Two teachers from Odisha have been honoured with the National Teachers’ Award by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on Friday.

The awardees are Basanta Kumar Rana, headmaster in-charge of Government UP School, Kondel (Malkangiri), and Tarun Kumar Dash, primary teacher at PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya, Koraput. This year, 45 teachers from across India received the award.

Rana, with over three decades of service, was recognised for promoting foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) through puppetry as a teaching tool, which has boosted school enrolment significantly.

Dash was honoured for using storytelling, drama, short films, and community radio to create innovative learning experiences. His projects like Katha Chitra, Millet Kranti and Light Bag, Happy Back have earned students national recognition.

Meanwhile, in Bolangir, Sefalika Panigrahi, popularly known as Sefalika Madam, is winning hearts with her creative teaching methods at the Government Project UP School, Duanpali. Using role-play, songs, and folk activities, she has reversed the trend of parents preferring private schools, drawing children back to government classrooms.

Her efforts, praised by the community and school authorities, stand as a reminder on Teachers’ Day that a great teacher transforms lives beyond lessons.