Shillong, Sept 05: President of India, Droupadi Murmu, conferred National Awards on teachers from across the country at a function held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on the occasion of Teachers’ Day on Tuesday.

From Meghalaya, Timothy Jhones Dhar and Madhav Singh received National Teachers’ Award 2023 from the President.

Timothy Dhar is an instructor for Mechanic Motor Vehicle in a Govt. Industrial Training Institute, Shillong. Since the last 25 years, Dhar has been imparting advanced practical training despite limited resources. He is using his innovative mind and techniques in his method of teaching. Because of his dedication, his trainees have received excellent employment opportunities in various motor factories and workshops both in and out of the state of Meghalaya. Some of his trainees have secured very good positions in All India Trade Test exams. He also received Kaushalacharya awards during 2019-20. He has a patient and positive attitude and never shies away from challenges. In him the trainees find a true mentor.

Madhav Singh, who is a Science teacher at Alpha English Higher Secondary School, Ri Bhoi, Meghalaya expressed his happiness on receiving the award. Singh is a resource person in National Children’s Science Congress and is actively involved in popularizing science among young children. As a coordinator of Green club, he is instrumental in organizing environmental protection activities. He has also authored a book on health education. He received the State best teacher award in 2021. Singh termed his achievement as a remarkable one and expressed his gratitude to everyone. He said, “Well, I am very much excited. The day when I received the message that I am getting National Teachers’ Award 2023, I got emotional. I thank God for this wonderful achievement and dedicate this Award to my parents, my Principal, Vice- Principal, teachers, colleagues, my dear students, my village people (Nongpoh), Ri Bhoi District and all the people of Meghalaya for this recognition given and it is all because of people of Meghalaya.”

Speaking about his journey as a teacher, Singh said that it all started from the year 2000 when he had just completed his college studies. Speaking about the turn of events that led to choosing teaching as a career, he said, “After completing my B.Sc from Shankar Dev College Shillong I was waiting for my result in 2000. Then one of my teachers was deputed for B.Ed training from R.B.P Secondary School, Nongpoh, so I had to officiate him for one year. After that my classmate Malvin Passah, who is now a Pastor, requested me to teach in Alpha English Higher Secondary School, Nongpoh in 2001 and automatically, I don’t know what happened, I just continued teaching and I have been teaching in the same school Alpha English Higher Secondary School Nongpoh till date.”

Speaking about his passion for Science and how he developed the interest for the subject, Singh said he had special interest for Science from his school and various conducive environments since those days helped him in developing his interest. He also said, “Right from the time when I was a student at the DC of Ri Bhoi District Shri K.N.Kumar started organising science exhibitions and competitions during 1992-93 and as a student of R.B.P. School, Nongpoh I have enjoyed science exhibitions since then. When I was appointed as a teacher, I helped my students to make science models and take keen interest in science. I am thankful to the State Council of Science, Technology and Environment which helped inculcate scientific temperament in me and I too develop the same to my students.”

Terming Science as one of the most interesting subjects, Singh said that the teacher should teach in the most simple method and make the learning a fun experience. He added, “First of all in students’ minds Science is a tough subject. So we should teach the subject in a simple method where students can understand your teaching. Conduct experiments while teaching and make students feel that it is not a tough subject. Science is actually an interesting subject and every child must have scientific knowledge which helps in understanding the subject scientifically.” He exhorted young teachers to give their best in teaching Science, as he said, “You dedicate yourself in teaching and Enlighten the light of science education in the young buds.”

He encouraged students to carry on with their studies honestly and also urged parents to give full cooperation to their children and help them in realising their career, and he said, “Preparation and practice makes a student perfect.”

The purpose of the National Teachers’ Award is to celebrate the unique contribution of teachers in the country and to honor those teachers who, through their commitment and dedication, have not only improved the quality of education but also enriched the lives of their students. Each award carries a certificate of merit, a cash award of Rs. 50,000 and a silver medal.

Speaking on the occasion, the President Droupadi Murmu said that elementary education has fundamental importance in anyone’s life. She added that many educationists speak about the three-H formula for the balanced development of children in which the first H is Heart, the second H is Head and the third H is Hand. She shared that heart is related to sensitivity, human values, strength of character and morality. She added that head or brain is related to mental development, reasoning power and reading and hand is related to respect for manual skills and physical labour. She said that all-round development of children would be possible only by emphasizing on such a holistic approach.

The President emphasised that in view of the women participation in teaching profession, the number of female teachers receiving Teachers’ awards should be higher. Encouraging female students and teachers is very important for women empowerment, she emphasized.

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