Teachers: The Force Behind Viksit Bharat

New Delhi, September 05, 2026 President Droupadi Murmu honoured teachers from across India with the National Awards at a Teachers’ Day function in the National Capital, placing education at the heart of the country’s vision for a developed India. She said academic excellence, skill development and entrepreneurship are crucial to national progress, with the goal of making India a global skill capital and a knowledge superpower among the country’s major priorities. Calling education the strongest tool for ensuring equality of opportunity, the President appreciated the contribution of teachers in helping India achieve a negligible primary school dropout rate. According to the President’s Secretariat, their dedicated efforts have played an important role in this significant national achievement. Highlighting the importance of early education, President Murmu said that school education forms the foundation of the entire system. “While knowledge and skills can be acquired at any time, imparting lessons in good conduct during childhood proves far more effective. By diligently focusing on the intellectual, physical, and moral development of children in the early grades, teachers can prepare future generations of excellent students and dutiful citizens,” the President said. She also pointed to the different challenges faced by students, including those from economically disadvantaged families, first-generation learners, children shifting from village schools to city schools, shy students, those struggling with confidence despite their talent, and children with special needs. The President said teachers have a special responsibility to build confidence and uplift every student who may feel inadequate for any reason. Linking education directly with the vision of Viksit Bharat, President Murmu said a developed India can only be built through a world-class education system. “Our teachers breathe life into the education system. We must strive to ensure that not a single student in our country is deprived of opportunities for quality education. She emphasised that our teachers should instill knowledge, inspiration, morality, and sensitivity in all students through their affection and dedication,” the President said. Her message underlined one powerful truth—India’s future will be shaped in its classrooms, and teachers will remain at the centre of that journey.