President of India inaugurates ‘Be A Teacher’ programme at Rashtrapati Bhavan

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. 

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President’s greetings on the Eve of Teachers’ Day 

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has greeted teachers throughout the country on the eve of Teachers’ Day. 

In his message, the President has said, “Teachers’ Day is a special occasion when we honour our teachers who are practitioners of one of the noblest professions and whose dharma is to impart wisdom. 

Teachers mould the destiny of students and impart wisdom and learning to our future generations. Our tradition of Guru Shishya parampara calls upon teachers to impart their deepest knowledge to students and inculcate in them a sense of discipline, dedication and commitment to the service of our motherland. 

An inspired teacher is value-oriented, mission-driven, self-motivated and result-oriented. He links the individual goals of students to national goals and enables them achieve their full potential. 

Teaching as a profession must receive respect and recognition from society. Teachers must be made to feel that their contribution and devotion to students is appreciated. We must have an environment that fosters creativity and recognizes merit amongst teachers. 

On this occasion, I express my gratitude to all teachers, across the length and breadth of our country. I extend my greetings and felicitations and wish them every success in their noble endeavours”. 

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President’s greetings on the Eve of Janmashtami 

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee in his message on the eve of Janmashtami has said:- 

“On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, I extend hearty greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens. 

Let us on this day imbibe the teachings of Lord Krishna which proclaim the triumph of virtue and righteousness over intolerance and narrowness of mind. 

On this day, may all of us reaffirm our commitment to pursue the path of duty without concern for reward and re-dedicate ourselves to the progress and prosperity of our diverse and multi-cultural nation”. 

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e President Greets People on Janamashtami 

The Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari has extended his warm greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Janamashtami. In his message, he has said that celebrated across the country with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm, Janamashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna and reminds us of his life and teachings. Lord Krishna’s eternal message of spiritual wisdom, the Bhagwad Geeta has been a source of inspiration for the entire mankind.

Following is the text of Vice President’s message :

“I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Janamashtami.

            Celebrated across the country with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm, Janamashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna and reminds us of his life and teachings. Lord Krishna’s eternal message of spiritual wisdom, the Bhagwad Geeta has been a source of inspiration for the entire mankind.

            May this auspicious day bring peace, amity, harmony and prosperity in our lives.”

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PM to visit Bodh Gaya tomorrow


The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, will visit Bodh Gaya tomorrow. 

In the course of the visit, the Prime Minister will visit the Mahabodhi Temple and the Holy Bo Tree. He will also inaugurate the Exhibition "Chetiya Carika: The Pilgrimage and Quest for Truth." 

The Prime Minister's visit to Bodh Gaya coincides with Day 3 of SAMVAD – the Global Hindu Buddhist Initiative on Conflict Avoidance and Environment Consciousness, during which the delegates for this event will be present at Bodh Gaya. 

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PM's informal interaction with National Awardee Teachers' on the eve of Teachers' Day


The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today interacted informally with national awardee teachers, on the eve of Teachers' Day. 

The Prime Minister exhorted the awardee teachers to continually strive towards improving the quality of education in the country. 

The Prime Minister said that teachers should keep abreast of technology, and imbibe it judiciously as part of the teaching routine. He urged the teachers to encourage creativity among the students. 

Shri Narendra Modi also called upon the teachers to inculcate the habits of cleanliness (Swachhta) among their students. 

Union Minister for Human Resource Development Smt. Smriti Irani, and Union MoS (HRD) Dr. Ram Shankar Katheria were present on the occasion. 

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PM interacts with school children on the eve of Teachers' Day 

PM releases commemorative coin on Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and launches Kala Utsav website


The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today interacted with school children from across the country, on the eve of Teachers' Day. In a unique event anchored entirely by school children themselves, the Prime Minister released commemorative coins of denomination Rs. 125, and Rs. 10, to mark the birth anniversary of India's second President, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. The Prime Minister also launched the website for Kala Utsav, an initiative of Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) to promote arts in education by nurturing and showcasing the artistic talent of school students at the secondary stage in the country. 

In his opening remarks on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that there is a special significance of interacting with school children on the eve of Teachers' Day. He said a teacher is known by the accomplishments of his students. He said that while a mother gives birth, it is the teacher who actually provides life. 

The Prime Minister explained that the teacher and the student, both have a unique importance for each other. He said that teachers should also write about their experiences with various children. He said teachers consider all students as important, and should remember them all – not just the ones who excelled academically. 

The Prime Minister recalled former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, and said Dr. Kalam wanted to be remembered as a teacher. He said that Dr. Kalam had a passion for teaching, and he was interacting with students even upto the final moments of his life. 

The Prime Minister said India had great teachers even today, who were helping to create engineers, doctors and scientists that were making a mark globally. He said the aim of teachers should be to avoid creating robots, but to nurture an entire generation. 

Union Minister for Human Resource Development Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, and Union Ministers of State Shri Upendra Kushwaha, Shri Ram Shankar Katheria, and Shri Jayant Sinha were present on the occasion.