President Mukherjee, PM Modi extend greetings on Teachers' Day

President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday greeted teachers throughout the country on the occasion of Teachers' Day.

"On the occasion of Teachers' Day, I have great pleasure in extending my greetings and felicitations to teachers throughout the country," President Mukherjee said in his message.

"Teachers must be friends, philosophers and guiding lights to their students. They are like candles, who burn brightly to enlighten others. We, in India, are inheritors of a sacred tradition in which our gurus, saints and seers have selflessly nurtured our minds and shaped our intellect," he added.

President Mukherjee further said, "Our society at large and in particular, students should show utmost respect and devotion to teachers. Teachers in turn must dedicate themselves to the service of their students and help our youth imbibe knowledge as well as essential civilizational values."

"On this occasion, I extend my warm greetings to the entire teaching community of our country and thank them for their immense contribution to our nation," he added.

Prime Minister Modi paid his tributes to Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan on the occasion.

"Teacher, scholar and statesman, he remains an inspiration for the entire Nation," he said while greeting the people on Teachers' Day.