Chhattisgarh honoured 64 teachers for their contribution to education at a state-level Teachers’ Day ceremony in Raipur on Saturday, with four educators receiving special Smriti Puraskar for notable work and innovative teaching practices. The awards were presented in the presence of Governor Ramen Deka, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and School Education Minister at Chhattisgarh Mandapam in Lok Bhavan.

Among the four special awardees was Pragya Singh from Durg, who was recognised for adopting new approaches to make mathematics easier and more engaging for students. Rajesh Kumar Prajapati of Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai, Kamta Prasad Jaiswal of Korba and Priyanka Goswami of Sarangarh-Bilaigarh were the other recipients. 

Pragya Singh Recognised for Making Maths Engaging

Pragya Singh, a teacher from Durg, received the Dr Mukutdhar Pandey Smriti Puraskar for her efforts to make classroom learning more interesting through new teaching methods.

Her recognition highlights the growing emphasis on innovative approaches in school education, particularly methods that help students understand subjects that are often considered difficult.

The other three special awards were named after prominent Chhattisgarh literary figures. Rajesh Kumar Prajapati received the Dr Padumlal Punnalal Bakshi Smriti Puraskar, Kamta Prasad Jaiswal received the Dr Baldev Prasad Mishra Smriti Puraskar, and Priyanka Goswami received the Gajanan Madhav Muktibodh Smriti Puraskar. 

64 Teachers Selected Across Chhattisgarh

The State Teachers’ Honour was given to educators selected from districts across Chhattisgarh. The awardees included principals, head teachers, lecturers, teachers and assistant teachers working in different categories under the School Education Department.

The selection covered districts including Raipur, Dhamtari, Durg, Bilaspur, Rajnandgaon, Raigarh, Surguja, Bastar, Dantewada, Jashpur and Korba, among others.

The teachers were selected in recognition of their academic work, service and contribution to improving education.

Awards Presented at Raipur Ceremony

The state-level award ceremony was organised at Chhattisgarh Mandapam in Lok Bhavan, Raipur, on Teachers’ Day.

Governor Ramen Deka and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai attended the programme along with the School Education Minister and presented the honours to the selected educators.

The ceremony brought together teachers from different parts of the state and recognised their work in classrooms as well as their broader contribution to students and the education system.

Four Smriti Puraskars for Innovative Work

The four special awards are presented in memory of noted literary figures associated with Chhattisgarh. They recognise teachers whose work demonstrates excellence and innovation in education.

For 2025-26, the four recipients were Rajesh Kumar Prajapati, Kamta Prasad Jaiswal, Pragya Singh and Priyanka Goswami. Reports ahead of the ceremony identified the same four teachers for the special honours. 

The awards are intended to encourage teachers to experiment with teaching methods and contribute beyond routine classroom instruction.

Teachers Recognised Across Different Roles

The State Teachers’ Honour was not limited to one category of educator. Principals, head teachers, lecturers and assistant teachers were among those selected.

The broad representation reflects the state's effort to recognise contributions across different levels and responsibilities within government school education.

The 64-teacher selection for 2025-26 had been announced ahead of Teachers’ Day, with teachers from districts across the state included in the list. 

Focus on Better and More Engaging Education

The recognition of Pragya Singh and the three other Smriti Puraskar recipients puts the spotlight on innovative teaching practices alongside conventional academic achievement.

For Chhattisgarh, the Teachers’ Day ceremony served both as a felicitation programme and as recognition of educators working to improve classroom learning.

The state's teacher awards also underline the role of educators in helping students develop stronger academic foundations while making classroom learning more accessible and engaging.

The IGKV convocation 2026 was held at the Indira Gandhi Agricultural University where more than 1800 students were awarded degrees in undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programmes. The event marked the university’s 11th convocation ceremony, reflecting its growing academic contribution in the field of agricultural education. A total of 128 research scholars received PhD degrees, 518 students were awarded postgraduate degrees, and 1234 students completed their undergraduate courses during the ceremony.

Medal Winners Honoured

In the IGKV convocation 2026, 22 meritorious students were honoured for outstanding academic performance. The university awarded 13 gold medals, 7 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals to top-performing students across disciplines. Officials said the recognition aims to encourage excellence in agricultural research, innovation, and academic achievement among young scholars.

Dignitaries at Event

The ceremony was attended by Chhattisgarh Governor Ramen Deka, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, and Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam. The presence of senior leadership highlighted the importance of agricultural education in the state’s development agenda. The convocation address was delivered by Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, former Director of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, who emphasized innovation-driven agriculture.

Governor on Agriculture Role

Speaking at the IGKV convocation 2026, Governor Ramen Deka said agriculture in India is not just an economic activity but a core part of culture, tradition, and livelihood for millions. He stressed that agriculture graduates will play a crucial role in achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047. He urged students to take modern technologies to villages and work directly with farmers to improve productivity. The Governor also highlighted the need for reducing farming costs and increasing farmer income through innovation, climate-resilient practices, and scientific interventions.

CM on Future Farming

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said the IGKV convocation 2026 represents not just the completion of education but the beginning of social responsibility. He noted that the university has made significant contributions in research and development, having developed more than 160 crop varieties and over 100 advanced agricultural technologies. The Chief Minister also pointed out that IGKV holds a vast genetic resource bank, including over 23,250 rice germplasm collections, one of the largest in the world.

Agriculture Modernisation Push

Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam emphasized the need to reconnect youth with farming. He said that while agriculture remains a strong sector in Chhattisgarh, attracting young talent remains a major challenge. He highlighted government efforts to promote crop diversification beyond paddy and improve farmer income through processing units and value addition. The minister said modernizing agriculture is essential to make it more profitable and attractive for the younger generation.

Research and Innovation Focus

University Vice Chancellor Dr. Girish Chandel presented the academic report during the IGKV convocation 2026, noting that the institution has improved its NIRF ranking from 39th to 28th position. He also highlighted that the university has developed several climate-resilient crop varieties to address changing environmental conditions. Officials said the institution continues to strengthen agricultural innovation and farmer-oriented research across multiple disciplines.

AI App Launch

A key highlight of the IGKV convocation 2026 was the launch of an AI-based chatbot application named “IGKV Connect.” The app has been designed to assist students with academic and administrative queries. University officials said the digital initiative will improve accessibility and enhance communication between students and the institution through technology-driven solutions.

Agriculture and Future Vision

Speakers at the event collectively emphasized that agriculture is central to India’s future growth. They called for increased focus on natural farming, pulse and oilseed production, and sustainable agricultural practices. The convocation also reflected a broader vision of integrating research, technology, and field-level application to strengthen rural economies.

The IGKV convocation 2026 concluded with a strong message of innovation, responsibility, and rural engagement. With thousands of graduates stepping into the agricultural sector, leaders expressed confidence that they will contribute significantly to transforming farming practices and supporting the vision of a developed India.

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