NEW DELHI: A national conference and award ceremony was organised recently at Dogra Hall- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi by Sri Aurobindo Society and HDFC Bank to recognise the effective grassroots innovations in teaching.

Highlights of the event

* MHRD Minister launched 35 State-wise Innovations Handbooks consisting of best teaching practices and grassroots innovations

* Prakash Javadekar, the Minister of Information & Broadcasting graced the event and motivated the teachers

* Narendra Singh Tomar, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj minister appreciated the mass-scale teacher outreach program 'Zero-Investment Innovations for Education Initiatives' (ZIIEI) of Sri Aurobindo Society and HDFC Bank

* Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre, Minister of State for HRD boosted the morale of the teachers and felicitated education officers

* Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises graced the occasion

* Anurag Thakur, Minister of State for Finance motivated the teachers at the event

* Ram Madhav, National General Secretary, Bhartiya Janata Party applauded the teachers for their unique teaching innovations at the grass-root level.

Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' felicitated more than 1000 teachers from across the country for their unique zero-investment grassroots innovations in teaching.

The event, named 'SHUNYA SE SASHAKTIKARAN- Empowering Through Zero' highlighted and promoted various zero-investment innovative ideas that are developed and being implemented by the school teachers in their respective schools. 35 state-wise Innovations Handbooks were also launched at the event. These handbooks document the most effective innovations by teachers of different states. The event was organised by Sri Aurobindo Society and HDFC Bank to acknowledge the best practices and innovative ideas of the school teachers on March 1st and 2nd 2020, at Dogra Hall- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi.

Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank', Minister MHRD, Dr Satbir Bedi - Chairperson, NCTE, Ashima Bhat - Group Head, HDFC Bank, Ashish Goel - Divisional Commissioner Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Pradeep Narang - Chairman, Sri Aurobindo Society, Vijay Poddar - Member Executive, Sri Aurobindo Society along with Sambhrant Sharma- Director, Education, Sri Aurobindo Society felicitated 1,000 innovative teachers and launched 35 Innovation Handbooks.

Addressing the audience and media persons present at the event, Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' emphasised on the need to empower the teachers to upgrade the education sector of the country. He also appreciated and acknowledged the efforts of Sri Aurobindo Society for its dedicated approach in this sector.

"I hope from next year we celebrate this day as the Innovative Teacher's Day. I congratulate Sri Aurobindo Society and HDFC Bank for the commendable work of acknowledging teachers' contributions in the education sector", said the MHRD minister. He also described the teachers as Chanakya who are capable of creating a Chandragupta in every student.

Pokhriyal also acknowledged the efforts of HDFC Bank in nation-building and presented a memento to Ashima Bhat - Group Head, HDFC Bank. "It is the vision of HDFC bank to build an educated and progressive society. The bank has been actively involved in making a stronger and better India and Sri Aurobindo Society's ZIIEI program has been an incredible partner in this vision of transforming education in India", said Bhat.

Nusrat Pathan, CSR Head, HDFC Bank and Vikas Wahal, Head Retail Banking, HDFC Bank also marked their presence.

The event was graced by the presence of Prakash Javadekar, who focused on improving the access and quality of education and applauded the teachers for their praiseworthy efforts in building a stronger and progressive nation. "The society where a teacher is recognized and felicitated is a remarkable one. Innovation is the mother of research. Each innovation is a vision. A nation cannot progress without innovation. It is the sole responsibility of the teachers to create great leaders for tomorrow", said the minister.

Along with Narendra Singh Tomar, JM Bala Murugun - Principal Secretary to Governor, Punjab and Amrendra Kumar Sengar - Inspector General, NDRF also shared the dice and motivated the teachers.

"I hope the teachers continue to contribute towards improving the education system through their noble work. Nation-building comes first. Innovative teachers inculcate such moral and human values in their students who play an instrumental role in building a progressive nation", said Narendra Singh Tomar.

Rajender Pensiya - Chief Development Officer, Farrukhabad emphasised on creating a joyful learning atmosphere in the classroom and applauded ZIIEI Innovative Pathshaala, an initiative under ZIIEI that focuses on experiential learning atmosphere in the classroom.

"Teachers are not just imparting education but are also elevating their learning experience. Knowledge multiplies when we share. It is the responsibility of every generation to pass on the inherited knowledge, culture and values to the next generation. Through initiatives like ZIIEI, we are succeeding in upgrading the education sector", said Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre.

"Innovation is the need of the hour, and as we all need to provide a conducive environment to our students to enable them to become entrepreneurs in life", said Prof V Ramgopal Rao - Director, IIT Delhi.

Pratap Chandra Sarangi emphasized on the need and importance of innovation in teaching. "It is an enriching experience to meet more than thousand of innovative teachers. I thank Sri Aurobindo Society for the opportunity. It is important that every individual takes conscious efforts towards building a strong, morally rich society. Teachers are responsible for shaping the future of the children of our country and I congratulate you all for your efforts in transforming education", said Pratap Chandra Sarangi.

"ZIIEI has been able to reach out to the teachers to the remotest corners to the urban areas, and teachers have been provided a first of its kind constructive platform to share their zero-investment innovative ideas", said Mayank Aggarwal, Chief Operating Officer, Rupantar, Sri Aurobindo Society.

"India has a young population. We need to provide them good education and inculcate moral values in them. Collected efforts of the teachers and students are changing the face of the nation. Young India is a true contributor in building a nation", addressed Anurag Thakur.

"Education is an assimilation of character building ideas. Teaching implies right guidance at the right time, not just for the teacher & students but for the entire community", said Ram Madhav.

He also appreciated the teachers for their innovative solutions in teaching. "The teachers are making an outstanding contribution in the society by infusing and boosting moral values in the education system", added Ram Madhav.

"It is a proud moment for the nation, as the teachers are working progressively for creating an innovation-based ecosystem", said Hrushikesh Senapaty - Director, NCERT calling teachers as the nation's pillars.

The event witnessed two engaging discussion sessions wherein speakers from the education field shared their experiences and the need for grass-root innovations.

Speaking on 'Importance of Micro-Innovation in Perspective of Zero-Investment Innovations' GP Upadhyaya, ACS Education, Sikkim, A Anbasru, Secretary Education, Puducherry, Sanjay Awasthi, Member Secretary-NCTE, Prashanth Nair, Managing Director of Kerala Shipping & Inland Navigation Corporation collectively called for more and more active participation of the teachers.

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MHRD minister promotes grassroots teaching innovations - Times of India