Governor, CM greet people on Teachers' Day

Chandigarh, Sep 4: Governor S F Rodrigues and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal have extended their greetings to people on the eve of Teachers' Day, coinciding with the birth anniversary of former President, late Dr Sarvpalli Radha Krishnan.

General (retd.), who is also Administrator of Chandigarh Union Territory, called upon the teachers to mould students into confident and competent individuals to contribute to the New India.

"Our teachers have a crucial role to play in this national endeavour by combining the academic pursuits with values of secularism and humanism" and producing good citizens who are not merely literate, he said.

The Governor reminded the teachers of life and philosophy of Dr S Radhakrishnan, noted educationist, statesman and a great philosopher to whom this occasion is dedicated.

He said Dr Radhakrishnan had a great love for the teaching profession and value system. The real homage to him would be to follow his path-breaking ideas, for a radical transformation of education system, suiting the changing global need.

The Governor said that this day also reminded us of our responsibility towards the teaching community and appealed to people to pay due respect to teachers and recognize their role in the process of nation building. He urged the people to contribute liberally to Teachers' Welfare Fund which is used for welfare of teachers.

Felicitating the teaching fraternity, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in a separate message called upon them to become a 'role model' to impart value-based quality education to the students.

He exhorted them make all out efforts to infuse the noble qualities of discipline, righteousness, truthfulness, sense of integrity and high character amongst the students.

Mr Badal said that after the mother, it was the teacher who leaves an indelible impression on the mind of a child that could never be wiped out with the passage of time. "The real tribute to Dr Radha Krishnan on this solemn occasion as a teacher would be to discharge our duties with utmost dedication, sincerity and commitment", he said. The Chief Minister said the SAD-BJP Government was committed to provide quality education to the students and the concept of setting up of Adarsh Schools across the state was a right step in this direction.

He appealed to people to pay due respect and recognition to the teachers as they perform a sagacious duty of nation builder in shaping the destiny of the country.

Punjab Education Minister, Dr Upinderjit Kaur, also extended her greetings to the teaching fraternity on the occasion.

UNI