From NIC Chandigarh to US federal deal: A tech firm with its roots in the city rebrands US government arm, signalling global ambitions and local pride

Sharma served with NIC from 1989 to 1997 as District Informatics Officer and Systems Analyst. As the first District Informatics Officer of Chandigarh, he set up the NIC district office and introduced early IT systems across government departments. His consultancy work with departments in Punjab and Chandigarh contributed to the initial groundwork of e-governance in the region.

Born into a modest family and raised among six siblings, Sharma’s early years were shaped by shared responsibilities and limited resources. From those beginnings to leading a US federal acquisition, his trajectory mirrors the aspirations of many middle-class families in the region who view education and hard work as pathways to global opportunity.

Speaking about the larger vision, Sharma said the growth of 22nd Century Technologies was not merely a corporate milestone but an opportunity to inspire and strengthen the Chandigarh-Mohali IT ecosystem. He said globally competitive firms emerging from the region could attract investment, generate high-value employment and position Chandigarh and Mohali as credible technology hubs on the international map.

With the launch of 22nd Century Networks, a company with roots in Chandigarh now finds itself more deeply embedded in the US federal technology landscape, marking a full-circle moment for a journey that began in local government corridors.