New Delhi: On the eve of Teachers' Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with this year's National Teachers' Award recipients on Monday and encouraged them to highlight the rich cultural traditions of India in their classrooms.
The prime minister spoke with the 75 awardees at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, where he lauded the educators' role in shaping the future of India's youth.
According to a PMO statement, he stressed the value of quality education and the impact that teachers may have on the future of the country.
Modi also underlined the value of teaching kids about the lives of ordinary people who accomplished extraordinary things.
According to the statement, the prime minister encouraged the educators to instill in their children an interest in their region's history and culture by stressing the importance of celebrating local heritage.
He urged educators to hold events in their classrooms honouring the cultural differences that make the United States so strong.
Since the 21st century is so technology-driven, Modi, while discussing the recent achievement of Chandrayaan-3, emphasised the necessity of fostering a sense of wonder about science and technology in today's youth.
He also emphasised the value of equipping today's youth with the skills they'll need for the future.
Prime Minister Modi stressed the need of recycling as an alternative to the "use and throw" attitude when discussing Mission LiFE, a global plan of action to save the planet from the dire effects of climate change.
Modi was also updated by a number of educators on the school-wide efforts to promote cleanliness.
In addition, Modi encouraged the educators to continue their education and professional development throughout their careers.
When asked about the evolving role of educators, he urged teachers to keep their inner student alive at all times.
According to a video footage of the interaction released by the PMO on X (previously Twitter), he told them, "If the student within you is alive, you will never get caught up in problems or feel dejected."
The prime minister emphasised the importance of nurturing children's natural curiosity and urging educators to do the same.
He remarked something along the lines of "You don't do it that is why you have gotten this award," which was met with roaring laughter from the faculty.
Modi introduced the recipients of the National Teachers' Awards, writing on X, "Meet our nation's great educators. Their continuous commitment to educational achievement and their passion for moulding young minds is truly admirable. He remarked that teachers in India were "writing a better future for India's youth" in the classroom.
According to the official announcement, the National Teachers' Award was created to "celebrate the unique contribution of some of the finest teachers in the country and to honour those teachers who, through their commitment," both of which contributed to bettering the educational experience and the lives of their students.
This year, the award's scope was broadened to include professors selected by the Ministry of Higher Education and the Department of Skill Development in addition to those picked by the Department of School Education and Literacy.
Dharmendra Pradhan, minister of human resources and education, joined Modi for the discussion.
According to representatives from the Ministry of Education, on September 5 President Droupadi Murmu will present the honour to 75 educators from across the country.
Fifty professors from K-12 institutions, thirteen professors from higher education institutions, and twelve officials from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship make up this group.
According to a high-ranking official from the Education Ministry, "the purpose of the National Teachers' Award is to celebrate the unique contribution of teachers in the country and to honour those teachers who, through their commitment and dedication, have not only improved the quality of education but also enriched the lives of their students."—Inputs from Agencies