Karnataka CM announces 'Tr' prefix for teachers on Teachers' Day
Karnataka CM Shivakumar announced on Teachers' Day that teachers can use the 'Tr' prefix, honouring their role in nation-building.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has announced that teachers in the state can now use the prefix 'Tr' before their names, a move intended to give the profession a distinct identity. The announcement was made on Teachers' Day, which marks the birth anniversary of former President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
The prefix is designed to parallel professional titles used in other fields, such as 'Dr' for doctors, 'Er' for engineers, and 'Prof' for professors. In a post on X, the Chief Minister stated that a teacher builds every person who goes on to build the nation, and that the title is a mark of respect for their contribution to society.
Shivakumar noted that India has more than one crore teachers, including nearly 4.5 lakh in Karnataka, who shape the minds and character of children daily. He described the two-letter prefix as a symbol of a lifetime of service and society's recognition of those dedicated to shaping the lives of others.
Speaking after launching the 'Praja Seva Abhiyan' in Kudligi in Vijayanagara district, the Chief Minister said the decision was taken following discussions in a cabinet meeting. He remarked that society regards parents and teachers as God-like figures, adding that serving through education is serving the Almighty.
He further stated that soldiers, workers, teachers, and farmers are pillars of the nation and must be respected, calling it the responsibility of the government. The announcement allows teachers in the state to adopt the prefix from today.