no editorial input from The Wire.
