Teachers must have a discerning eye: President Kovind
Haridwar, Nov 3 : President Ram Nath Kovind said on Saturday that teachers can play a pivotal role in bringing about a qualitative change in higher education by discerning the special abilities of students and bringing out the best in them.
Inaugurating a two-day conference called 'Gyankumbh' at Patanjali Yogpeeth here, the president said the discerning eye of a teacher plays a big role in the growth of a student.
"So you must be sensitive towards your students and ensure that their merit does not go unnoticed because of their poverty or some other handicap," he said.
Noting that history was full of examples where teachers honed the skills of their disciples to help them rise to eminent positions, the president cited the example of Chanakya who recognised the talent of Chandragupta who came from a humble background and made him one of the most illustrious kings of ancient India.
"Every child is born with certain special ability. It is the teacher's responsibility to recognise that ability and bring the best out of him," he said.
Citing the example of a Brahmin teacher who mentored a lowly born boy called Bhim Rao after recognising his talent and gave him his surname Ambedkar after the completion of his studies, Kovind said if that teacher had not come into the life of Dr Ambedkar, the country would have been deprived of the services of a Bharat Ratna.
"Even former president APJ Abdul Kalam began dreaming of becoming a rocket scientist after he along with a group of his classmates was taken to the seaside by a teacher who taught them about the flight of birds," the president said and hoped that deliberations at the event will throw up ideas to revolutionise higher education in the country.
The president also underlined the need to establish a higher education system which put equal emphasis on imparting knowledge to students and inculcating upon them a keen sense of values.
Kovind also remembered Madan Mohan Malviya for his dedicated efforts to establish a centre of higher learning like the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and asked teachers to be inspired by his missionary zeal.
The inaugural session was attended by Governor Baby Rani Maurya, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and head of Patanjali Yogpeeth Ramdev.
Showering praise on Ramdev for taking yoga to every household both nationally and internationally, the president said the ancient Indian discipline of mental and physical well being could not have found its way into the daily lives of people without the yoga guru.
Academicians and educationists from all over the country are participating in the event which will conclude on Sunday.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
