Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked Teachers’ Day with an engaging interaction with the winners of the National Teachers’ Awards at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, discussing the changing challenges faced by children and the evolving role of educators.
The interaction covered a wide range of subjects, from innovative classroom techniques and public speaking to excessive screen use, drug abuse, identifying students’ hidden talents and ensuring that children retain their sense of curiosity and creativity.
Sharing a video of the interaction on X, PM Modi said Teachers’ Day is an occasion to recognise the contribution of educators while also remembering former President and renowned scholar Dr S. Radhakrishnan. He wrote, “Teachers’ Day is about appreciating the strong contribution of teachers to our society. It is also a day to pay homage to Dr. S. Radhakrishnan. Here is what happened when the National Teachers’ Awards winners were invited to 7, LKM yesterday.”
PM Modi’s Light-Hearted Exchange With Teacher Over Reporting
During the conversation, one teacher explained how she was using an innovative approach to teach students the art of conducting interviews. PM Modi responded humorously, suggesting that the children might start applying the same technique at home by questioning their parents.
“They must be interviewing their parents at home too. Like, ‘Why did you cook this? Why did you cook it this way? Who made this decision? How much was spent on the budget?’” PM Modi quipped.
The teacher replied that the activity had become so popular that students were now interested in journalism, saying, “Yes, sir. And now, just for fun, all the kids in my school want to be reporters.”
Teacher Gets Nervous When PM Modi Asks About Public Speaking
Another award-winning teacher, who works with students on public speaking, was asked by PM Modi what advice she would give to a student aspiring to become an effective orator.
“If I were your student and wanted to become a skilled orator, what tips would you give me? What should I do?” PM Modi asked.
The teacher said confidence was the foundation of good public speaking and added that it develops through regular practice. However, she admitted that she herself was nervous while speaking to the Prime Minister, saying, “Sorry, sir… even I was a bit nervous myself, seeing your aura.”
PM Modi responded with a light-hearted question, asking, “So, you mean to say that to be a public speaker, one shouldn’t have an aura?”
The teacher quickly clarified, “No, one should have it. Yours is already there, sir.”
Continuing the playful exchange, PM Modi remarked, “Then people won’t listen! They will just keep looking at your aura.” The teacher replied with a smile, “They could just keep looking at you, sir.”
PM Modi Asks Teachers To Discover Hidden Talents
The Prime Minister also shifted the discussion towards children who may not necessarily perform well in academics but could possess abilities in other areas.
“It’s possible that a child might not be good at academics. But God has given everyone some strength. Do you teachers try to identify their talent?” PM Modi asked.
A teacher said identifying individual strengths was an important part of their work, explaining, “We try a lot. In fact, that’s our endeavour, because I believe every child in our school or class has a different quality, a different talent, a different challenge.”
The conversation highlighted the importance of looking beyond marks and examinations while helping students identify their individual abilities.
Teacher Credits Eklavya Schools For Inspiring First-Generation Learners
One of the awardees spoke about the impact of the Eklavya schools initiative on children from families where previous generations had little or no exposure to formal education.
“By opening Eklavya, you didn’t just build a school… rather, in my opinion, you’ve connected with as many families who are first-generation learners today; they never saw a school. Their children are now dreaming of NITs and IITs, and qualifying for medical exams,” the teacher told PM Modi.
The interaction also featured discussions around social awareness initiatives being undertaken by teachers beyond conventional classroom education.
Teacher Discusses Breast Cancer Awareness Among Women
A teacher working to spread breast cancer awareness among women explained that social hesitation still prevents many women from discussing the issue openly.
“Even today, breast cancer is a subject that women are very hesitant to talk about. So, we do things within our capacity, like primary screening or telling them certain things so that they can initially identify if they need a doctor’s advice,” she said.
PM Modi responded by recalling an awareness campaign he had undertaken in Kashi, where he serves as an MP. “Since you’re working on this subject, I’m the MP from Kashi. So, I started a campaign there for breast cancer awareness. And I’m very happy that these days, women are coming forward on their own for check-ups,” he said.
He also recalled that the initiative had once helped achieve a Guinness World Record for the highest number of people screened in a single day.
PM Modi Flags Screen Addiction Among Children
A major focus of the interaction was the growing amount of time children spend on screens. PM Modi described excessive screen use as “a kind of addiction” and suggested encouraging children to participate in outdoor sports and creative activities.
“Either that child will start taking a lot of interest in sports… and by sports, I don’t mean video games but actually playing on the field. Then slowly, they can come out of it. And we should make it a habit to involve kids as much as possible in creativity, and we should design some programmes for that,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s remarks placed emphasis on ensuring that children have opportunities to remain physically active and participate in activities that stimulate their imagination rather than spending excessive time on digital devices.
Teachers Asked To Stay Alert To Drug Abuse
PM Modi also raised concerns about the spread of drug abuse among young people and asked teachers to remain alert to behavioural changes among students.
“Now take the case of drugs. It’s not just in big cities or universities anymore, nobody even knows what it is; someone just comes and gives it,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s comments underlined the importance of teachers being attentive to changes in students’ behaviour and creating an environment where children can seek help and guidance.
PM Modi: “Childhood Shouldn’t Be Allowed To Die”
Concluding the interaction, PM Modi urged teachers to look beyond textbooks and academic syllabuses and engage more closely with children’s lives.
“We need to step outside of books and the syllabus much more than before and get into the lives of children. Childhood shouldn’t be allowed to die. And the biggest task of keeping childhood alive can be done by a teacher. It’s the teacher’s job to ensure the child within remains,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s message placed teachers at the centre of efforts to preserve children’s curiosity, creativity and emotional development while helping them navigate emerging challenges.
Earlier on Friday, President Droupadi Murmu presented the National Teachers Awards to 48 school teachers at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The recipients were selected through a three-stage process conducted at the district, state and national levels.
The awardees included 26 men and 22 women representing 27 states, seven Union Territories and six central government organisations.
Teachers’ Day is observed across India every year on September 5 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the philosopher, scholar and former President whose contribution to education continues to be remembered on the occasion.
