Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Aug 21: Two teachers from the twin-districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada have made these districts proud after having been chosen for the national awards being given for teachers with outstanding achievements to their credit.

Ramesh Nayak Rayi, headmaster of Dakshina Kannaada zilla panchayat higher primary school at Keddalike in Kavalamudoor village in Bantwal taluk, and K Laxmikant Bhat, teacher of Nandalike government model higher primary school, Belman, Udupi district, have been chosen for being conferred with national awards pertaining to the year 2014-15.

They will be receiving the awards from the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, at the Teachers' Day programme that will be held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on September 5 this year.

Mahesh Nayak, K Laxmikant Bhat

Nayak, who has been serving the school at Keddalike since the last five years, confirmed about having been chosen for the award. He expressed elation at this rare honour. He felt that this recognition has come as an honour to the school for which he works, apart from the comity of teachers, officials of education department, people of the taluk, and people's representatives from here. Nayak gets credit for transforming the school into a model school in the entire state, even surpassing private schools in quality of education and other facilities. Nayak said he has received information about the award, but he is yet to receive the letter from the department.

Nayak had won best taluk level teacher award in 2003, best district level teacher award in 2004, and best state level teacher award for the year 2012-13. He has also forayed into other sectors like cooperation, social service, religious, etc. He happens to be the president of Vittal Teachers Cooperative Society now.

K Laxmikant Bhat, who had earlier won popular teacher, and best taluk, district, and state level teacher awards in the past, has received the letter announcing his choice for this coveted award from the union human resources development department. Bhat, who is backed by 34 years of service, will be retiring next year. He has worked in different districts, and has been continuously involved with the development of Nandalike school since 1994 when he joined this school, with help from local donors and past students of the school. Because of his efforts, his school has been getting first prize and best school award in the annual evaluation conducted by the education department since the last three consecutive years. The SDMC committee of this school has won the best committee award. He also lays emphasis on conducting sports and cultural competitions at the school every year.

Bhat happens to be the general secretary of Udupi District Teachers Association. He proposes to utilize the cash component of Rs 25,000 he will receive along with the award, for the welfare of teachers.