SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh Governor Shri Kavinder Gupta on Saturday conferred State Awards on 32 teachers and honoured one teacher with the National Award for 2025 at the State-level Teachers’ Day function held at Lok Bhavan, Shimla.
Congratulating the awardees, the Governor said teachers, parents and students all have an important role in strengthening the education system. He said teachers must remain sensitive to their responsibility of imparting both education and values to make the teaching-learning process truly effective.
Paying tributes to former President, eminent educationist and philosopher Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan on his birth anniversary, Gupta said teachers play a vital role in shaping not only the future of students but also that of the nation.
“A teacher builds values, character and confidence and gives direction to the lives of students. The future of any nation takes shape in its classrooms, and teachers are the ones who shape it,” he said.
Highlighting the role of quality education in nation-building, the Governor said active and meaningful participation of youth would be essential for realising the vision of Viksit Bharat-2047. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accorded high priority to quality, inclusive and value-based education.
Referring to the National Education Policy 2020, Gupta said education was no longer confined to examinations and degrees and was increasingly focused on knowledge, skills, creativity, innovation, research and character building.
He said initiatives such as PM SHRI Schools, NIPUN Bharat, Samagra Shiksha, Digital Education and Atal Tinkering Labs were helping students develop scientific temper and 21st-century skills.
The Governor said the role of teachers had become even more important in an era of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Digital Technology. While technology could facilitate learning, he said, the inspiration, guidance, affection and values provided by a teacher could never be replaced.
Appreciating Himachal Pradesh’s performance in the education sector, Gupta said the State had performed exceptionally well in the PARAKH National Survey and secured second position nationally in Foundational Literacy and Numeracy.
He expressed confidence that continued government efforts and the dedication of teachers would further strengthen Himachal Pradesh as a leading State in quality, inclusive, innovative and future-ready education.
The Governor also released a souvenir on the occasion.
Govt Committed to Quality Education: Rohit Thakur
Education Minister Shri Rohit Thakur said the State Government was committed to strengthening the education sector with special emphasis on quality education.
He said Himachal Pradesh had made remarkable progress in education and its literacy rate had reached 100 per cent. More than 9,000 appointments had been made in the Education Department by the present government, he added.
Thakur said English was being introduced from Class I while local languages were also being promoted. He also highlighted rationalisation measures to address staff shortages and exposure programmes for students and teachers.
Document Success Stories of Teachers: Dharmani
Technical Education Minister Shri Rajesh Dharmani said the success stories of award-winning teachers should be documented and shared so that they could inspire others.
He said teachers had often gone beyond their prescribed responsibilities to bring positive changes in the lives of children and had a crucial role in realising the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Education Secretary Shri Rakesh Kanwar welcomed the Governor, while Director, School Education, Shri Ashish Kohli proposed the vote of thanks.
Students of GSSS Portmore and RKMV presented a cultural programme during the function.
Mayor, Municipal Corporation Shimla, Shri Surender Chauhan, Principal Secretary Technical Education Dr Abhishek Jain, Deputy Mayor Smt Uma Kaushal, Secretary to the Governor Shri Sandeep Bhardwaj, Director Higher Education Smt Suneeta Singh and other dignitaries were present.
