Fr. Evarist Newnes,
Principal of our St.Mary’s ICSE, was awarded the
National Award for Teachers 2004, by President Dr.
A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, at a colourful ceremony at Vigyan
Bhawan on 5th September 2005, Teachers’ Day.
The Award, under the auspices of the Human Resource
Development, Government of India, has been given each year
since 1958 to outstanding and dedicated teachers “in public
recognition of valuable services for the Community as a
Teacher of outstanding merit”. This year there were 306 Award
Winning Teachers from every State and stream of Primary and
Secondary Education who were thus honoured. Evarist being one
of five from the category of the CISCE (Council for the Indian
School Certificate Examination), some 1000 odd ICSE Schools in
India. He was the only Priest, and the only other Religious
(the other being a Sister from T.N.). The Award consists of a
Silver Medal, a Citation of Merit, a cash prize of
Rs.25,000/-, besides other benefits like a discount of 50% for
travel etc.
The Award Winners were first taken for a courtesy visit to
the Prime Minister, who received them graciously, thanked and
congratulated them, and offered them sage advice - - besides a
sumptuous breakfast on the lawns of the P.M’s residence. Then
they were driven to the Vigyan Bhawan, where our illustrious
President first administered a 10 point oath to them (to love
teaching and the students, etc.) and then gave away the
Awards. He had a special word with Evarist, asked him if he
was a Jesuit, and told him he still fondly remembered his own
Jesuit Teacher, Fr. T. N. Sequeira. Later in the afternoon the
Teachers were taken to Rashtrapati Bhawan and the Mughal
Gardens, the visit ending with a very high tea hosted by the
President.
This year the Government invited one companion with every
Award wining Teacher to be State Guests, the Government paying
for Travel @ First Class Train fare, as well as more than
decent Board and Lodging for two that the Ministry had booked
in 3 star hotels for three days, for both Teacher and
Companion – though the government circular read “for Awardee
plus accomplice”!! (The circular had also requested the
Nominated Teachers to fill in certain information on given
sheets, and if the front of the sheet was not sufficient, to
write the rest on their backside…!!) Fr. Oscar Rozario went
with Fr.Evarist as his “accomplice”!
On the day prior to the Awards Ceremony, there was a
rehearsal at Vigyan Bhawan, after which the Awards designates
(and their accomplices !) were treated to lunch hosted by Mr.
Arjun Singh, HRD Minister.
The National Award Ceremony, with all its pomp, splendour
and benefits, is a laudable effort by the Government of India
to highlight the nobility of the teaching profession and its
unique role in forming a great, glorious India.
Events
National Award for Fr. Evarist Newnes