CM Fadnavis graces IPEC 2026 valedictory at IIM Nagpur as Nachiketa Awards are conferred

NAGPUR: The valedictory function of the ninth International Principals' Educational Conference (IPEC 2026), organised by The South Public School, was held at the auditorium of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Nagpur, on October 24, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as chief guest. The function, which closed the three-day conference on the theme Understanding WOW, The World of Wonderful Generations: Bridging Insights and Innovations, was also graced by Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar, Minister of State, School Education, Government of Maharashtra, and Dr. Nitish Bharadwaj, actor, director, scholar and former MP, as guests of honour.

In his valedictory address, Chief Minister Fadnavis lauded The South Public School for sustaining IPEC since 2008 as a national movement for educational reform. He said that Maharashtra is committed to blending India's timeless educational values with modern technology, AI and NEP 2020 to create future-ready, yet culturally rooted schools. He described teachers as the true architects of Viksit Bharat and assured full government support for innovative practices emerging from IPEC.

The ceremony began with the lighting of the traditional lamp and the garlanding of Goddess Saraswati, Bharat Ratna Late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and Late Dinanathji Dasture, Founder of The South Public School. Dr. Mrunalini Dasture, Convener, IPEC, presented the highlights of the three-day deliberations held from October 22 to 24 on six sub-themes, ranging from bridging Indian traditions with modern paradigms to cyber engagement and student well-being.

The Chief Minister released the E-Souvenir Patheya, a compilation of scholarly papers presented at the conference.

Chief Minister Fadnavis presented the Sarvottam Nachiketa Puraskar to Dr. Nitish Bharadwaj for his contribution to art, culture and thought leadership. The citation was read by Dr. Rajiv Mohta. In his acceptance speech, Dr. Bharadwaj, who portrayed Lord Krishna on screen, spoke on living the philosophy of the Gita in education and life.

The Lifetime Nachiketa Awards were conferred on educationists Dr. Razia Hussain and Shraddha Kelapure for their dedication to the cause of education. The Super Nachiketa Awards were conferred on Dr. Indira Nainar, Director and Head of Academics, Billabong High International School, Mumbai, and Kanchan Ukey, Principal, Centre Point School, Wardhaman Nagar, Nagpur. The Nachiketa Awards were conferred on the educators listed in the table below.

Dr. Bhoyar appreciated IPEC for providing a platform for principals to share best practices and assured that insights from the conference would enrich state education policy.

Dr. Mrunalini Dasture later declared the Nachiketa and Super Nachiketa Awards for the best innovative practices presented during the conference.

The dignitaries on the dais included Vijay Phanshikar, Editor, The Hitavada, and Principal Advisor, IPEC, Deaven Dasture, Director, The South Public School, and Rajesh Ghai, MD, Sunflower Education. The members of the Scrutiny Committee on the dais were Dr. Satish Sule, Girish Deodhar, Dr. Rajiv Mohta, Shashikant Chaudhary and Dr. Kanchan Naidu. The members of the Advisory Committee were also felicitated.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of a memento to the Chief Minister and the singing of the National Anthem.

Nachiketa Awardees, October 24

Best Paper Awardees, October 24