The Ministry of Education (MoE) held an online conference on Teachers' Day 2021 to commemorate the top teachers in the country with the National Awards of Teachers 2021. On September 5, at 10:30 a.m., the ceremony began. The awards were presented by India's President, Ram Nath Kovid, to 44 teachers from throughout the country. Dharmendra Pradhan, the Minister of Education, was also present at the online conference.
On Saturday, the MoE had tweeted, "National Awards to Teachers will be given by Hon'ble President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, on 5th September 2021 at 10:30 A.M. These awards will be given to the best teachers of the country Selected through a transparent online 3 stage selection process."
This year, 44 teachers, including 10 women, earned the National Award for Teachers.
"On the occasion of the 133rd birth anniversary of India's first Vice President, second President, Bharat Ratna Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, we are present here to commemorate the 44 teachers of India from 28 states," said Dharmendra Pradhan, who started the programme.
A teacher, according to the education minister, not only builds an individual, but also contributes to the creation of a society.
On the eve of Teachers' Day, President Ram Nath Kovind thanked teachers around the country. In a message, he said, "Teachers' Day is observed on the birthday of a great educationist, philosopher, and former President of India, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all teachers on the occasion of Teachers' Day.
President Kovind mentioned that former President APJ Abdul Kalam always said that his teachers made it easier for him to understand at a young age that he wanted to pursue a career in aeronautical engineering, while expressing the importance of teachers' contribution in inspiring students towards their career building.
He also added that "All students are different, their strengths and weaknesses are different, and their living environment is also different that is why it's important to nurture their interests and strengths for a holistic development."
In his speech, he praised Rabindra Nath Tagore's advanced teaching methods at Visva Bharati University, as well as the mindfulness that led to the prohibition of physical punishments for students, which has now been implemented around the world.
