Leadership is not a designation. At Shikshagraha, we believe it is an individual’s ability to undertake continuous micro-improvements to enhance learning environments.
Leadership is the ability to nurture partnerships with the community, civil society, local businesses, etc. to address education challenges. Leadership is the ability to think critically and develop unique strategies to facilitate student learning.
Leadership is the commitment to ensure that all students, especially those from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds, have fair access to quality education and that their specific needs are addressed.
At Shikshagraha Awards, we champion this leadership. Educators who go above and beyond their roles to build an equitable and inclusive education ecosystem, and prepare all our children for the future.
And once in a while, we get a glimpse of this education leadership in films. We identified some of these inspiring portrayals and would like to present them with the [imaginary] Shikshgraha Award. Here is our list of winners:
Naina Mathur (Hichki) for consistently finding innovative ways to bridge her students’ learning gaps.
Erin Gruwell (Freedom Writers) for engaging local businesses and communities to raise funds for exposure activities for her students.
Geeta Rani (Raatchasi) for getting the government, local community, parents to together build an impressive public school.
Balamurugan (Vaathi) for not letting anything come in the way and ensuring that learning materials reach his students.
Ram Shankar Nikumbh (Taare Zameen Par) for not letting Ishan’s learning disability define his achievements.
Anand Kumar (Super 30) for making the most of the limited resources to enable his students [from underprivileged backgrounds] to join IIT.
Such stories are not restricted to cinema. These leaders exist all across the country. Rajitha has strengthened early childhood education across 90 centres in remote tribal areas. Muskan runs Kitabi Masti, a library that nurtures learning for 100+ children daily. Xavier has transformed a school plagued by infrastructural decay and community distrust.
Do you know such a changemaker in education who deserves recognition? Nominate them before 31 August 2025 at shikshagraha.org/awards.
About the Author
Luv Kumar
Luv strongly believes in the power of stories to make this world a better place. Having fallen in love with stories in his childhood, Luv makes his living as a storyteller — managing communications at Shikshagraha. He is a Teach for India Alum and has worked with non profit education startups & media agencies in the past.
