New Delhi (05 September 2025): As India celebrates Teachers’ Day, Ten News Network is honored to bring you a special conversation with one of the most respected voices in Indian academia—Dr. H. Chaturvedi, Director General of IILM Lodhi Road, New Delhi, often revered as a ‘Management Guru’.
In an insightful interview with Ten News Network, Dr. Chaturvedi reflects on the meaning of Teachers’ Day, the changing landscape of education in India, and the pivotal role teachers play in shaping the nation’s future in the era of Artificial Intelligence and disruptive technologies.
Dr. Chaturvedi extended his wishes on Teachers’ Day and shared his candid views on the current status of teachers in India.
“I have mixed feelings on this day. While the recognition of teachers in government jobs has improved, the same cannot be said for those in private schools, he remarked. Many private institutions are not doing justice to their teachers, either in terms of remuneration or respect. This needs urgent attention.”
He emphasized that teachers must be given a central role in nation-building if India aims to achieve its ambitious goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
“We talk about becoming a developed country in 22 years. That’s not far away—it will happen in our lifetime. But this journey is impossible without quality teachers. They are the real nation-builders. Engineers, IAS officers, managers—all of them are taught by teachers. Yet, unfortunately, the teaching profession is not given the same level of respect or financial security.”
When asked about being called a “Management Guru” and what defines a great teacher, Dr. Chaturvedi humbly responded: I don’t claim to be a guru, but I appreciate the sentiment. A great teacher is someone who takes pride in their profession, regardless of their salary or circumstances.
He acknowledged the challenges many teachers face, especially in low-paying jobs, but stressed the importance of self-respect and dedication.
“You must never feel inferior because you are a teacher. You are the owner of knowledge and wisdom. If you work hard and worship Saraswati—the goddess of learning—you will never be disappointed,” he said.
He also highlighted the need for continuous learning and collaboration: An ideal teacher should constantly work on improving their skills, developing strong communication, staying updated with new knowledge, and most importantly—showing empathy toward students. Teaching is not just a job—it’s a mission.
In a world rapidly shifting towards automation, Dr. Chaturvedi shared his vision on how technology and AI are transforming the role of teachers.
“Repetitive tasks are increasingly being taken over by AI and robots. They’re efficient, they don’t tire, and they don’t make many mistakes. But can they replace the human element of teaching? Absolutely not.”
He stressed the need for teachers to adapt by learning new technologies such as AI, machine learning, and data analytics. Teachers must stay relevant. The government should ensure regular training programs to help teachers upgrade their skills. However, we must remember that teaching is not about rote learning. We don’t want parrots—we want thinkers.
“Teachers should encourage critical and creative thinking in students. Whether in primary or secondary education, students should be challenged with real-life problems and encouraged to find solutions. This is how you create innovators.”
Dr. Chaturvedi concluded with a powerful message about the irreplaceable human qualities of educators: Robots and AI lack empathy, intuition, and moral judgment. For instance, if someone collapses on the street, AI cannot take human responsibility. It is the teacher—through their values, compassion, and training—who instills this human touch in students.
“We must understand that creativity, empathy, and intuition are beyond the reach of machines. Teachers are the ones who nurture these qualities in students.”
Dr. Chaturvedi called for urgent policy-level changes to empower teachers, especially in terms of autonomy and governance. He said, Schools should not be controlled solely by directors or inspectors. Teachers should have a say in how education is delivered. Only when we empower our teachers can we empower our nation.
As India transitions into a knowledge-driven, AI-enabled economy, Dr. Chaturvedi’s message is clear: Teachers are the true Architects of India’s future.
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