Sharad Pawar, Politician
Politician

Sharad Pawar

Born 12 December 1940 · Maharashtra

Serving three terms as Chief Minister of Maharashtra and shaping state politics.

Sharadchandra Govindrao Pawar is an Indian politician who has served as a Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha since 2020, representing the Nationalist Congress Party. Pawar served three terms as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, held cabinet positions in the Union Council of Ministers, including Minister of Defence under P. V. Narasimha Rao and Minister of Agriculture under Manmohan Singh.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Sharad Pawar served as President of the International Cricket Council from 2010 to 2012, a rare crossover from Indian regional politics to global sports governance.

The Story

1
In 1991, Sharad Pawar took charge as India's Defence Minister under P. V. Narasimha Rao, overseeing military affairs during a turbulent post-Cold War era, a role seldom linked to his Maharashtra roots.
2
🌾 Between 2004 and 2014, as Agriculture Minister under Manmohan Singh, Pawar steered policies during critical drought years, influencing farmer welfare amidst rising agrarian distress.
3🏏 From 2005 to 2008, he presided over the BCCI, navigating cricket's complex politics while India was preparing to host the 2011 World Cup, later leading the ICC from 2010 to 2012.
4In 1999, Sharad Pawar founded the Nationalist Congress Party after a dramatic split from the Indian National Congress over leadership disagreements, reshaping Maharashtra's political landscape.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 2026, his nephew Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash near Baramati, and within days, Ajit's widow Sunetra Pawar was sworn in as Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, highlighting the family's enduring political influence.

🖼️

Through the Years

3 photographs from the archives
Sharad Pawar at the release of his photo biography in Mumbai by Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (2007).
Sharad Pawar at the release of his photo biography in Mumbai by Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (2007).
2007
Sharad Pawar meeting with Egypt's Agriculture Minister Amin Abaza in New Delhi (2008).
Sharad Pawar at the 16th Indian Cooperative Congress book release in New Delhi (2013).

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Sharad Pawar is born in Baramati
Born to Govindrao and Shardabai Pawar in Maharashtra, in a middle-class agricultural family.
1940
🌟
Other
Marries Pratibhatai Shinde
Sharad Pawar marries Pratibhatai, daughter of test cricketer Sadashiv Shinde.
1967
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Career
Appointed Union Defence Minister
Served as Defence Minister in P. V. Narasimha Rao’s cabinet during a sensitive geopolitical period.
1991
⚡
Career
Founds Nationalist Congress Party
Split from Indian National Congress leads to formation of NCP, altering Maharashtra politics.
1999
⚡
Career
Becomes BCCI President
Leads Board of Control for Cricket in India during critical years ahead of 2011 World Cup.
2005
⚡
Career
Elected ICC President
Heads International Cricket Council, bridging Indian cricket with global administration.
2010
🏅
Award
Receives Padma Vibhushan
Awarded India’s second-highest civilian honor for political and public service.
2017
🌟
Other
Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash
Nephew and six-time Deputy CM of Maharashtra dies near Baramati; widow sworn in days later.
2026
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Sharad Pawar completed only up to 10th standard at Maharashtra Education Society's High School in Baramati, yet rose to helm critical ministries including Defence and Agriculture at the national level.

02 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

He held the presidency of the Mumbai Cricket Association from 2013 to 2017, a period marked by efforts to reform local cricket structures in Mumbai, India’s cricketing heartland.

03 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

Pawar’s father, Govindrao Pawar, was elected thrice to the district local board between 1937 and 1952, indicating a political legacy spanning pre-independence India.

No quote recorded for Sharad Pawar yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
To The Point with Sharad Pawar
More from this archive
To The Point with Sharad Pawar
01
To The Point with Sharad Pawar
Hardtalk India Sharad Pawar 7 11 2003
02
Hardtalk India Sharad Pawar 7 11 2003
Sharad Pawar - Part - I - Ep.01
03
Sharad Pawar - Part - I - Ep.01
NCP Foundation Day Documentary:राष्ट्रवादीची 25 वर्षे, Sharad Pawar यांच्या घडाळ्याचा संपूर्ण प्रवास
04
NCP Foundation Day Documentary:राष्ट्रवादीची 25 वर्षे, Sharad Pawar यांच्या घडाळ्याचा संपूर्ण प्रवास

🌱 What changed because of them

Sharad Pawar’s career shaped Maharashtra’s political alliances, particularly through founding the Nationalist Congress Party in 1999, which has remained a kingmaker in state politics. His tenure as Agriculture Minister influenced farmer support policies during challenging drought periods, affecting India’s rural economy. Additionally, his leadership roles in cricket administration linked politics with sports governance, impacting cricket diplomacy and administration at the international level.

💬 Social Buzz

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