New Delhi/Bhubaneswar, Sep 5: On the occasion of Teachers’ Day, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious National Teachers’ Awards 2025 to 81 outstanding educators from across the country, including two from Odisha. The ceremony, held in New Delhi, celebrated the birth anniversary of former President and philosopher Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

President Droupadi Murmu conferred National Awards on teachers from across the country at a function held in New Delhi on Teachers’ Day. The President said that building the character of students is the primary duty of a teacher. She urged teachers to pay special attention to all… pic.twitter.com/eZpFVUeUYg

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 5, 2025

A Tribute to Teachers’ Role in Nation-Building
President Murmu emphasized the importance of teachers as moral guides and mentors, stating that their influence extends beyond academics to shaping values and character. She noted that while smart classrooms and digital tools are valuable, it is “smart teachers” who truly make learning meaningful. Their ability to understand students’ needs and teach with empathy is what drives real progress.

Dharmendra Pradhan Applauds Teachers’ Innovation
Speaking on the occasion, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan thanked the President for guiding the teaching community and highlighted the role of educators in advancing the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP). He commended the awardees for their inspiring teaching styles and their efforts to make learning joyful and inclusive. “Teachers are not just instructors—they teach us how to think, live, and serve the nation,” he said.

Odisha’s Pride: Basanta Kumar Rana and Tarun Kumar Das
Among the awardees were Basanta Kumar Rana from Malkangiri and Tarun Kumar Das from Koraput, recognized for their dedication and innovative teaching methods in remote tribal regions. Their efforts in making education engaging and stress-free have been widely appreciated.

Minister Pradhan extended his congratulations to both teachers via social media, praising their commitment to transforming lives through education.

‘ଗୁରୁ ଦିବସ’ ଅବସରରେ ମାନ୍ୟବର ରାଷ୍ଟ୍ରପତିଙ୍କ ଦ୍ୱାରା ସମ୍ମାନଜନକ ‘ଜାତୀୟ ଶିକ୍ଷକ ପୁରସ୍କାର- ୨୦୨୫’ରେ ସମ୍ମାନିତ ହୋଇଥିବା ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ବସନ୍ତ କୁମାର ରଣା ଓ ତରୁଣ କୁମାର ଦାଶଙ୍କୁ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା । ମାଲକାନଗିରି ଓ କୋରାପୁଟ ଭଳି ଉପାନ୍ତ ଅଞ୍ଚଳରେ ଛାତ୍ରଛାତ୍ରୀମାନଙ୍କୁ ଅଭିନବ ଶିକ୍ଷା ପ୍ରଦାନ କରିବା ଦିଗରେ ଆପଣମାନଙ୍କ ଭଳି ଶିକ୍ଷକଙ୍କ… pic.twitter.com/tVWGTVItXh

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) September 5, 2025

A Call to Empower Education
The Minister also paid tribute to Dr. Radhakrishnan, stating that teachers must be recognized not only for imparting knowledge but for nurturing responsible citizens. He reiterated that the commitment of educators is crucial to realizing India’s goal of becoming a global knowledge superpower.