The Karnataka government has recently announced that teachers can use the prefix ‘Tr.’ before their names. This move is part of an effort to formally recognize the professional status of educators in the state.
In response, B.S. Shivanna, a Member of the Legislative Council from the Indian National Congress, wrote to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar asking that a similar practice be extended to other professions.
Shivanna praised the initiative as a laudable step toward elevating the dignity of the teaching community. He argued that engineers and lecturers also drive Karnataka’s growth, innovation and academic standing, and therefore deserve formal recognition.
He suggested that engineers be granted the prefix ‘Er.’ to honour their role in advancing the state’s infrastructure, technical innovation and economic momentum. For lecturers, he proposed the prefix ‘Lr.’ to acknowledge their contribution to higher education and research.
