The President Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil today asserted that the Teachers have a crucial role in inspiring young generation. This, she said is particularly important in the areas of education, intellectual capacity and caliber to meet new challenges and requirements of a developing nation.

Speaking at a function in New Delhi today to mark Teacher's Day, Mrs. Patil urged the Teachers to be role models for youth to inculcate values of honesty, fight against corruption and corrupt practices. She also called for instilling good habits in the upcoming generation.

The President called for increasing the enrolment ratio at the school level which is at 73 percent at present. She also called for increasing the pupil teacher ratio and maintained major initiatives are required in the education sector to achieve the desired objectives.

Mrs. Patil stressed the need for having a system which aims at holistic development of the youth of the country. She said that the success of the nation depends on how youth develop team work in various national activities particularly in the areas of technology and research.

Earlier, she presented 298 teachers awards for their outstanding performance . Each award carries a certificate of merit, a silver medal and a cash prize of twenty five thousand rupees. The award is being given every year on the birthday of former President Dr. S. Radhkrishnan. Minister of Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal and several other dignitaries were also present in the occasion.