Bhubaneswar, Sept. 7 (UDN): Four teachers from Odisha have been honoured with the prestigious National Teachers’ Awards for their contribution to education, innovation and skill development.
The awards were presented by President Droupadi Murmu at a special ceremony in New Delhi on Teachers’ Day. A total of 82 teachers and educators from across the country were recognised this year.
The Odisha awardees include Padaraj Umakant Nayak, a teacher at Alipingal High School in Jagatsinghpur district; Mohammad Zafar Alam, a teacher at Eklavya Model Residential School in Karanjia, Mayurbhanj; Dr Srikant Golapudi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Metallurgical Engineering at IIT Bhubaneswar; and Pranab Kumar Choudhury, a teacher at the Central Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC), Bhubaneswar.
Of the 82 award recipients, 48 were from the Department of School Education and Literacy, while 21 teachers and faculty members represented higher education institutions and polytechnics. Another 13 skill trainers from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship were also recognised.
Addressing the award ceremony, President Murmu stressed the importance of quality education in building an equitable and developed society. She said education remains one of the strongest means of ensuring equality of opportunity, as envisaged in the Constitution.
The President also underlined the crucial role of teachers in shaping children during their formative years. She called upon educators to focus not only on academic performance but also on the intellectual, physical and moral development of students.
She urged teachers to ensure that every child gets access to quality education while developing knowledge, motivation and sensitivity among learners.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with the award-winning teachers at his residence in New Delhi. The teachers shared some of the innovative approaches they have adopted to make classroom learning more engaging and effective.
Modi encouraged teachers to look beyond examination results and pay attention to students’ behaviour, mindset and everyday lives. He also urged them to guide children away from intoxicating substances and promote healthier lifestyles.
The Prime Minister further expressed concern over excessive screen time among children and encouraged teachers to involve parents in addressing the issue. He stressed the importance of sports, physical activities and creative pursuits in the overall development of children.
The recognition of the four educators from Odisha has brought further distinction to the State’s teaching community and highlighted their contribution to strengthening education and skill development.
