President of India Inaugurates ‘be a Teacher’ Programme at Rashtrapati Bhavan Today

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the ‘Be A Teacher’ programme of Delhi Government on the eve of Teachers’ Day at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (September 4, 2015). The President took a class for students of XI and XII on the subject of political history of India in Dr. Rajendra Prasad Sarvodaya Vidyalaya in the President’s Estate.

Addressing the students, the President said he had been a teacher of Political Science in Presidency College of Kolkata. He was happy to go back to his role as a teacher after many years on the eve of Teachers’ Day. He also fondly recollected his days as a student. He said over the years, there has been a sea change in the education system.He described the evolution of our multi-party democracy and said that he had seen many events unfolding before his eyes and marvelled at Indian democracy. Democracy gives opportunity to common people to fulfill their aspirations.It was because of democracy that he could reach the Raisina Hill. What students learn in the formative stage of their lives has a permanent impact on their minds. Perhaps his best teacher was his mother who instilled in him the importance of our ancient civilizational values.

The President also addressed teachers of schools of Delhi Government on the occasion. He extended warm greetings to the teaching fraternity and remembered Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan who made momentous contribution in shaping the education sector in modern India.

The President said India is known as the land of Gurus. Guru-Shishya parampara is one of the basic tenets of our civilizational values. Education is the alchemy that can take India to its next golden age. Quoting Dr. Radhakrishnan, the President said that "Education should be imparted with a view to the type of society that we wish to build. We are working for a modern democracy built on the values of human dignity and equality. These are only ideals; we should make them living forces.”

The President said teachers are like the soft and skillful hands of a potter. They mould the destiny of thousands of students, in turn shaping the future of a nation. He has met many inspired teachers who are influencing the lives of their students. The President said teaching as a profession must receive the respect and recognition that it deserves. He lamented that there is dearth of qualified teachers in many Universities and expressed the need to attract the best brains to the teaching profession.

The President called upon teachers to re-dedicate themselves to the cause of re-building society on the occasion of Teachers’ Day.

Under the ‘Be a Teacher’ programme of Delhi Government, successful leaders from all walks of life - Judiciary, Civil Services, Media, Medicine, Entrepreneurship etc– will volunteer themselves to spare some quality time to share their experiences with students of government schools. It is expected that the initiative will not only motivate teachers but also persuade the youth to adopt teaching as a profession.

This Press Release issued at 1756 hrs.