By Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’
Teachers are not only providers of knowledge, they are the guides of our lives and the creators of our future. Many times I feel that I understood the importance of education from the difficult conditions of the Himalayas, where I travelled eight kilometres to get an education. This difficult journey made me realise the power of education. Later, when I started my career as a teacher, I not only realised the importance of education but also understood that the role of a teacher is not limited to books alone. Teachers are the foundation of life and play an important role in shaping the future of our society. First, I wish all the teachers a very Happy Teachers’ Day. I salute the resolution you have taken to build the nation, inspired by your brilliance, excellence, and spirit of dedication. Teachers’ Day is a special day when we express our gratitude to our teachers for building the future generation through their selfless services. Teachers are friends, philosophers and guides for their students.
Teachers’ Day is celebrated on the occasion of the birth anniversary of former President of India, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. We pay tribute to this great personality in memory of his contribution as a politician, scholar, philosopher, and great educationist. In my political journey, when I got the opportunity to become the Chief Minister of the state and the Education Minister of India, I resolved to shape education at every level so that India could emerge as a strong and self-reliant nation. Adopting the first India-centric world’s largest innovation-based National Education Policy was not an ordinary event, but it was an important step towards making India a global knowledge superpower. Being a teacher, I can proudly say that the real basis of the success of this policy is our teachers. Maharishi Arvind had said that teachers are the gardeners of the nation’s culture. They make our society cultured and powerful with their knowledge. Saint Kabir has considered the Guru to be greater than God because the Guru shows us the path to meet God. Today, the meaning of this quote becomes even deeper when we see that our teachers are not only imparting knowledge to the students but are also preparing them to face the challenges of life. Teachers are the pillars of the nation-building process. They inspire the new generation to become ethical, responsible, and productive citizens. Their contribution, though invisible, impacts every aspect of society. Teachers open the doors of opportunities and possibilities so that children in our society can fulfil their dreams. They sow the seeds of self-confidence and self-reliance in students, which help in building a strong and self-reliant India. The main objective of the National Education Policy is to establish India as a self-reliant nation, and this objective can be realised only by teachers. They awaken the spirit of self-reliance in students through education so that they can lay the foundation of self-reliance in their lives. Teachers are the ones who show the right direction to the students, prepare them for life, and inspire them to bring positive change in society. Great thinkers like Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam also recognised and respected the importance of teachers. If a country has to be corruption-free and a country of beautiful minds, then the role of a teacher is most important in it.
Importance of Teachers: Builders of Society
Teachers are among the most important members of our society. They not only educate children, but also give them a purpose in life, prepare them to be successful citizens and inspire them to succeed in life. Today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders, and teachers are the key points that prepare children for their future. Teachers can have a profound impact on students’ academic success, personal growth, and lifelong learning journey. They foster positive relationships among students and inspire them to reach their full potential. Through teaching, they lay the foundation of self-reliance and confidence in students, which plays an important role in building a strong and self-reliant India. The influence of teachers is not limited to education alone; they also play an important role in shaping the future of society. Teachers educate children in their most impressionable years, whether it is in pre-school, extra-curricular activities, sports, or traditional classrooms. Teachers can shape the next generation of leaders in a way that makes society positive and inspiring on both local and global levels. Teachers can make a significant difference in the lives of students. They can act as a support system that may be unavailable elsewhere in the students’ lives. They can become role models and a source of inspiration that motivates students to move forward and dream big. Teachers hold their students accountable for their failures and successes and good teachers never let their talented students be held back from reaching their full potential. Teaching is a tough job, but it is one field where you can make the most impact in another person’s life. Teachers not only spread knowledge, but they also play an active role in building society. They encourage creativity in students and motivate them to reach new heights. Teachers are the source of inspiration for society. They inspire children to adopt a positive attitude, work hard, and achieve their goals. By providing the right guidance and support for education, teachers contribute to building a better society, which is essential for economic and social development. Teachers not only shape the lives of children but also provide a strong foundation for society. Their contribution, though invisible, affects every aspect of society. Teachers are the bridge that connects children to their education and leads them toward a better future. On this Teachers’ Day, we all should express our gratitude to teachers, who not only shape our lives but also take the entire society in a positive direction. The dedication of teachers, their hard work, and their determination will help us emerge as a strong, self-reliant, and progressive nation. Today, our society and country are moving forward only due to the dedication and hard work of our teachers. Teachers are the architects of our tomorrow. They not only give a positive direction to our society but also lay the foundation for a strong and self-reliant India. On this Teachers’ Day, I salute all those teachers who showed the way forward to not only me but the entire country. Your dedication and your hard work make our future bright. Let us all together honour this invaluable contribution of teachers and give them the respect they truly deserve. Without the hard work and dedication of teachers, our dream of a self-reliant India is incomplete. Therefore, we should understand and respect their contribution, so that they can do even more excellent work in the field of education and take India to a new height in the world. Teachers can make India a world leader. Without a Guru, knowledge cannot be cultivated, salvation cannot be attained. Without a Guru, truth cannot be written, without a Guru, faults cannot be eradicated. The role of teachers is very important for the upliftment of the country, society, and world and our teachers are the central point of this education.
Fortunately, I have had the company of Dr Abdul Kalam. Dr. Abdul Kalam has written for teachers that – “Teaching is a great profession which shapes character, ability, and future. If people remember me as a good teacher, it will be the greatest honour for me.” Knowing the thoughts of Dr Kalam, former President of the country and a great scientist, definitely gives me the confidence that even today there is immense respect for teachers in our society. Only teachers can make the world a leader. If the credit for establishing India as a world leader in the olden times has to be given to anyone, then it can definitely be given to our teachers. The great tradition of Gurukuls and their dedication to acquiring knowledge and science was the main basis of our prosperity. Whether it is the subject of the Prime Minister’s creation of a new India or the resolution to establish India as a world leader, again, teachers are the foundation of it.
The government under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is determined to make India a global power through the new National Education Policy. The new National Education Policy is before us. In this, our focus is on quality, practical, technology-oriented, employment-oriented, innovative, cultured, and value-based education for the students. This is possible only when we have the best teachers. That is why the emphasis has been laid on the arrangement of training to prepare world-class teachers based on the best standards. It has been talked about teaching them soft skills. Whether it is school or higher education, capacity development training of teachers in a timely manner has been considered important. We are determined to establish our effective role in global competition by promoting research while making Indian cultural values and innovation the main basis.
Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan said, “Our democracy has become confused due to ignorance, discipline and disinterest. There are educational institutions but they do not have a cultural level. We are taught to read and write but not to think. Those who know better are afraid to speak. Our teacher will train us to think but if he does not have the ability to think then it is impossible to develop the potential of the children.”
The new National Education Policy is very grand and enthusiastic, but how will its practical implementation be ensured? This is a challenge. For all this, qualified teachers are needed. Such teachers are needed who are not only brilliant but also dedicated to their duty. Qualified teachers are the pillars of the progress and prosperity of the nation.
During their foreign tours, many schools, and universities are visited by teachers. I got a chance to see it closely and I understood that the main reason for the prosperity and success of countries like Finland, South Korea, Japan, Canada, Norway, Germany and America is high-quality education. If you talk about high-quality education, then the pillar of it is the best teacher and to become the best teacher, the best training is required. We are determined that our teachers should be world-class teachers and spread the fame of India all over the world.
We want teachers should choose to teach voluntarily, they should not become teachers out of compulsion. Becoming a teacher should be our priority. In the top economies of the world, teachers are trained on the lines of engineers, scientists and doctors and their economic, and social status is equal to these people. We are determined to give the respect that should be given to the building of the future of the nation. At the same time, our teachers need to work while taking full care of their dignity. I express my heartfelt gratitude and respect to our teachers and congratulate them for their successful efforts in helping future generations to become responsible citizens and good individuals.
(The author is former Education Minister of India and former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand).
