Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 5 Sept: Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd) honoured 19 teachers selected for the Shailesh Matiyani State Educational Awards 2025 at an award ceremony organised at Lok Bhavan on the occasion of Teachers’ Day. The Governor presented the awards to all the recipients and congratulated them, extending his best wishes for their continued contribution to education.
Extending his greetings on Teachers’ Day, the Governor said that a teacher is not merely a professional, but a mentor who guides generations and shapes the future of the nation. Along with imparting knowledge, teachers instil values in students, recognise their talents and guide them towards the right path in life. He said that being selected for this honour from among thousands of teachers is itself a significant achievement.
Lt Gen Singh said that a teacher’s success cannot be measured merely by how many students in the classroom secure good marks. The true success of a teacher lies in seeing a child from an ordinary family move forward and become a source of pride for the nation, while acknowledging that the confidence to dream and to achieve those dreams came from the teacher. He said that recognising the potential hidden within a student, instilling self-confidence and giving them the courage to move forward are among the most important contributions of a teacher.
He said that the sensitive Hindi literary writer and storyteller, Shailesh Matiyani, gave a powerful voice through his writings to the lives, struggles and emotions of ordinary people of the hills. The award named after him is a recognition of the dedication, struggle, sensitivity and social responsibility of teachers.
The Governor said that the objective of education is not merely to impart information, but to develop in children the ability to think, understand, question and make sound decisions. He emphasised that the education of the future must integrate the power of technology with the sensitivity of teachers. While technology can provide new opportunities for learning, it is the teacher who will guide students in using those opportunities in the right direction.
He said that connecting children with their roots alongside modern knowledge is also an important responsibility of teachers. Our folk culture, environment, traditions and Himalayan way of life constitute an invaluable heritage. The integration of modern education with cultural awareness can help children develop into confident, sensitive and balanced individuals.
The Governor said that a school should be a place where children come with enthusiasm rather than fear, and where asking questions is regarded not as a weakness but as the beginning of learning. Every child should receive equal opportunities to progress. He said that it is the responsibility of teachers to encourage children to dream big and give them the courage to turn those dreams into reality.
Calling upon teachers to go beyond subject knowledge, the Governor urged them to teach students the art of living, values along with knowledge, sensitivity along with success, and the spirit of “Nation First.” He said that a true teacher leads a student from ignorance to knowledge and from despair to hope.
Education Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat said that selecting 19 teachers from among approximately 70,000 teachers for the Shailesh Matiyani State Educational Awards was a challenging task. Congratulating all the selected teachers, he said that the honour is a recognition of their outstanding work and dedication to education.
He said that the award is presented in the name of renowned literary writer and storyteller Shailesh Matiyani. Shailesh Matiyani made a significant contribution to enriching Hindi literature and authored more than 100 books. He announced that major works of Shailesh Matiyani would be made available in school libraries across the state so that students can become familiar with his literature and writings and connect with Uttarakhand’s literary and cultural heritage.
Present on the occasion were Additional Secretary to the Governor Reena Joshi, Additional Secretary, Education Namami Bansal, Director General of Education Aakanksha Konde, along with other officers of the Education Department and teachers.
Elementary Education Category
Vishnupal Singh Negi — Pauri Garhwal
Lakhpat Singh Rawat — Chamoli
Prithvi Singh Rawat — Uttarkashi
Virendra Singh Rawat — Dehradun
Robin Kumar — Haridwar
Maheshwar Prasad Semwal — Tehri
Shashikant Nautiyal — Rudraprayag
Zaheer Abbas — Champawat
Nau Singh — Udham Singh Nagar
Dr. Shweta Majgai — Nainital
Vikram Singh Parihar — Pithoragarh
Trilok Singh Adhikari — AlmoraSecondary Education Category
Narendra Singh Negi — Pauri Garhwal
Dr. Suman Dhyani Sharma — Chamoli
Dr. Atul Kumar Srivastava — Dehradun
Kamlesh Panwar — Haridwar
Naveen Chandra Pant — Champawat
Vishan Singh Mehta — NainitalTraining Institution Category
Dr. Subodh Singh Bisht — UttarkashiSpecial Honour — National Teachers’ Award Winner
Manjubala — Champawat
