SPEECH OF HON’BLE GOVERNOR PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT CHANDIGARH, SHRI BANWARILAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF TEACHERS DAY AT CHANDIGARH ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2022

· My greetings to the entire education fraternity present here on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

· I feel privileged to be amidst the most learned community, more so because it is inspirational to be amongst those who have the responsibility and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of India.

  • It is elating that on Teachers’ Day, the nation recognises the dedicated services of those who are actively engaged in building as well as strengthening the intellectual and ethical foundations of the upcoming generation.

· While I salute the magnanimous gesture of Dr Radhakrishnan for asking his students to celebrate his birthday as Teachers Day, I am reminded of all those who were my torch bearers. You all, my dear friends, are in the same way the torch bearers to hundreds and thousands who you will lead and show light with your devotion, dedication, and diligence.

· India stands tall in the global arena is undoubtedly because the teachers of our nation chiselled and churned out smart minds with the best blend of Indian intellect, value system, combined with the best practices of the West.

· In the fast-changing world of today where new ideas, values, concepts are replacing the old ones, the importance of quality education has increased manifold. I believe that more than ever, today we need inspired, value oriented, mission driven and self-motivated teachers who can be facilitators in letting the children discover their inherent strengths .

· Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan believed and I quote: "The aim of education is not the acquisition of information, (although important) or acquisition of technical skills, (though essential in modern society), but the development of that bent of mind, thatattitude of reason, thatspirit of democracy, which will make us responsible citizens” (unquote).

· These inspiring words encapsulate the essence of his approach to education. It reminds us even today, of the need to constantly introspect and innovate to reorient our teaching content and methodology in response to the changing times. We should always be guided by the primary aim to make our children self-confident, self-reliant and responsible Indians.

Friends,

· Since we won our independence, we, in India, have done very well in the fields of science, technology, innovation and economic development. Yet, despite our accomplishments, we cannot claim to have evolved into a truly developed society.

· Development is not only about factories, dams and roads. Development, to my mind, is about people, their values and their faithfulness to their spiritual and cultural heritage. As we move forward, it is a holistic education that should play a definitive role in shaping our values.

· Here, I see a pivotal role for the teachers in re-setting the moral compass. The teachers have to help our youth imbibe the essential civilizational values of love for motherland; performance of duty; compassion for all; tolerance for pluralism; respect for women; honesty in life; self-restraint in conduct, responsibility in action and discipline .

· There was a time when we had renowned seats of learning like Takshashila, Nalanda, Vikramashila, Valabhi, Somapura and Odantapuri . They attracted scholars from far and wide. The powerful minds who taught at such universities created an exalted position for our ancient education system. We have to regain our leadership position. We look towards teachers to guide the way .

· We, in India, are inheritors of a sacred tradition in which our gurus, saints and seers have selflessly nurtured our minds and shaped our intellect. Imparting knowledge, has, down the ages, been a very methodical, painstaking and sacred transaction in an atmosphere of trust and reverence .

· It is ingrained in us to believe that while our parents give us life, it is our "gurus” that shape our character and aspirations.

  • Nikos Kazant-zakis, the Greek writer and philosopher, had said and I quote: "True teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create their own” (unquote).

· Our educational institutions have such teachers who can shape the thoughts of the young minds. Through words, actions and deeds, such teachers inspire the students and elevate them to a higher level of performance and thinking. They help to inculcate correct values in their students.

· Such inspired teachers should be encouraged to share their knowledge, wisdom and philosophy with the larger student community.

  • I think, it was some time back that an opinion poll was taken in India which asked two or three questions regarding respectability, contributions to society and the social recognition of different professions in India.
  • On the question about the most respected profession, teachers took fourth position, much above politicians, film artists, government officials and such dignified people.
  • And there was another question concerning the profession which makes the greatest contribution to society . Here teachers occupied the second position much above other professions.
  • Another question was asked to know about the profession which deserves greater recognition by society. In this teachers took the second place.

· And therefore, in spite the general decline of values, the veneration of the teacher survives as a principle value of our people.

  • But teachers have to preserve this position . We are lucky that this traditional reverence survives even today. But in order to preserve this position the teachers have to be up to the mark.

· Today the students, even young primary school students, know a lot through internet and various social media platforms. Therefore apart from setting an example to the younger generation, teachers have to keep themselves up-to-date in knowledge.

  • Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore used to say that " when I teach anything, I do it with love". Therefore the secret of the teacher's profession, the secret of their success, or the respect they earn in life is their approach to teaching through love.

· In 1956, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru wrote to the Chief Ministers of India and it is worth quoting him today. He said, " Let us remember that the school is essentially the teacher, not the building ... This is a simple and obvious proposition, and yet it is ignored... The main thing is the teacher. Let us train him better and give him a higher salary and some amenities. The rest will follow... It is the teacher that counts, and everything else is secondary . If you want good teachers, we have to give them simple amenities of life, and we have to give them something that is even more valuable, the respect due to a person who is charged with the greatest task of all, the moulding of human beings ."

· This is the task which has been assigned to the teachers and to fulfill this task today when values are in confusion and traditions are fast changing, it is important that teachers should equip themselves with modern knowledge and also set themselves as an example to the younger generation.

· Apart from teaching, dissemination of values is one of the primary functions of the teachers. We have great values enshrined in our Constitution and traditionally developed by our civilisation. These values of democracy, of secularism, of tolerance and kindness to other human beings have to be inculcated in the younger generation by the teachers. This is a lasting contribution they can make to the future.

· Especially today, it is important to teach them the meaning of toleration, to teach them that we live in a pluralist society among immense diversities and therefore there should be sympathy and understanding of the view points of other people , to avoid the approach of bigotry in life.

· If a teacher does not fulfill this function, as some great educationist has observed that "The classrooms can be factories for manufacturing of bombs", not physical bombs but intellectual bombs. Their approach could be so explosive to life, if they are not taught these elementary values to which we as a nation have been dedicated.

· And today while I congratulate the awardees and the teachers in general, I appeal to them to live upto the expectations the younger generation and our people have of them.

· A Principal-Teacher of Government Model Sr. Secondary School Dhanas, Chandigarh, is today being honoured by the Hon’ble President of India with the National Award, while we have here felicitated the other teachers of the UT, government and private schools, who have given exemplar performances in the education field.

· I congratulate them on achieving this feat. I must also mention that it is after a gap of 10 years, the teachers of the private schools have been facilitated and we intend to carry forward this tradition for the future.

· It is absolutely heart-warming to mention the achievements of theDepartment of School Education to make quality ofEducation Accessible, Equitable and Inclusive towards the holistic development of the child from pre-primary to Sr. Secondary level.

· The Education Department, UT Chandigarh has always made constant endeavours to raise the standards of Education in the city beautiful .

  • We have facilitated and made operational three Govt. schools this year, Govt Model High School, Mauli Jagran, Govt Model High School Sector-12, and Govt Model High School, Kishangarh, taking the tally of Govt schools to 113. We are in the process of identifying land for additional 7-10 schools that will come up shortly in the city.

· This will help the Department in optimising the student classroom ratio in the peripheral areas and to attain the aim of holistic and overall growth of the students.

  • UT of Chandigarh as District scored 5th Position in the year 2018-19 amongst all 725 districts in and 7th Position in the year 2019-20 amongst all 733 districts of India in District Performance Grading Index report released by Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, New Delhi in June this year.
  • School Management Information System has been introduced in all our Govt. Schools w.e.f. July 2022 onwards. Child wise data has been collected, daily attendance of students can be captured online, and with the help of this child can be tracked throughout schooling life-cycle.

· Such accomplishments speak volumes of the hard work and dedication of Officials of the Education Department, Principals, teachers and the support staff.

· I’m confident that with the department working with dedication, the educational, sports and vocational facilities in schools will be enhanced and shall scale greater heights.

  • I call upon all the teachers to stay firm on their journey of selfless duty and ethical commitment to the teaching profession.

· I congratulate all the teachers who have been honoured and truly hope that the success stories continue in the times to come.

  • Make an indelible difference in the life of a child and let each child’s dream begin with a teacher.

· My greetings once again to the entire teaching community of Chandigarh.

Thank you,

Jai Hind !