Sylvester D’Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur

Kundapur, Sep 5: India has been celebrating Teacher's Day on September 5, since 1962. The day commemorates the birthday of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakhrishnan, a philosopher and a teacher par excellence, and his contributions towards Indian education system. Dr Radhakhrishnan believed that ‘teachers should be the best minds in the country’. On this day, we gratefully remember the great educationist, apart from honoring all the teachers who have made our life much more knowledgeable and fulfilled, serving as beacons of light.

The birthday of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakhrishnan came to be celebrated as Teacher's Day after some of his students and friends requested him to allow them to celebrate his birthday. In reply, Dr Radhakrishnan said, "Instead of celebrating my birthday separately, it would be my proud privilege if September 5th is celebrated as Teacher's day". From then onwards, Dr Radhakrishnan's birthday is clebrated as Teachers Day all across India.

The department of general education, Udupi zilla panchayat, Kundapur zone celebrated Teachers Day with utmost joy and respect at R N Shetty Hall, near Shastri Circle, here on Wednesday September 5. 25 retired teachers were felicitated with memento, garland and a shawl on the occasion.

The programme began with a prayer song by Meghana B.

B Shankar Shetty, president of taluk panchayat, Kundapur presided.

Ganapathi T Shriyaan, member of zilla panchayat inaugurated the programme. “Teaching is the best service to the society. Teacher's play an important role in moulding the future of students. Udupi district is doing a great job”, he said.

Prakash Mendon, Mamata R Shetty, Ananath Mowadi, Manju Billawa , Deepak Kumar  Shetty, Laxman, Shobha Shetty were present on the dais.

Gopal Shetty B O welcomed the gathering. Shobha Shetty delivered the vote of thanks.

Venugopal Hegde and Santhosh kumar Shetty anchored the programme.