Teacher's day is being celebrated throughout the country today. This day is celebrated every year on the 5th September to commemorate the birthday of former President Dr S Radhakhrishnan, a philosopher and a teacher par excellence. A number of functions have been organised to mark the occasion. Addressing the national award winning teachers in New Delhi yesterday, the Prime Minister called for involving them in the process of decision and policy making process of educational reforms. Regretting that teachers are often excluded from this process and day-to-day strategies, Dr Manmohan Singh said that their inclusion in decision-making is a must for educational development and reforms. Emphasising on the need for making the school environment free from fear, trauma and anxiety, the Prime Minister said no child, irrespective of his or her caste, gender or community should dread the thought of going to school. He said that the right to education bans corporal punishment and mental harassment as well detention and expulsion. Dr. Singh urged the teachers to reflect upon the critical area of equality and inclusiveness in the education system. He said the government has initiated several programmes with a focus on girl child, children from scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and minority communities and differently abled children with special needs and problems. He said these schemes will result in the empowerment of the youth only when the teachers are empowered supporters of equality and inclusiveness. The President Mrs Pratibha Devi Singh Patil will give away national awards to outstanding teachers at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi today.