Patna: Chemistry teacher Laxmi Kant Mishra retired from Patna University in 1999 but the 80-year-old is yet to retire from the profession - he takes at least two classes a day at his old department since then.

Patna University on Saturday felicitated 25 such retired teachers who continue to provide their services. Education minister Krishan Nandan Prasad Verma was the chief guest at the ceremony organised at the university's Wheeler Senate Hall. Vice-chancellor Rash Bihari Prasad Singh presided over the function.

Mishra said: "I joined Patna University in 1964 and after serving it for 35 years, I retired in 1999. At that time, vice-chancellor Nazre Hassan asked me to continue teaching the students. I was initially reluctant, but later I thought that teaching is a noble profession and I should continue. So, since then I regularly come to the university and take a minimum of two classes a day."

Former head of department, English, Shiv Jatan Thakur retired from service this June but he too takes two classes a day. Thakur, who is visually impaired, said: "Patna University is faced with acute shortage of teachers and even though it got new teachers from the Bihar Public Service Commission, various departments are still short on faculty members. If retired teachers volunteer to take even one-two classes a day, the problem can be addressed."

Thakur, regarded as a straightforward person by peers, added: "Teachers who have retired from service are getting handsome pension, so financial problem is not an issue for many of them. Also, the respect a teacher earns is more than in any other profession."

Muniba Sami, another English teacher who retired in 2013, said: "Teaching is different from any other job. The more you impart knowledge the more you learn."

Minister Verma praised the university's initiative. Vice-Chancellor Singh said: "The teachers felicitated on Saturday are more regular than the regular teachers. Their selfless service is a source of inspiration for rest of the teachers, especially those who have joined recently."