Sharad Chandra Govindrao Pawar, mostly known as Sharad Pawar, is an Indian politician. He is the founder and President of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) since 1999, after disassociating from the Indian National Congress. Pawar Pawar was born to Govindrao Pawar, who was employed in the Baramati Farmers' Cooperative (Sahakari Kharedi Vikri Sangh), and Shardabai Pawar, who looked after the family farm at Katewadi, ten kilometres from Baramati. Sharad Pawar was an average student although he was quite active in students’ politics. His enthusiasm in debates, his dynamic speaking prowess, his vigor in organizing and arranging outdoor activities and sports were all early indicators of his leadership qualities. His first act in the field of politics was his active participation and organization of a protest march in 1956 in support of the Goa Liberation Movement. He represented student leadership at Brihan Maharashtra Commerce College (BMCC) and served as the General Secretary. This place marked his entry into politics and his association with the Youth Congress. He came in contact with Yashwantrao Chavan, who is considered the architect of modern Maharashtra. Chavan recognized his potential as a leader and eventually Sharad Pawar became the leader of Youth Congress. He was also a member of the state’s Pradesh Congress Committee.

Sharad Pawar has served as the Chairman of the Board of Control for Cricket in India from 2005 to 2008 and as the president of the International Cricket Council from 2010 to 2012. On 17 June 2015, he was re-elected as president of the Mumbai Cricket Association, a position he held from 2001 to 2010 and in 2012. He also held position of president of Vasantdada Sugar Institute in Pune, Nehru Centre in Mumba Vidya Pratishthan, Baramati , Rayat Shikshan Sanstha in Satara, Agriculture Development Trust in Baramati and Y.B. Chavan Pratishthan in Mumbai and President of Bharat Scouts and Guides. Sharad Pawar was conferred Outstanding Parliamentarian Award, 2003 from the then President of India Smt. Pratibha Devsingh Patil. Then Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh released a book in 2008  called “Fast Forward,” which contained a collection of the speeches given by Sharad Pawar. In 2017, he was honoured with Padma Vibhushan, the fourth highest civilian award in India.