Bringing dignity back
Guruvar awards aspire to confer recognition on teachers for their dedicated effort to shape the lives of children

By Kannaki Deka
New Delhi, October 20: “Those who educate children well are more to be honored than parents, for these only gave life, those the art of living well”, Aristotle, famous Greek philosopher and teacher of Alexander the great, once said about teachers.

Following a similar vein of thought the Varkey Gems Foundation has announced the Guruvar Awards, the largest teacher awards event in India.

A first of its kind, this non-profit, non-commercial event will recognise, honour and reward outstanding schoolteachers from across the nation. Sunny Varkey, founder, Varkey Gems states the objective of such an initiative, “Being in the field of education we realise that a strong teacher- student interface truly forms the pillars of learning. I see Guruvar Awards 2009 as a movement intensifying across India to recognise and appreciate teachers for their selfless efforts and dedication.”

There is an increasing sense of apathy towards the role that teachers play in shaping children’s lives. Keeping that in mind the award aims to create awareness about this neglected profession and restore its strength, dignity and value. According to the Varkey Gems Foundation, India loses 800,000 teachers each year to brain drain, retirement and better job prospects, and by 2011 our country will face a shortfall of 2.5 million schoolteachers in the primary and higher secondary levels. In the light of such disheartening facts such an initiative comes as a breath of fresh air. “This award is aimed as a catalyst to promote teaching as a preferred profession amongst youth in India. In short, this is an attempt not only to ask big and intelligent questions but to also provide small and simple solutions”, Varkey adds.

Despite these odds there are a collect few who still willingly dedicate their lives to this noble profession and it is time someone gave them their dues. “The Awards attempts to spread a sense of gratitude and appreciation among the teaching community in India. It highlights the commitment that teachers have towards the society. With these Awards we intend to not only endow teachers with their richly-deserved respect and recognition but also attempt to change the complacent mindset of the people with regard to teachers,” says Varkey.

The idea is to nominate a teacher who is making a great impact in your community, and they will select 48 finalists whom the nation will honour at a grand event. The award category ranges from lifetime achievement award, outstanding Indian teacher, outstanding young Indian teacher, and outstanding Indian teacher of children with special needs. The criteria for the different categories vary according to age and number of years spent working. According to Varkey, “The responses to the awards are so overwhelming that we have decided to extend the deadline for the nominations from October 19 to November 15, 2009 to gain maximum participation. The response has exceeded our expectations and it’s great to see India has woken up to such a movement.”

Renowned public figures such as Kapil Sibal, Union minister for human resource development, Dr Shashi Tharoor, minister of state for external affairs, Venu Rajamony the Consul General of India in Dubai are associated with this prestigious event.

Celebrities such as Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor are endorsing the event.

The award will be held in December this year, so if you have a teacher in mind who has made a deep impact in your life go ahead and nominate her/him for this award. For more detailed information regarding the nomination and selection process for the Guruvar Awards, 2009 log on to www.guruvar.com.