New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Teachers Awards on 48 school teachers at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Saturday as the country observed Teachers’ Day on September 5.Among the awardees was Padaraj Umakanta Nayak from Odisha, who is serving at Odisha Government High School, Alipingal, in Jagatsinghpur district. He received the prestigious award from President Murmu during the ceremony.Padaraj Umakanta Nayak is an innovative and committed educator with over two decades of service, dedicated to transforming rural education through STEM, experiential learning, innovation and community participation, the Ministry of Education said on X. He has guided students to develop 50+ prototypes, including a low-cost automatic plate-washing machine for which a student received a Government of India patent. His exemplary contribution has earned the Odisha Mukhyamantri Sikhya Puraskar 2023 (Top Rank) and Prakruti Bandhu Award 2021.Short documentaries showcasing the exemplary work, achievements and innovative practices of each awardee were also screened during the event, highlighting their contributions to school education and the impact they have made in the lives of their students.Addressing the gathering, President Murmu expressed her gratitude to the teaching community and recalled the role her own teachers played in shaping her life.“I feel happy to be here among the teachers. I still recall my teachers; it was due to their love and affection that I succeeded in life and am standing here today,” she said.The President also fondly remembered the students she taught at the Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre in Rairangpur, Odisha.“I also remember my students whom I taught at the Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre in Rairangpur, Odisha. I have also learned a great deal from my students. I consider the love and affection I received from my students to be one of the greatest achievements of my life,” she said.President Murmu also paid tribute to Savitribai Phule for her pioneering contribution to education, particularly the education of girls.The National Teachers Awards are organised every year by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education to recognise outstanding teachers from across the country. The awards acknowledge educators whose dedication, innovation and sustained efforts have contributed to improving the quality of school education and enriching the lives of students.For the 2026 awards, eligible teachers were invited to submit online self-nominations through the Ministry of Education’s portal. The nomination process was conducted from June 15 to July 20.A total of 48 teachers were selected through a rigorous three-stage selection process at the District, State and National levels. The awardees represent 27 States, seven Union Territories and six Central Government organisations.Of the 48 awardees, 26 are male and 22 are female, reflecting the participation of educators from different regions and administrative areas of the country.The National Teachers Awards seek to encourage excellence, innovation and commitment in teaching while recognising educators who have created better learning environments and contributed significantly to improved educational outcomes.The award ceremony also provided an opportunity to showcase the diverse contributions of the selected teachers through documentaries highlighting their work and the difference they have made in the lives of their students.
Odisha teacher among 48 conferred National Teachers Awards; Prez Murmu recalls lessons learnt from students
