General V.N. Sharma retired in 1990 as Chief of the Indian Army after a distinguished military career of 40 years. He has vast experience in India’s active border regions with their varied terrain and operational challenges. He is considered an authority in mobile operations and mountain warfare. He was awarded the Ati-Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 1977 and the Param-Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) in 1986 by the President of India, the latter is the highest award for distinguished service of a most exceptional order.

After his retirement, he became the Trustee of the World Memorial Fund for Disaster Relief. He runs a free tuberculosis clinic in Himachal Pradesh. He is a member of the India International Centre and The Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis. He has served on the Local Advisory Board of ABN Amro Bank for seven years and on the Board of Directors of the Diamond and Gem Development Corporation for five years and has served on the Board of Hawkins Cookers since 1998. He is also a Peace Ambassador for the Universal Peace Federation.

He is also the father of Toronto Eglinton Member, Lotika Paintal.