Sharique Mashhadi and
Apoorva Bhatnagar
Asano Sekhose or Madam Asano, as respectfully known to all, is esteemed as the longest-serving Chairperson of the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE). Her dignified persona, visionary leadership, and impactful contributions have significantly shaped and enhanced the educational landscape of Nagaland, earning widespread recognition and appreciation.
Though her tenure as a Chairperson for NBSE was till January 2025; the institution stands tall as a testament to her legacy rooted in trust, inclusion for every child, and a supportive environment for both public and private schools; will continue to inspire and guide the future education leaders in Nagaland.
Over the last three years, we have had multiple chances to meet and interact with her. We have been in admiration for her thoughtful opinions and insightful decisions and her unwavering support—not just to ensure work iscompleted, but to ensure it is done in a way that benefits everyone involved and strengthens the education system.Her leadership style has consistently nurtured a culture of teamwork, creativity, and mutual respect. By encouraging innovation while fostering support and collaboration, she exemplifies a truly inclusive and visionary approach to leadership.
She has been a risk-taker who embraces new ideas and initiatives that hold a deeper intent to ensure the well-being of young people. It is rare to see someone who can take up intellect and empathy together while staying true in the system she serves. Under her leadership, numerous successful programs, innovative concepts, and learning opportunities have flourished, fostering a culture of collaboration and ensuring the sustainability of educational progress in the state.
Her tireless motivation and zeal has gone beyond merely overseeing the examinations, she made it possible she made it possible to focus on holistic development for students and teachers. She passionately advocated supporting teachers’ wellbeing so they can do their best within and outside of the classroom.
During her tenure at NBSE, she prioritized social-emotional well-being for educators, fostering a learning environment where children feel safe, engaged, and motivated to thrive. Her significant contributions to the establishment, growth, and evolution of NBSE as an institution of excellence stand as a reflection to her commitments.
Her contributions also extended beyond the state level, as she actively engaged with national education bodies, ensuring that Nagaland remained aligned with educational trends while maintaining its unique cultural and educational identity. She played a crucial role in fostering partnerships that brought new perspectives and best practices to the state’s education system.
Even as she steps away from her official role, her influence will continue to resonate within the education sector. Her legacy is not just in policies and programs but in the lives of students, teachers, and administrators, partners who have benefited from her dedication and foresight. She has built a strong foundation to lead the path for a inclusive, holistic future of education in Nagaland.
Sharique Mashhadi and Apoorva Bhatnagar are working with Bangalore based, Dream a Dream. Both of them worked closely with NBSE-Nagaland under the leadership of Asano Sekhose.
