Best Teachers Awards ceremony held in Visakhapatnam; 179 teachers and correspondents felicitated* *“A teacher is akin to divinity”* — _Palla Srinivasa Rao_

 

                   by Sharma K.V .   Editor
 Visakhapatnam, September 13:*Education, in its truest essence, is the transformative force that shapes individual destinies and refines society at large. At the heart of this noble pursuit stands the teacher—whose role, State Telugu Desam Party president and Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao observed, is nothing short of sacred. “The adage ‘A teacher is equal to God’ is not a mere expression, but an eternal truth,” he remarked.

The “Best School Teachers Awards” function, organised under the aegis of the Andhra Pradesh Private Unaided Schools Managements Association (APPUSMA) for Visakhapatnam and Anakapalle districts, was held with great éclat at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Auditorium of Andhra University’s College of Engineering on Saturday.

The event commenced with a ceremonial lamp-lighting by APPUSMA chief mentor A. Krishna Reddy, following which 179 teachers and correspondents were felicitated. As the chief guest, Mr. Srinivasa Rao presented awards to the recipients and lauded their dedicated service to the cause of education.

*‘Teaching is a divine vocation’*

Addressing the gathering, he underscored that it is the relentless toil of teachers that nurtures a cultured and enlightened society. He endorsed APPUSMA’s appeal that private school teachers of proven merit and commitment be considered for inclusion in the State government’s list of Best Teachers. “To honour the services of teachers is, in itself, a divine act,” he observed.

*Praise for Lokesh’s initiatives*

The TDP State chief also lauded Education Minister Nara Lokesh for his perseverance and vision. “It is through Mr. Lokesh’s determined efforts that as many as 16,347 candidates secured teaching positions through the Mega DSC recruitment process. Among them is Guddala Suryanarayana, a shepherd from a small village in Srikakulam district, who realised his lifelong aspiration of becoming a teacher. Such transformations have been made possible only because of Lokesh’s transparency and resolve,” Mr. Srinivasa Rao said.

Commitment to representationHe further assured that the concerns voiced by former Vice-Chancellor M. Mutyalanayudu regarding recognition for private school teachers would be conveyed with due seriousness. “I will take APPUSMA’s representation to both Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh,” he promised.

APPUSMA district president M.V.V. Satyanarayana, secretary U. Suresh Kumar, treasurer Sheshu, regional president M.V. Rao, State secretary Dr. Srinivasa Rao, programme convener M. Ramu Naidu, and press coordinator Mohammed Qasim were among those present.