SHIMLA -19 January, 2026-Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla emphasized the importance of providing quality education, particularly in rural areas of the state, and said that educational institutions should be judged not merely by infrastructure but by the quality of education imparted and the manner in which students’ talents are nurtured.

The Governor was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the undergraduate programmes at Sarvepalli Dr. Radhakrishnan College of Education, Nogli, in Rampur subdivision of Shimla district, today.

He said that teachers and teacher training play a crucial role in shaping students, as true education instills the spirit of a teacher within learners. He stressed that training should be aligned with Indian ethos and values. “A good teacher bears the responsibility of shaping good students. In the present times, the concept of ‘guru’ has been replaced by that of a ‘teacher’, but in Indian tradition, the guru has always been revered as a guide and torchbearer of society,” he remarked.

Citing examples from Indian tradition, the Governor said that Lord Ram and Lord Krishna also followed the guru-shishya tradition and adhered to the teachings of their gurus. “The guru is always a guide for society, and when one follows the guru with faith and sincerity, success naturally follows,” he added.

He said that Dr. Radhakrishnan believed teachers were not just subject experts but architects of character, and urged the college to function in accordance with his ideals. The Governor added that the launch of undergraduate courses would open new avenues for students of the region, enabling them to access higher education locally and move towards self-reliance.

Referring to the National Education Policy, the Governor said that the new policy provides an opportunity to reconnect with India’s great thinkers and leaders, while imparting values, ethics among students. He underlined that to protect Himachal Pradesh, it was imperative to eliminate the menace of drug abuse from society.

Earlier, Chairman and Managing Director of the institution, Dr. Mukesh Sharma, welcomed and honoured the Governor and apprised him of the institution’s activities. He also provided details about the newly introduced courses-B.A., B.Sc. and B.Com. and informed that free education facilities were being extended to students from economically weaker sections.

Principal Dr. Seema Bhardwaj also welcomed the Governor.

On the occasion, students of the college presented cultural programmes.

The Governor also released the book “Assessment for Learning”, authored by Dr. Mukesh Kumar and Dr. Seema Bhardwaj, and honoured outstanding individuals from various institutions, social sectors and meritorious students.