Anti-social behaviour overtaking crass commercialism : PM

New Delhi, Sep 4 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today regretted that crass commercialism and anti-social behaviour was overtaking ''our educational institutions''- on the eve of Teachers' Day being celebrated under the shadow of the murder of a professor in Ujjain last week.

Dr Singh met the National Awardee teachers, who called on him at his official residence at 7 Race Course Road here.

Besides, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, Tamil Nadu Governor S S Barnala and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, Gujarat Governor Nawal Kishore and Uttar Pradesh Governor T V Rajeswar also conveyed their warm greetings and best wishes to teachers on the eve of Teachers' Day celebrations.

Dr Singh said he was ''deeply pained'' by the death of a professor in Ujjain at the hands of unruly students and some anti-social elements who pretended to be students.

''I urge every parent in our country to teach their children the value of the idea of ''Acharya Devo Bhava'' (teacher is God).

Conveying his felicitations to each of those who were chosen for the best teacher award from Andhra Pradesh this year, Mr Reddy, in a message, said, ''Teaching is a noble profession and a teacher is adored as a torch-bearer for society since times immemorial in our country.'' On this occasion teachers as well as students should rededicate themselves to work hard with best standards in pursuit of knowledge, so that every student emerges as a role model citizen with a strong national character, he added.

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