Page 55 - NIS English 1-15 Oct, 2026

Teachers’ Day | NATION

President Confers National Awards on Teachers
On the occasion of Teachers’ Day, President Droupadi Murmu conferred National Awards upon teachers
from across the country at a ceremony held in New Delhi on September 5, 2026. In her address, the President
stated that education is the most effective medium to realise the ideal of ‘equality of opportunity’ enshrined in
our Constitution. The achievement of bringing the school dropout rate in primary schools to a negligible level
has been made possible through the efforts of teachers. She commended all teachers for this national success.
She remarked that academic excellence, skill development, and entrepreneurship hold great significance in
the country’s development. Establishing India as the skill capital of the world, and transforming it into a
knowledge superpower, is among our national priorities.

HELP INCULCATE VALUES LIKE THE THE MANTRA FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING:
DIGNITY OF LABOUR IN CHILDREN CONFIDENCE + PRACTICE
While discussing the National Education Policy, A teacher explained that self-confidence and consis-
the Prime Minister emphasised the importance tent practice are essential to becoming a successful
of taking children out of the classroom to connect speaker. PM Narendra Modi immediately asked a
them with real-world skills and various forms of playful question: “Where does this confidence come
work. He urged teachers not to limit themselves to from?” That sparked a lively exchange – the conver-
merely imparting curriculum-based knowledge but sation turned to the concept of ‘aura’, and laughter
also to help inculcate values such as the dignity of filled the air. Sometimes, the most memorable way
labour among children. to learn is by combining the lesson with a smile.

THE BEGINNING OF CHANGE 82 TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS
Some conversations are more than just talk; they HONOURED WITH TEACHERS’ AWARD
become the starting point for change. A teacher This year, 82 teachers and educators from three
shared their initiative to go beyond academics and departments have been selected for the National
take messages regarding cleanliness and breast Teachers’ Award. These include 48 teachers from
cancer awareness to the community. Recalling the the Department of School Education and Literacy,
breast cancer awareness campaign in Kashi, PM 21 teachers/faculty members from higher edu-
Modi noted that increased awareness encouraged cation institutions and polytechnics, and 13 skill
more women to come forward and find the courage trainers from the Ministry of Skill Development
to get screened. This is the true strength of a and Entrepreneurship. The awardees spoke about
teacher: moving from knowledge to awareness and their teaching experiences and innovations. They
from awareness to change. shared various creative methods adopted to make

classroom teaching more engaging and effective. n

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