Seven teachers of Manipur were awarded the State Teachers’ Award 2020 during the annual state level celebration of Teachers’ Day held in Imphal on Saturday.

The State Teachers’ Award winners are Moirangthem Thoibi Devi, headmistress-in-charge of PK Upper Primary School, Imphal East; L Khupkhothang Khongsai, headmaster-in-charge of Kumbipukhri High School, Churachandpur and Khwairakpam S Singh, vice-principal of Moirang Multipurpose HS School, Bishnupur.

The other teachers include Brahmacharimayum Romeo Sharma, headmaster-in-charge of Chajing Mairenkhong Upper Primary School, Imphal West; Thoungam Ajitkumar Singh, headmaster-in-charge of Khunthoknganbi Upper Primary School, Imphal West; Khundrakpam Warjit, headmaster of Senapati Aided Junior High School, Senapati and Khangembam Kanhai Singh, primary teacher of Tekcham Girls Upper Primary School, Thoubal.

Manipur education minister Dr Thokchom Radheshyam handed over the State Teachers’ Awards to the teachers in the day’s function which was attended by the commissioner, education (S) T Ranjit Singh; the director of education (S) L Nandakumar Singh and the officials.

Speaking on the occasion, minister Radheshyam observed said education begins at home and one should never forget their parents, the first teachers who make huge sacrifices to give the best to their children.

Urging that one should always respect their teachers, he said the faith in teachers needs to be reaffirmed like in olden days.

The teachers not only bestow knowledge but also the conduct, thought and discipline of life.

The teacher in himself or herself is an institution.

He also pointed out that the new National Education Policy, 2020 contains chapters for teachers that envisions restructuring and rebuilding of the professional standards for teachers.

Teachers’ Day is observed across the country every year on this day to mark the birthday of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan the former President, a prominent scholar, academician and Bharat Ratna awardee.

Sobhapati Samom is Northeast Now Correspondent in Imphal. He can be reached at: ssamom@gmail.com