Teaching is not merely a profession but a lifelong commitment to nation-building, and India can emerge as a “Vishwa Guru” only if teachers fulfil their responsibilities with dedication and integrity, Tripura University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Debabrata Das said on Friday.

Addressing the Vyasa Puja and Guru Vandan programme jointly organised by the Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal and the University's Department of Sanskrit, Prof. Das urged teachers to rise above the mindset of being government employees and recognise their larger responsibility as architects of society.

He said the guru-disciple tradition has always been the cornerstone of India's knowledge system and educational heritage. Strengthening that tradition, he added, is essential for preserving Indian values and ensuring the holistic development of society.

Expressing concern over the changing perception of the teaching profession, the Vice-Chancellor observed that many people now regard teaching merely as a career. "Teaching is not just a profession. It is a mission of nation-building. The greatest responsibility of shaping society rests on the shoulders of teachers," he said.

Prof. Das described teachers as the backbone of society, emphasising that they play a decisive role in shaping students' character, values and leadership qualities. "Students closely observe everything their teachers do. Therefore, teachers must lead by example, ensuring that their actions reflect the values they seek to impart," he said. According to him, India's aspiration to become a global leader in knowledge can be realised only through committed and value-driven teachers.

The programme was attended by University Registrar Prof. Samir Kumar Sil, Prof. Shankar Nath Tiwari, Prof. Binod Kumar Mishra and Prof. Debaraj Panigrahi.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Shankar Nath Tiwari, Prant Mantri of Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal, Tripura, and a faculty member of the Department of Sanskrit, said the organisation was founded on the occasion of Ram Navami in 1969. Since then, it has been working to promote India's traditional knowledge systems, Sanatan education and cultural values. "The entire world is one family, and our foremost objective is to ensure a bright future for students through value-based education," he said.