Teachers play an important role in nation building: Chief Minister Mr. Baghel

Teachers Felicitation Ceremony held at Raj Bhavan on the occasion of Teacher's Day

Raipur, 5 September 2021

 On the occasion of Teachers' Day, State-level Teachers Felicitation Ceremony was held at Durbar Hall of Raj Bhavan, in the esteemed presence of Governor Ms. Anusuiya Uikey. Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel presided over the ceremony. School Education Minister Dr. Premsai Singh Tekam, Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Dwarkadhish Yadav were also present in the programme.
Governor paid tribute to the Ex-President and great teacher Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. She said that teachers are like lamps, who bring light of knowledge in the darkness of ignorance. They play an important role in the progress of the country and the state. Teachers guide students towards the path of success and make them a better citizen. 
Ms. Uikey further said that we owe our achievements and success to the guidance and contribution of our teachers. Governor said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel, many important steps have been taken in the field of education, including opening of Swami Atmanand English Medium Schools, which is commendable. These schools are providing quality English medium education up to the block level. Ms. Uikey congratulated the entire education department including Chief Minister for this step. Governor also praised the works done by Education Department during the COVID crisis.
Governor further said that children are the future of our country, their originality and imagination are invaluable asset to the country, and teachers have an important responsibility on their shoulders to shape the lives of these children. Teachers should treat students as friends and guide them with empathy. 
Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel extended his greetings and best wishes on Teachers' Day and said that the birthday of former President Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishna is celebrated as Teacher's Day. He was a great teacher. When he took charge as the President of the country, some students proposed to celebrate his birthday, to which he suggested that his birthday should be celebrated as Teacher's Day. He said that we always need Guru for education and guidance. Teachers play an important role in nation building. Even during COVID crisis, Education Department provided education through mediums like online education system  such as 'Bultu Ke Bol', Mohalla Class. These initiatives were appreciated across the country and abroad. 
Mr. Baghel further said that after the appointment of teachers by Panchayat Department in year 1998 in Madhya Pradesh, no regular appointment of teachers was done till recently. New government has made arrangements for the recruitment of regular teachers and commenced the process. We have established Swami Atmanand English Schools to provide excellent education. Under this scheme, children of poor and middle class parents are provided free education. This is an important step towards providing quality education. Children look up to their teachers as role models and learn from their behaviour. This is the reason our society needs good teachers to churn out good students. Paying tribute to the teachers who died during the Corona period, Chief Minister said that our teachers played an important role during COVID crisis by keeping up the learning process of their students. 
School Education Minister Dr. Premsai Singh Tekam said that many innovative steps such as Padhai Tuhar Dwar, Mohalla Class etc were taken by the Education Department to provide education to the children in the state. These efforts of the administration were also appreciated by NITI Aayog. Prime Minister had also mentioned about these innovations in his programme 'Mann Ki Baat'.
In the program, 58 teachers selected in the year 2020 were felicitated. 54 of these teachers were given State Teacher Award and 4 teachers were given Memorial Award in the name of great litterateurs of the state. On the occasion, names of the teachers nominated for State Level Award for year 2021 were announced. Principal Secretary School Education Department Dr. Alok Shukla delivered the welcome address. Secretary to the Governor Mr. Amrit Kumar Khalkho, Legal Advisor Mr. R.K. Agrawal, Secretary School Education Dr. Kamalpreet Singh were also present at the award cermony.