Knowledge society important in India: President

President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said unless India builds a knowledge society it is not possible to find a rightful place in the comity of nations.

"If the foundation is not strong, the structure built on it cannot be strong. Teachers thus have a crucial social responsibility during the formative years of the children," Mukherjee said at a ceremony to give away national awards to meritorious teachers from across the country on the occasion of Teacher's Day.

Stating that in ancient India, for a long period of time, the country was a leading centre of higher education and ancient universities like Nalanda and Taxila used to attract mighty minds, Mukherjee said there was a need for the position to be revived.

Mukherjee congratulated the distinguished teachers who had been bestowed with the prestigious National Teachers Awards for their excellence and performance and the manner in which they instilled skills in their students and made them ready to face the challenges of life.

"The Guru-Shishya (Teacher-Student) parampara is integral to our ancient civilisation. In ancient days, the guru's parting advice to students was that they should be truthful, virtuous and not deviate from their conviction," said Mukherjee.

--IANS

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