Bhubaneswar: On the occasion of Teachers’ Day, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Teachers’ Award 2025 on 81 distinguished educators from across India for their outstanding contributions to school and higher education. Among the awardees were two teachers from Odisha, Tarun Kumar Dash of Koraput and Basant Kumar Rana of Malkangiri, whose innovative and transformative teaching practices have set new benchmarks in education.
Tarun Kumar Dash, a teacher at PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya, Koraput, was recognized for his creative teaching methods and leadership in language education. Through initiatives such as My Reading Book, My Picture My Story, News Nest, and Main Bhi Speaker, he has nurtured literacy, communication, and creativity among his students. Dash has also spearheaded the Millet Revolution campaign, promoting millets as a national food to foster nutrition, health, and cultural awareness. His holistic approach, blending academics with creativity and social responsibility, has helped shape confident and socially aware learners.
Basant Kumar Rana, from Kondel Government Nodal Upgraded Primary School, Malkangiri, was honoured for his innovative teaching practices and strong community engagement. His efforts have improved student attendance and classroom participation through cost-effective and inclusive initiatives such as awareness rallies, puppetry, street meetings, and mobile community libraries. Rana’s Talking Walls and Pathara Barnamala and Sankhya Bagicha projects have turned classrooms into interactive spaces, strengthening foundational literacy and creating a vibrant learning environment.
The recognition of Dash and Rana underscores the impact of Odisha’s educators in bridging learning gaps, building community-school relationships, and fostering inclusive education. Their work, rooted in creativity and grassroots innovation, reflects the transformative role of teachers in shaping future generations.
