(L-R) Chef Shaun Kenworthy, chef Sanjay Kak (director, culinary arts, IndiSmart Group), Suborno Bose, Teacher Chef winner Sandeepa Sen of Delhi Public School Ruby Park, Pinky Kenworthy, first runner-up Sushmita Basu from Bhawanipur Education Society, second runner-up Seema Agarwal from Delhi Public School Megacity and Sanjukta Bose (director, IIHM Calcutta). “I’m speechless, I really didn’t expect to win. But I really enjoy cooking,” beamed Sandeepa, who dedicated her win to her eight-year-old son Aryaman.
She walked away with a cool prize of Rs 50,000.
While the jury is out on what is the most noble profession, there is no doubt on who helps you get there: a teacher. A teacher nurtures you, helps you realise your dreams and motivates you to achieve your full potential. To give them their due, IIHM hosted the Teacher’s Day Awards, honouring 40 teachers from schools in Calcutta as well as Darjeeling, Ranchi and Matigara.
“Today we’re here to celebrate success — success of your students, success of you as teachers and the school you’re representing. Teachers invest their time in the youth. But they don’t really get the recognition that they deserve. So this is a humble effort on part of our team to honour you. We really believe what we say — teachers change lives,” said Suborno Bose, chief mentor and CEO of IIHM and the IndiSmart Group, welcoming the teachers.
For the next hour, the spotlight was on teachers nominated for the award by their principals. The teachers came up on stage and shared stories of what it meant to be a teacher.
After the Teacher’s Day awards, it was time to confer the Teacher Chef award! Twelve school teachers battled it out in the kitchen producing their best dishes in just an hour. The winner walked away with a cool cash prize and a certificate. The evening was concluded with a celebratory dinner and big smiles.
(R-L) Apilla Gupta, Hindi teacher from South City International School, receives her Teacher’s Day award from John A. Bagul, principal of South City International School, and Sanjukta Bose of IIHM. “It was an out-of-the-world experience to win the award. Teaching is such a wonderful experience — being around young minds keeps me energetic and positive,” she said.
“Thank you IIHM for recognising the values that our school stands for. I’m a past pupil of Loreto and I’ve been teaching there for the past 28 years. Whatever I am today is because of my school,” said Grace Williams from Loreto Convent Entally.
“I would like to thank my parents and my elder sister because they were my first teachers. I’m very proud to be a part of Birla High School, it’s a second home for me. And I’m extremely proud that I chose this profession,” said Renu Bubna from Birla High School.
“I want to thank my principal, all the students and all the parents for giving me an opportunity to teach the way I want, without any boundaries,” said Hafizul Mondal of DPS Ruby Park.
“To win the award was totally unexpected. I’ve served my school with dedication for the past 10 years. The Mahadevi Birla World Academy family is wonderful and the ambience of the school is very nurturing,” said Atindra Chaudhury.
