The purpose of the National Teachers’ Award is to celebrate the unique contribution of teachers in the country and to honor those who, through their commitment and dedication, have not only improved the quality of education but also enriched the lives of their students — a vision first championed by Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, whose birthday we commemorate as Teachers’ Day.

The awardees, from Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs), and other skill training institutions across the country, were recognized for their outstanding contributions in preparing India’s youth for the future of work through innovative pedagogical practices, industry collaboration, and inclusive training models.

Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, said, “Our trainers are the true nation-builders who silently but powerfully shape India’s growth story. Each awardee honored today is a beacon of excellence, guiding our youth towards meaningful livelihoods and contributing to India’s vision of becoming the Skill Capital of the World. The inclusion of skill trainers in the National Teachers’ Awards reflects our growing respect for vocational educators and our focus on vocational training. These recognitions are not just awards, but a testament to the transformative power of vocational education.”

On the eve of the ceremony, the awardees also had the privilege of meeting the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji, who interacted with them, appreciated their contributions, and inspired them with his vision of a skilled and empowered India. The trainers returned deeply motivated to continue shaping the youth of our nation.

The trainers awarded this year have demonstrated excellence in diverse areas, including the development of advanced training laboratories, integration of digital tools into classroom instruction, promotion of women’s participation in non-traditional trades, creation of inclusive resources for persons with disabilities, and establishment of sustainable industry linkages. Collectively, their efforts have enhanced the quality and relevance of vocational training, empowering thousands of youth with market-ready skills.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes that motivated, empowered, and skilled faculty are essential for the growth of students, institutions, and the teaching profession. It also highlights the importance of incentives, including rewards and recognition, to nurture a culture of excellence within the education system. In line with this vision, two new award categories were introduced in 2023 for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Polytechnics under the ambit of the National Awards to Teachers (NAT), which had previously been limited to school teachers. A total of 81 educators, including school, higher education, and vocational training faculty, were honoured this year.

This year’s awardees from the skills sector included-

·         Shri Sukanta Konar, Instructor at the Industrial Training Institute, Durgapur, West Bengal;

·         Shri Jayesh Kannachenthodi, Senior Instructor at Government ITI, Areacode, Kerala;

·         Shri Deepak Dattatray Dhaimode, Group Instructor at Mapusa Government ITI, Goa;

·         Shri Anil Ramdas Jibhakate, Craft Instructor (Welder) from Maharashtra;

·         Shri Indranil Mukherjee, Instructor at Government ITI, Durgapur, West Bengal;

·         Shri Rajendra Malviya, Training Officer at Government Divisional ITI, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh;

·         Ms. Dhara U. Shukla, Supervisor Instructor in Cosmetology at Government Women’s ITI, Bhavnagar, Gujarat;

·         Shri Suresh Kumar Mohanty, Assistant Training Officer at the Special ITI for PWDs, Jatni, Odisha;

·         Shri Promod Kumar Verma, Craft Instructor at H.J. Bhabha ITI, Mayur Vihar, Delhi;

·         Shri S.P. Rollsan Rout, Senior Faculty at the Central Tool Room & Training Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha;

·         Ms. Rashika M.E., Trainer at Government Tool Room & Training Centre, Bengaluru, Karnataka;

·         Shri Tikam Chand Kiran, Trainer at Livelihood College, Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh;

·         Shri Manish Mamgain, Training Officer at National Skill Training Institute, Dehradun, Uttarakhand;

·         Smt. A. Mubashera Tabassum, Training Officer at National Skill Training Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu; and

·         Ms. Snehalatha Nakka, Senior Instructor (Civil) at the National Academy of Construction, Hanamkonda, Telangana.

Their contributions are integral to the advancement of the Government’s flagship Skill India Mission and to the implementation of MSDE’s forward-looking skilling initiatives. The felicitation ceremony reflected the Government’s recognition of the pivotal role played by skill trainers in shaping India’s human capital and advancing the national vision of becoming the Skill Capital of the World.