IAS Officer Jalaj Sharma Honoured with Prime Minister’s Award by PM Modi for Holistic Development of Nashik

Today, on the occasion of Civil Services Day at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi honoured several Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers with the Prime Minister’s Award in recognition of their outstanding services to society. Among those awarded was Jalaj Sharma, a senior IAS officer of the 2014 batch from the Maharashtra cadre, originally a resident of Chandigarh and currently serving as the District Collector of Nashik. He received the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2023 for the holistic and all-round development of Nashik, a city known as the abode of Lord Shiva.

Addressing the 17th Civil Services Day, Prime Minister Modi called upon administrative officers to work with honesty, discipline, and dedication, advancing the goals of the nation and the vision of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose ideals remain relevant even today. He paid heartfelt tribute to Sardar Patel and recalled that he had once spoken from the Red Fort about laying the foundation for the next thousand years for a rising India. The Prime Minister highlighted that 25 years of this millennium have already passed, and emphasized that the decisions and policies being implemented today will shape the future of the next millennium.

PM Modi made it clear that just as a chariot cannot move with a single wheel, development too cannot be imagined without hard work. He urged all officials to commit themselves fully—every day, every moment—to the mission of building a developed India, and to dedicate their entire lives to this cause. He observed how rapidly the world is changing, noting that even 10-15-year-old children find the older generation outdated, and that gadgets and technologies are evolving in cycles as short as two to three years. Therefore, he said, bureaucracy, governance, and policymaking cannot remain rooted in outdated methods. He noted that India has seen a major transformation in its administrative systems since 1947, and today’s officers must swiftly adapt themselves to the fast-changing landscape.

He added that India today is an aspirational society, and the dreams of its youth, farmers, and women are reaching new heights. To meet these rising aspirations, it is essential to maintain and accelerate the current momentum of development. Sectors such as energy security, clean energy, sports, and space exploration were highlighted as key focus areas for the years ahead. Prime Minister Modi concluded by stressing that only by changing with the times can we meaningfully contribute to the nation’s growth.

After receiving the Prime Minister’s Award, Jalaj Sharma said that a person with a positive mindset, patience, and an unwavering commitment to public service is bound to succeed. He shared that during his tenure as Nashik’s District Collector, his top priority had always been to serve the people with integrity, truthfulness, and dedication, all while nurturing the religious and spiritual heritage of Nashik—the divine city of Lord Shiva and the place associated with Lord Ram and Sita’s exile. He said that the blessings of Lord Shiva and the overwhelming love and cooperation of Nashik’s citizens enabled him to fulfil this vision, ultimately earning him the honour of the Prime Minister’s Award 2023.

Jalaj Sharma explained that the Prime Minister’s Award is presented annually to IAS officers who deliver exceptional work in their respective districts. This award recognizes their remarkable service and is meant to encourage excellence in administration. He said he was extremely happy and considered himself fortunate to receive this award, especially for the holistic (religious and spiritual) development of Nashik.

With emotion in his voice, Jalaj Sharma reaffirmed his commitment to the divine city of Lord Shiva and the famous Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of India. He assured the people of Nashik that he would strive to take the city to new heights of development. He expressed hope that with public cooperation, adequate facilities will be in place for the 2027 Maha Kumbh Mela, expected to draw millions of visitors from across India and the world. His goal is to set new milestones of progress for Nashik district.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini also congratulated Jalaj Sharma on receiving the Prime Minister’s Award on Civil Services Day. He praised Jalaj’s positive outlook, passion, tireless effort, and spirit of dedication, which led to this national recognition. He added that this award is not just a symbol of honour and prestige for civil servants but will also inspire other IAS officers to deliver outstanding performance in their respective regions. CM Saini also noted that Jalaj Sharma had previously won Maharashtra Government’s Best District Collector Award in 2023, showcasing his remarkable capabilities.

Former Chief Secretary of Haryana and current Chairman of Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited, Sanjeev Kaushal, also extended his heartfelt congratulations. He shared that he has known Jalaj Sharma for many years and that Jalaj often sought his guidance. He had once advised Jalaj to always work with honesty, impartiality, and integrity, and Jalaj adhered to that guidance with commitment, leading to the holistic development of Nashik. Kaushal called the Prime Minister’s Award the dream of every administrative officer, and said Jalaj had fulfilled that dream with distinction.

It is noteworthy that Jalaj Sharma’s father, Ram Bhagat Sharma, retired as Additional Director from the Department of Information, Public Relations, and Cultural Affairs, Haryana. His mother, Mrs. Rupa Rani Sharma, retired as an Architect from the Architecture Department in Chandigarh. Jalaj completed his early education from St. Anne’s Convent School in Chandigarh. His parents, expressing heartfelt emotions, said that receiving the Prime Minister’s Award is the dream of every IAS officer, and they are immensely proud that their son achieved this honour. They added that this accomplishment was made possible due to the strong values instilled in Jalaj, as well as his unwavering commitment, integrity, sense of duty, and dedication to his work.

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