‘Teachers should not generate fear in students, have duty to guide them’: President Murmu

NEW DELHI: A teacher’s conduct should not generate fear and anxiety among students, as educators help shape their destinies and have a duty to guide them to become good human beings, President Droupadi Murmu said on the occasion of Teachers’ Day 2026.

Marking the occasion, President Murmu has written an article in which she extended greetings to the nation’s teachers, conveying gratitude on behalf of all Indians to those who “instil knowledge, skills, values and motivation in crores of students.”

In her article, President Murmu recalled that Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the second President of India, had wished that his birthday be observed as Teachers’ Day.

“Parents and guardians .. believe that the teachers will treat the children as their own and take utmost care of the child’s safety and development. It is the dharma of every teacher to uphold this sacred trust placed in them.” — President Droupadi Murmu writes an article on the… pic.twitter.com/x34M2AWh9d

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 5, 2026

“He was an intellectual of international repute, a renowned author and an esteemed statesman, yet he regarded his role as a teacher as the most important of all. Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, one of India’s most beloved former Presidents, was once asked whether he thought people would remember him more as a scientist or as a President. Dr Kalam replied that he would like to be remembered as a teacher,” she wrote.

Drawing on India’s ancient texts, the President said teachers have always been taught to love their students as their own children.  “They should treat them all equally and fairly, they should not lose their temper on students, they should remain patient, keep the well-being of their students foremost, and teach them according to their ability to learn,” the President wrote, referring to the timeless message of “Acharyadevo Bhava” from the Shikshavalli in the Taittiriya Upanishad, given nearly three millennia ago.

Reflecting on her own life, President Murmu shared that she had been guided by many wise and affectionate teachers, some of whom taught students beyond school hours and cared for them personally.

“After completing Class-VII, I was the first girl to venture out of the village to pursue further studies. Later, while studying in Bhubaneswar too, I was blessed to receive abundant love and encouragement from my teachers. I mention my teachers here with humility, because their story illustrates a profound truth: a loving and dedicated teacher can awaken limitless potential and inspiration within a student,” she wrote, adding that such encouragement gives students the courage to face life’s toughest challenges and the confidence to pursue the loftiest goals.

The President also cited Mahakavi Kalidas’s play “Malavikagnimitram,” which describes a good teacher as one who possesses “profound knowledge and the ability to transmit it effectively”. She referred to the Sanskrit maxim, “Sarvatra vijayam icchet, shishyat icchet parajayam”, which means that one may wish for victory everywhere except before one’s own student, where one should wish to be defeated.

“Teaching is not merely a vocation; it is a vow. It is more than a career or a job; it is the sacred task of shaping humanity. It is the noble responsibility of illuminating the path for generations to come,” she wrote.

President Murmu shared fond memories of her own years as a teacher at the Sri Aurobindo Integral School in Rairangpur, Odisha, where she helped students prepare for musical performances, sports and plays, and organised Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations.

“I also found great satisfaction and meaning in taking students on picnics to beautiful natural surroundings and, through play and exploration, introducing them to the world of animals, birds, trees and plants. Years after leaving school, my students still invite me to their family celebrations and share their joys with me,” she wrote.

“A teacher’s attitude, conduct and behaviour should not generate fear and anxiety in the children, break their morale or allow any sense of inferiority to develop. Good teachers help their students become the best versions of themselves. It is the sacred duty of teachers to guide their students to be good human beings,” the President added.

The President said that students who achieve prosperity and glory while remaining ethical in their conduct are the truest reflection of a teacher’s success.  “I make an appeal: always hold our commited and sincere teachers in the highest esteem,” the President wrote.

President Murmu also conferred the National Awards to Teachers (NAT) on 21 teachers and faculty members from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and polytechnics at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan on the occasion of Teachers’ Day 2026.

Watch #LIVE as the Hon’ble President, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, confers the National Teachers Awards 2026 on 82 educators. #NationalAwardToTeachers https://t.co/y5VmNOmvUg

— Ministry of Education (@EduMinOfIndia) September 5, 2026

According to a release from the Ministry of Education, this year, 12 teachers/faculties from central HEIs, five from state universities including three government and two private colleges, and four from polytechnics including two government and two private polytechnics, have been selected for the Awards.

Nominations for NAT 2026 were invited in the online mode through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal and included provisions for self, institutional and peer nominations as part of Jan Bhagidari. Nominations were invited from May 26 to July 20.

The Award is conferred on exemplary teachers/faculty members, and the selection is based on their performance, as adjudged against several parameters including teaching-learning effectiveness, outreach activities, research and innovation, and sponsored research/faculty development programmes/consultancy teaching.

Among the recipients, Dr Jayrajsinh Sarvaiya, Professor, Dean of Forensic Pharmacy, and Center Head for Drug and Food Forensics at the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), said that receiving the award is a great honour.

“It is always a matter of pleasure and pride for us. It is not only recognition of our effort, but it is also the recognition of the place where we are working… recognition of the effort that we are putting in over the long years and the hard work everyone is doing. If it is recognised by the government itself, then it shows what the culture of this country is. We hope that we will be able to do more good deeds for this country in the coming years,” he told said.

The selection process involves two stages: an initial evaluation and shortlisting by a Preliminary Search-cum-Screening Committee, followed by final selection of awardees from the shortlisted nominees by a Jury Committee.

The award category for HEIs and polytechnics was instituted in 2023; prior to that, the National Awards to Teachers were conferred only on school teachers. The expansion was carried out in alignment with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which called for rewards and recognition mechanisms to foster a culture of excellence across the education ecosystem.

Teachers’ Day is celebrated across India every year on September 5 to honour teachers and recognise their contribution to education and nation-building. The day marks the birth anniversary of former President Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a renowned philosopher, scholar and teacher. His contribution to education and public life is remembered on the occasion.

Teachers’ Day provides an opportunity for students to express their gratitude and respect towards their teachers, who play an important role in imparting knowledge, nurturing talent and shaping the character of students. Schools and educational institutions across the country mark the occasion with various programmes and activities to acknowledge the contribution of teachers. (ANI)