Santosh Lad, Karnataka’s Minister for Labour Welfare and in‑charge Minister of Dharwad, opened the district’s Teachers’ Day celebrations on Sunday, September 6. He described teaching as a noble profession that lays the foundation of society, emphasizing its importance in shaping the nation’s future.
Lad highlighted the role teachers play in producing other professions, citing examples from history such as Basavanna, Gautama Buddha, Socrates, Plato, Karl Marx, Louis Pasteur and Albert Einstein. He noted that India’s literacy rate has risen from below 20% at Independence to around 75% today, yet he urged a critical look at how educational and other systems function.
During the ceremony at the Karnatak Vidyavardhak Sangha hall, Lad presented awards to outstanding teachers. He stressed that teachers have the power to deeply influence students early on and interact daily with the country’s future. He called for educators to instill morality, gratitude, humanity, empathy and social responsibility, to study and respect the Constitution, remain politically neutral, and teach children about the nation’s history and dignity.
Deputy Commissioner Snehal R. added that while students can access information through the internet, mobile phones and television, teachers bear a greater responsibility to guide them in using such information wisely, developing values and distinguishing right from wrong. She urged parents to take greater responsibility for their children’s education and encouraged teachers to inspire students to set higher goals and aspire to become senior officials, entrepreneurs and achievers. The event was attended by DDPI Umesh Bammakkanavar and other officials.
