About 100 educators nationwide were honored in recognition of their contribution to the field of education.

Transformation

J K Yadav, Director, CBSE said we often talk about education that transforms people—instruction that radically changes how students perceive themselves and others, as well as how they interact with and contribute to the wider world.

Nomination

Dr. Rajeev Gupta, Director, Admissions, Sharda University said these teachers were nominated by students from all over India for positively influencing their academic or personal lives.

A select group of principals, who made significant contributions in their fields, were also recognized during the event, said Director of Admissions of Sharda University.

Initiative

This initiative was nurtured in 2015 and received a lot of appreciation from the Education Fraternity.

This is the sixth edition for which nominations where invited from our students for their school teachers who inspired and transformed their life anyway in terms of academic career or in personal life, he said.

He also stated, the university’s admission director, the prize recognizes instructors who have significantly influenced the students enrolled in their courses, he said.

Because of their commitment to the trade and their skills as instructors, these professors have influenced the lives and artistic paths of their students, he said.

Chancellor of Sharda University

PK Gupta, Chancellor, Sharda University said in order for people to thrive in their vocations and professions, teachers are essential.

‘A excellent teacher teaches us to be responsible citizens of the nation and good people in society.’

Some teachers, on the other hand, make such a lasting impression on their students that they are never forgotten, he said.

Chancellor of Sharda University said that every board needs to set up a feedback portal where students may voice their thoughts.

He added that each student has a special gift, and it is the duty of the instructor to identify it and help the student succeed in it.

Honor

Senior Teacher from Greater Valley School Dr. Kavita Chauhan said it’s an honor to stand here today and receive this award.

While I am deeply grateful, I must acknowledge that this recognition is not just mine — it belongs to the entire school community, she said.

First, a heartfelt thank you to our school leadership for their unwavering support and to my colleagues for their continuous dedication, she said.

‘Together, we create an environment where students can truly thrive. But most importantly, I want to thank our students.’

Your curiosity, hard work, and enthusiasm are the reasons we strive to be better every day. This award is a reflection of your efforts, and I am proud to be part of your journey, she said.

Other eminent personalities present during the event were Sharda University Chancellor P K Gupta, Admission Director of Sharda University Dr. Rajeev Gupta, Dr. Parmanand, Pro Chancellor, Sharda University, Dr Nirupama Gupta, Dean, Dr. Ajit Kumar, Director of PR of Sharda University.

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Designed to monitor the freshness of seafood in real-time by responding to pH changes, the film offers a practical solution for improving food safety and reducing waste.

This film detects the release of volatile amines, compounds typically associated with spoilage, and indicates food quality through visible color changes, say sources from NIT Rourkela.

These natural components make the film biodegradable, safe, and responsive, aligning with sustainability goals and offering a non-invasive way to assess seafood freshness.

Findings

The findings of this research have been published in the journal Food Packaging and Shelf Life in a paper co-authored by Prof. Preetam Sarkar (as the lead corresponding author), along with his research scholars, Mr. Rahul Thakur, Miss Harshi Singhi, Mr. Vedsagar Rajesh Suryavanshi, and Dr. Ravichandran Santhosh.

Other co-authors in this work include Dr. Khalid Gul from NIT Rourkela, Dr. Swarup Roy from Lovely Professional University, Dr. Srinivas Janaswamy from South Dakota State University, Brookings, USA and Dr. Kirtiraj K. Gaikwad from IIT Roorkee.

Fishing

India is the world’s second-largest fish-producing nation, contributing approximately 8% of global fish production, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

It also holds the distinction of being the top five producer of shrimp globally, with frozen shrimp being the top export commodity.

Given the scale and importance of seafood production, innovations that ensure freshness and reduce spoilage are of immense value, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

In this context, intelligent packaging systems, which preserve food while monitoring its quality, are rapidly gaining global interest.

Unlike conventional packaging that serves merely as a protective barrier, the intelligent packaging film developed by NIT Rourkela team offers visual cues about the product’s condition, making it a promising solution for enhancing food safety and reducing waste.

The beetroot peel extract was prepared separately, and then combined with the starch, gum tragacanth, and a small amount of glycerol to cast the films.

These were dried and tested for their pH-sensitivity and effectiveness in monitoring seafood freshness, said Prof Preetam of NIT Rourkela.

Pigments

Beetroot peels contain betalains, a group of pigments known for their bright colours and pH sensitivity, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

These pigments also offer antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits, making them suitable for food-related applications.

Incorporating these natural compounds into the starch-based film creates a biodegradable, safe, and responsive packaging material.

When the seafood begins to spoil and pH levels rise, the film changes colour, providing a clear visual indicator of freshness.

Starch

The choice of Kodo millet starch and gum tragacanth contributes to the film’s biodegradable and eco-friendly profile.

Kodo millet is an underutilised grain with excellent film-forming properties, while gum tragacanth enhances the mechanical strength and flexibility of the material.

The researchers believe that using such agricultural by-products not only supports sustainability but also adds value to food processing waste, such as beetroot peels.

At the laboratory scale, the cost of producing the film was estimated approximately Rs. 900 per kilogram.

When scaled up for industrial production, the cost is projected to range between Rs. 400 and Rs. 600 per kilogram, making it a potentially viable option for commercial use.

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