FAP National Award 2025, Chandigarh University, Gharuan (Kharar) Mohali

Smt Mitra Ghosh Ji, First Lady of Haryana

Dr Jagjit Singh Dhuri Ji, President, Federation of Private Schools and Associations of Punjab
Shri Satnam Singh Sandhu Ji, Member of Rajya Sabha and Chancellor of Chandigarh University

Esteemed Guests, Distinguished Educators, Award Recipients, Students, Ladies and Gentlemen!

It is a privilege to address you at the 5th edition of the FAP National Awards, an event that has grown into one of India’s most respected platforms for recognizing excellence in school education.
Constituted by the Federation of Associations of Punjab, these awards were envisioned to honour outstanding schools, principals and teachers in the private sector.
What began in 2020 as the FAP State Awards, limited only to Punjab, has today evolved into a truly national celebration of educational leadership.
This year, we are proud to have participation from 17 States and Union Territories, reflecting the trust and credibility FAP has earned across India.
During the two-day ceremony, 949 awards will be presented, honouring 264 teachers, 370 principals and 315 students.
More than 800 private schools from across the nation are part of this milestone edition.
Dear Friends,
The private sector plays a pivotal role in elevating the standard of school education in our country. Of about 14.72 lakh government and private schools in India, nearly 3.40 lakh are private institutions, accounting for 23 per cent of the total.
I strongly feel that an organization like FAP must come forward in ensuring that children from weaker sections of society have their fair representation in private schools as well, which will further promote equity and inclusiveness in education.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our progress in education also reflects the visionary leadership of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, under whom historic reforms have strengthened India’s position as a global education hub.
The PM SHRI Scheme has modernised over 14,500 schools, providing world-class infrastructure and equitable access. The National Education Policy has placed research, innovation, and knowledge at the center of learning.
As a result, India’s ranking in the Global Innovation Index improved from 81st in 2014 to 39th in 2025.
Patent filings grew by 31 per cent and India now ranks 4th globally with 1.3 million academic research publications in the last five years.
The government’s decision to reduce patent application fees by 80 per cent for institutions accelerated this change.
Moreover, the education budget has risen from rupees seventy nine thousand four hundred fifty one crore (₹79,451 crore) in 2014 to a historic rupees one lakh twenty eight thousand six hundred fifty crore (₹128,650 crore) in 2025–26.
Dear Friends,
As we honour today’s achievers, let us reaffirm our collective commitment to shaping a brighter, more innovative and more inclusive future for India’s children.

Thank You! Jai Hind!