Students pay respects to their teachers at Saraswati Vidya Mandir in Bhimatangi, Bhubaneswar, on the occasion of Teachers’ Day on Thursday. Teachers from various schools of the state handed over a charter of demands to chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday. Under the banner of United Teachers’ and Employees’ Association, the teachers pressed for demands, which ranging from abolition of the block grant system to distribution of dry food in place of cooked meals under the midday meal scheme. Naveen said the government had already taken a decision for appointment of 25,000 teachers and 800 lecturers. He asked the teachers to focus more on imparting moral education and encouraging scientific curiosity among students. Text by our correspondent, Telegraph picture