New Delhi: Odisha’s Padaraj Umakanta Nayak was among 48 school teachers who were conferred the National Teachers Awards by President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday.
The programme at New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan was organised on Teachers’ Day, which is celebrated every year on September 5 to mark the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the second President of India.
Umakanta Nayak teaches at Odisha Government High School, Alipingal, in Jagatsinghpur district.
“He is an innovative and committed educator with over two decades of service, dedicated to transforming rural education through STEM, experiential learning, innovation and community participation,” the Ministry of Education posted on X along with a video of Nayak teaching students.
“He (Nayak) has guided students to develop 50+ prototypes, including a low-cost automatic plate-washing machine for which a student received a Government of India patent. His exemplary contribution has earned the Odisha Mukhyamantri Sikhya Puraskar 2023 (Top Rank) and Prakruti Bandhu Award 2021.”
Shri Padaraj Umakanta Nayak of Government High School Alipingal, Jagatsinghpur, Odisha, is an innovative and committed educator with over two decades of service, dedicated to transforming rural education through STEM, experiential learning, innovation and community participation.… pic.twitter.com/UVsuz8CUOG
— Ministry of Education (@EduMinOfIndia) September 5, 2026
Short documentaries showcasing the exemplary work, achievements and innovative practices of each awardee were screened during the award ceremony.
President Murmu expressed her gratitude to the teaching community and recalled the role her teachers played in shaping her life.
“I feel happy to be here among the teachers. I still recall my teachers… it was due to their love and affection that I succeeded in life and am standing here today,” Murmu said.
The President also fondly remembered the students she taught at Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre in Odisha’s Rairangpur.
“I remember my students whom I taught at the Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre in Rairangpur, Odisha. I have also learned a great deal from my students. I consider the love and affection I received from my students to be one of the greatest achievements of my life,” Murmu recalled.
The National Teachers Awards are organised every year by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education to recognise outstanding teachers from across India.
Of the 48 teachers honoured this year, 26 are male and 22 female, representing 27 states, seven Union Territories and six Central government organisations.
They were selected through a rigorous three-stage selection process at the district, state and national levels.