Tamil Nadu - Cuddalore   

“Teachers have a role in making India superpower”

Photo: C. Venkatachalapathy

In recognition: Vice-Chancellor of Periyar University M. Thangaraju (centre) and Vice-Chancellor of the Annamalai University M. Ramanathan (right) presenting an award to a faculty member at the Teachers’ Day celebrations organised on Annamalai University premises in Chidambaram on Saturday. —

CUDDALORE: Teachers have a pivotal role to play in making India a superpower in 10 to 15 years, said M.Thangaraju, Vice-Chancellor of Periyar University, Salem.

He was speaking at Teachers’ Day celebrations organised in Annamalai University, Chidambaram, near here on Saturday.

Youth constituted over 40 per cent of the population and if their energy is properly channelled, India can occupy a unique position in the world. This is among the responsibilities of the teachers, Mr. Thangaraju said.

The burgeoning population of the country, once considered a bane, has become an asset.

If dreams of the visionaries who had foreseen India emerging as a great power were to be realised, the percentage of students pursuing higher education should go up from 10 per cent to 25 per cent, he said.

Because of exposure to various sources of information, the students are now endowed with sharp intellect. If such knowledge explosion were to be harnessed for development, the teachers should hone their skills and take the students on board.

Annamalai University Vice-Chancellor M. Ramanathan said that while the teachers were remembered on this day, the latter should also remember their responsibility.

They were highly visible when it comes to asserting their rights and not otherwise.

The teachers in arts colleges cannot compare their emoluments with that of their counterparts in professional colleges.

In professional colleges, the teachers have close contact with students because of practical classes.

In the final reckoning, the teachers ought to design their lecture package with modern tools to make it attractive and the students, on their part, should be receptive enough.

Mr. Ramanathan further said that even a reprimand from a teacher would drive a student to commit suicide. The teachers cannot be blamed for this because they are under pressure from the management to produce results.

Only through close contacts, the teacher-student relation can be strengthened, he said.

A total of 27 faculty members received the Best Teacher Awards, Best Researcher Awards and Endowment Awards on the occasion.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Rural facelift through new parks
“Teachers have a role in making India superpower”
Bharat Nirman awareness programme begins
Diabetes unit opened at NLC hospital

Copyright © 2009, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu