President Urges Teachers to Build Generations with a Scientific Outlook and a ‘Nation First’ Spirit

President Droupadi Murmu has called on India’s teachers to shape students who combine a scientific outlook with a “nation first” spirit, while remaining grounded in ethics and concern for humanity.

In an article published for Teachers’ Day, titled “Shaping Minds; Building the Future,” Murmu described teaching as a sacred duty. She urged educators to help students value India’s cultural heritage and traditions, work for human welfare, protect the environment and all living creatures, and pursue individual and collective excellence.

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As we advance on this journey, I want our teachers to shape generations of students who value the richness of our cultural heritage and traditions; who develop a scientific outlook and work for the welfare of humanity; who uphold the ideal of Antyodaya; who protect the environment and all living creatures; who strive for individual and collective excellence, and who move forward with the spirit of 'nation first'.

The president said parents and guardians place their highest trust in teachers when they send their children to school. Teachers, she wrote, must treat children as their own and safeguard their safety and development. Their conduct should not create fear or anxiety, damage morale or foster feelings of inferiority.

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They believe that the teachers will treat the children as their own and take utmost care of the child's safety and development. It is the dharma of every teacher to uphold this sacred trust placed in them.

Murmu highlighted independent thinking as one of the most rewarding parts of teaching. Educators should encourage curiosity, invite questions, strengthen students’ ability to reason and judge, and help them become independent individuals. Such education, she said, can produce successful entrepreneurs, brilliant scientists, creative artists and citizens capable of developing innovative responses to new challenges.

Drawing on her own experience, Murmu said a loving and dedicated teacher can awaken a student’s limitless potential. She asked citizens to hold committed teachers in the highest esteem and expressed hope that their contribution would help India continue to learn and eventually lead.

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To every citizen, I make an appeal: always hold our committed and sincere teachers in the highest esteem. I ardently wish that with the contribution of our dedicated teachers, India continues to learn and goes on to lead.