On the occasion of Teachers’ Day, 16 teachers from Uttarakhand were felicitated with the prestigious Shailesh Matiyani State Educational Award for 2024. The ceremony was held at Raj Bhavan, where Governor Lt. Gen. Gurmeet Singh honoured the awardees, comprising nine primary teachers, five secondary teachers, one teacher trainer, and one Sanskrit teacher.
Governor’s Message on Teachers’ Role
Congratulating the recipients, Governor Lt. Gen. Gurmeet Singh said the award symbolises the dedication and hard work of the teaching community. He emphasised that teachers are not only responsible for imparting knowledge but also for shaping character, morality, and values in children. The Governor highlighted that education should extend beyond employment to building responsible and patriotic citizens. He expressed confidence that the contribution of teachers would be pivotal in realising the vision of India as a global leader by 2047.
Upholding Uttarakhand’s Educational Legacy
The Governor further noted that Uttarakhand has historically been a major centre of learning, which increases the responsibility of educators to strengthen this tradition. He called teachers the true guides of children after parents, steering their future in the right direction.
Chief Minister’s Tribute
Chief Minister Mr. Pushkar Singh Dhami also extended warm wishes to teachers on Teachers’ Day. Congratulating the award winners, he reflected on the legacy of celebrated storyteller Shailesh Matiyani, who deeply understood the struggles and sensitivities of the mountains. The Chief Minister noted that Matiyani’s writings captured the challenges of the hill regions and their people, leaving a profound impact on literature and contemporary thought.
Award Recipients for 2024
In elementary education, the award was given to Dr. Yatendra Prasad God (Pauri), Rambha Shah (Chamoli), Murari Lal Rana (Uttarkashi), That Singh (Haridwar), Rajni Mangai (Tehri Garhwal), Mili Bagdi (Rudraprayag), Naresh Chandra (Champawat), Diwan Singh Kathayat (Pithoragarh), and Dr. Vineeta Khati (Almora).
In secondary education, the recipients included Pushkar Singh Negi (Pauri Garhwal), Geetanjali Joshi (Uttarkashi), Dr. Sunita Bhatt (Dehradun), Prakash Chandra Upadhyay (Champawat), and Deepak Chandra Bisht (Almora).
The awards reaffirm the government’s commitment to promoting excellence in education and encouraging teachers to nurture future generations with knowledge, ethics, and cultural values.
