Addressing the Navchintan Shibir organized by the Indian Institute of Teacher Education at Mahatma Mandir on Tuesday 24th September 2013, Shri Narendra Modi affirmed that the success of Ganatantra lies in Gunatantra (importance of merit) and that the IITE seeks to give emphasis to Gunatantra. Shri Modi said that in a time when the student is getting inquisitive to learn more, a true teacher must be one who inspires students to ask questions. “Let students come to school with lot of questions in their mind. Teachers should answer them and if a teacher does not know he or she must say I will answer it during the next period,” said Shri Modi. Speaking about the important of teachers, Shri Modi opined that a Mother gives birth to a child and it is the teacher who gives life to it.
The Chief Minister said that the idea of a Teacher’s University came to provide the right opportunities and training to those who aspired to be teachers and serve society. He talked about the importance of providing proper training to the teachers. Shri Modi believed that we cannot only live in the past and that we must think of future and create teachers on those lines. He pointed that IITE has completed only two years but the nation has taken note of this and it is seen as an initiative worth doing all over.
Shri Modi talked about the relevance of the teaching profession in today’s age. Recalling his interaction with a girl from Dahod’s tribal communities who won a quiz competition, Shri Modi shared that the young girl dreamt of becoming a teacher and hearing this made him really happy. He opined that merely having knowledge is not enough, a good teacher must understand the mind of the student and connect with him or her. Likewise, he spoke about the importance of good communication skills in teaching.
He pointed that in our culture knowledge was never merely served but it is earned. “Time is to embrace learning and not simply teaching. The importance of leaning is increasing,” said Shri Modi.
During his speech Shri Modi spoke at length about the Gujarat Government’s Gunotsav and Shala Praveshotsav, saying how these initiatives were celebrated as Utsavs to bring about a positive change in the society.
Shri Modi placed prime importance on the dignity of teachers and there cannot be any harm on according adequate dignity to the teaching community. He also called for sending out teachers to the rest of the world and harnessing the skills of India’s young population in this regard. The Chief Minister called upon the teachers to embrace latest technology, saying that we should not even move an inch backwards when it comes to technology.
Noted spiritual leader, Bhai Shri Ramesh Oza said that no teacher is ordinary, but is a Guru to the students. He described the role of a teacher as a 24/7 duty and something that is different from other jobs. He also stressed on EQ along with IQ. Rameshbhai Oza congratulated Shri Modi for the completion of Mahatma Mandir with remarkable speed.
Education Minister Shri Bhupendrasinh Chudasama spoke on the need of good teachers in society and pointed that Shri Modi is working in that direction. He shared that when Shri Modi took over in 2001 he dreamt of making Gujarat the Number 1 state and today he has succeeded in his dream. Professor Devraj of UGC congratulated Shri Modi for organizing such a meet and said that Gujarat is scaling great heights of progress under his leadership. Several academics from across the country joined the Chintan Shibir.
