TEACHERS’ DAY CELEBRATIONS: HONOURING GREAT TEACHERS; AKSHAYA PATRA; STUDENT RESPONSE

On the 5^th of September, 2015, rich tributes were paid to the philosopher-President Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Teachers’ Day was celebrated on a grand scale. The day was also observed as Ethnic Day with the students dressed in their regional costumes. On behalf of GITAM Institute of Management, Prof. K.Siva Rama Krishna, Dean and Principal felicitated three outstanding teachers – Prof. K. Ramakrishna Rao, Hon’ble Chancellor, Prof. M. Gangadhara Rao, Hon’ble Vice President, GITAM and Prof. G. Subrahmanyam, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor. Brief bio-datas of the three dignitaries were presented before an enthralled gathering of students and teachers. Hon’ble Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. D. Harinarayana and Heads of Institutions were also present.

In his address, Padmashri Prof. K. Ramakrishna Rao, an internationally renowned figure in Psychology and Philosophy and champion of interdisiciplinary research focusing on Indian spirituality, culture, consciousness and Gandhi, shared his memories of interacting with Dr.S. Radhakrishnan and defined the teacher as the guiding light who enables total integration of body, mind and spirit. Prof. M. Gangadhara Rao, an acclaimed scholar, researcher and teacher and the architect of the glorious history of GITAM Institute of Management and GITAM University as its first Vice-Chancellor, shared his ideas of an ideal teacher and how he as a student had drawn out the best from his teachers, emulating varied figures for their idealism, ethics, scholarship, research, classroom prowess etc. Prof. G. Subrahmanyam, an administrator par excellence and a recipient of the State Best Teacher Award, spoke from the heart on how the teacher could attain deep satisfaction in his profession and shared how being surrounded by young students kept him young in spirit and recalled his joyful memories of being admired by students for his classes.

On the occasion, Prof. K.Siva Rama Krishna, Dean and Principal, spoke of and released a poster enumerating the qualities of an ideal teacher. He also shared the intiative taken by the faculty of the Institute to donate to the Akshaya Patra Foundation and sponsor the mid-day meals for poor children. The amount was handed over to Swami Niskinchana Bhakta Dasa of the Foundation who spoke of their mission to ensure that no child would be deprived of learning on account of hunger. Prof. P. Sheela, Vice-Principal proposed the Vote of Thanks. Dr. Rositta Joseph, Assistant Professor in English was the Master of Ceremonies.

In the evening, students organised a variety of games, entertainments and refreshments for the faculty.  Various batches had their own memorable moments of celebration with the faculty as well.