A private tuition teacher here allegedly made his students and their parents walk on broken glass pieces "to build their self-confidence", prompting the district administration to order probe into the episode.
The incident took place on Tuesday when Rakesh Patel, a private tutor running coaching classes had asked about 70 young students and their parents to walk on broken glass shreds spread on the floor of his study centre.
Patel said he did this "so that they get rid of their fear and for making them self-confident".
He added that several adult participants who walked on the glass had made no complaint and there were no injuries.
District administration, however, has taken note of the incident and ordered probe.
"I have asked the district education officer, child section of district collectorate and police to conduct inquiry into the incident as it is an offence under child protection act," Vadodara District Collector Avantika Singh told PTI.
Gujarat Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasma has also taken the matter seriously saying such action cannot be allowed.
"We have recorded statements of several persons in this regard and are going ahead with the probe," collector Singh said.
"On the basis of reports, necessary action including registration of a case against the tutor with the police will be taken up," she said.
Due to Makar Sankranti today, the probe is delayed, but it will be completed soon, Singh stated.
The episode has drawn flak from rationalists and educationists also who have condemned it calling it to be "dangerous".
"A magician or street performer walking bare-footed across broken glass is a dramatic spectacle. If you have a close-up view, you can see the person's feet pressing against the jagged edges. Sometimes, one can even hear glass breaking underfoot. It's clearly dangerous," said educationist Tejal Amin.
Bachchan spoke of his own dyslexia and the "incredible
impact" teachers have on young minds, while Kumar described teachers as "the only humans in the world that give life to a life".
30-year-old Chaurasiya, who was born in Los Angeles, was joined by innovative maths teachers from London and Helsinki and educators from countries like the US, Japan, Pakistan, Australia and Kenya on the shortlist of an award dubbed the Oscars for teaching.
"It's amazing that the Varkey Foundation would recognise an alternative school like this," she said.
The final 10 were narrowed down from 8,000 nominations and applications from 148 countries from around the world.
Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, said in a special video message at the ceremony: "Reaching young people early on, in their education, and providing them with the actual support they need, and give them the best possible chance in life.
"This is an incredible responsibility, and this is why the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry, has partnered with the Varkey Foundation, on a range of programmes which support teachers to help young people in some of the most disadvantaged communities of the United Kingdom.
