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.
Children of Delhi's Sardar Patel Vidyalaya are singing a song at the Teachers' Day programme. https://t.co/I8jovXoECQ
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
'Chandan Hai Mati' is being sung by the children of Delhi's Sardar Patel Vidyalaya. Watch. https://t.co/I8jovXoECQ
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
We pay tributes to Dr. Radhakrishnan and mark his birthday as Teachers' Day: PM @narendramodi https://t.co/I8jovXoECQ
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
A teacher can never retire: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
Youngsters did not live during the time of Dr. Radhakrishnan but you have seen Dr. Kalam. He always wanted to be remembered as a teacher: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
Being a teacher is not like any other career. It is something different: PM @narendramodi https://t.co/I8jovXoECQ
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
I bow to all the teachers. It is the teachers who make the generations: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
Who has been the biggest influence on you - the first question to PM @narendramodi by Malavath Purna.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
I don't think any one person makes a life. It is about having a receptive mind, people keep teaching us something or the other: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
You can learn something new even during a train journey. I have learnt a lot from my teachers. I spent lot of time in the library: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
Reading about Swami Vivekananda was a big influence: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
The next question is from Imphal- want to be a successful leader and contribute in politics. What personality and traits are needed.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
Good people and people from all walks of life are required in politics: PM @narendramodi https://t.co/I8jovXoECQ
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
Do you recall how people from all walks of life joined Mahatma Gandhi during freedom struggle. It benefitted the nation: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
Leadership quality is essential. You must also be clear why you want to be a leader: to fight elections only or to make a difference: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
Sarthak Bhardwaj from Uttarakhand asks PM - Digital India is a great effort but many places in India do not have electricity...
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
You are right, there are villages with no electricity. In next 1000 days we have taken up the effort to give power to 18,000 villages: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
Next question from Sonia Patil - what game do you enjoy. https://t.co/I8jovXoECQ
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
Whenever a woman shines on the sports field, the mother of the child has a very important contribution: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
A question from Bengaluru: what are the challenges on Swachh Bharat initiative? #MyCleanIndia
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
If school students are achieving so much, making Apps on Swachh Bharat & winning laurels then am sure India can be Swachh: PM #MyCleanIndia
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
Anmol from Patna asks the next question: what message for students wanting to give engineering and medical exams.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
Can serve the nation not only by joining the armed forces or being in politics. Several ways to contribute to nation building: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
Question from Bengaluru- why can't the youth take up teaching as a profession. How to make teaching more attractive to youth.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
I don't think India lacks good teachers: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/uisV4QjdmH
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
A question to the Prime Minister from Jammu and Kashmir - when you were a student what fascinated you the most?
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
Classroom gives a sense of mission and a sense of priority: PM @narendramodi https://t.co/I8jovXoECQ
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
Question to PM - you never use a written speech. How did you develop this mastery in oratory? pic.twitter.com/O0E0b8H9YQ
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
To speak well you need to be a good listener. And this will increase your confidence level: PM @narendramodi https://t.co/I8jovXoECQ
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015
Want to thank you all, and am happy children played a key role in this programme: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 4, 2015