BP Roy. Picture by Jai Prakash

Patna, Sept. 2: Teachers’ Day will now have a special significance for students of St Michael’s High School. For, their commerce and accountancy teacher B.P. Roy, greatly revered by every student, has been selected by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for “Award to Teachers for the year 2010” in recognition of his contribution to secondary education.

Union human resource development minister Kapil Sibal will present Roy, an assistant teacher at the school, the award at India International Centre, New Delhi, on September 4. Roy’s award comprises a certificate of commendation, Rs 25,000 and a shawl.

Roy dedicated the award to his students. “I believe such awards should be given collectively to my students. It is them who have always given me the motivation and the energy to train them to the best of my abilities. Their success in life is the best award for me and I would continue to work for their betterment,” he told The Telegraph.

K.K. Jain, deputy secretary, CBSE, Patna region, said: “Each year, two teachers or principals are selected by the CBSE from each of its seven regions (Ajmer, Allahabad, Chennai, Delhi, Patna, Panchkula and Guwahati) for the annual Award to Teachers. Patna region consists of Bihar and Jharkhand, and this year, B.P. Roy from St Michael’s High School, Patna, and the principal of DAV School Koyla Nagar, Dhanbad, have been selected for the award.”

Roy’s recognition has brought immense pride and joy to his mother, Bharti Roy, too. “Raja (Roy’s nickname) has always been deeply involved with academics. Even when he was a student, he used to be dedicated and devoted to his studies. I am glad that today his efforts are being recognised at the national level. Also, I would like my child to come and teach students in Bengal as well,” she told The Telegraph over phone from Bengal. Roy was born in Bankura district of Bengal and came to Patna in 1993.

Shubham Kumar, a 2004 passout from St Michael’s and at present a chartered accountant working in Bangalore, said: “Roy Sir has an unique personality with which he has made the life of many weak students. He explains his subject matter in such detail and in a student-friendly manner that even the dullest of minds can grasp it. I believe Roy Sir deserves credit for much of what I have achieved in life.”