Among the recipients were Manjubala, a headmistress from Uttarakhand who pioneered her school’s transformation into the district’s first English-medium institution, and two teachers from Odisha, recognised for their innovation and dedication in classrooms. In her address, President Murmu described education as fundamental to human dignity and social security, “as essential as food, clothing and shelter.” Recalling her own experience as a teacher, she lauded educators for their role in nation-building and called on them to align with the vision of the National Education Policy 2020 to make India a Global Knowledge Superpower.
“The world should recognise Indian teachers as the best in the world,” she said, urging continued innovation and compassion in classrooms. The National Awards to Teachers, presented annually on Teachers’ Day, highlight the diverse and transformative work of educators—from preserving traditional learning practices like palm-leaf manuscripts to achieving 100% pass rates in schools.
