Mysore/Mysuru: Stating that many awards and prizes are up for sale these days, former Karnataka Sanskrit University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Padma Shekar regretted that Hon. Doctoral Degrees too has joined this list.

She was speaking at ‘Shikshana Chetana’  teacher award conferment programme, organised by city’s Hasiru Bhoomi Trust at Negilayogi Maruleshwara Seva Bhavana located in front of  Malalawadi New Court Complex at K.G. Koppal here on Sunday.

Bemoaning that Hon. Doctoral Degrees have become market commodities, Prof. Padma Shekar said that she is thankful to DCP Dr. Prakash Gowda for having  stopped a fake Doctoral degree conferment programme that was organised in city on Saturday.

Stating that she fears some of the narratives in the New Education Policy (NEP), she said that the implementation of the policy in toto means an end to notes giving practice and at the same time teachers will have to return to their student days for acquiring new thoughts and achieving greater mental capability.

Maintaining that personality development is key for the present crop of teachers, she said that everyone must realise the importance of teachers in grooming students for becoming good and responsible citizens of the country. Likening the teaching fraternity to the foundation of a large structure, Prof. Padma Shekar said that students can never forget their teachers, no matter how big they become in their chosen profession or career. Contending that most children who studied in Government Schools in rural areas develop a better physical and mental fitness, she said that Primary and High School teachers have the capability to influence the lives of people in rural areas.

Asserting that just getting a degree is not education, she said that real education lies in all-round  personality growth and shedding light on the real values of life.

T. Satish Javaregowda, a teacher at Mellahalli Government Higher Primary School  in Mysuru taluk and T. Lokesh, a teacher at Government Higher Primary School, Naganahalli in Hunsur taluk, were conferred  ‘Shikshana Chetana’ award on the occasion.

Oriental Research Institute (ORI) Director Dr. S. Shivarajappa presided. DCP Dr. A.N. Prakash Gowda, writer Prof. K.S. Bhagawan, former District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Maddikere Gopal and Hasiru Bhoomi Trust President Narahalli Jnanesh were present.