India, Sept. 10 -- The Maharashtra government has renamed the prestigious 'Ideal State Teacher Award' as the 'Dr J P Naik Ideal State Teacher Award' in honour of renowned educationist, Padma Bhushan Dr J P Naik. The decision was taken by higher and technical education minister Chandrakant Patil who described the move as a meaningful tribute to one of India's greatest educational thinkers. With this, the state aims not only to honour the legacy of Dr Naik but also uphold his vision of dedicated, value-based and impactful education.

Dr J P Naik was born on September 5, 1907 in Bahirewadi, Ajara taluka, Kolhapur district, and is regarded as a guiding light of Indian education. He devoted his life to strengthening the education system and pr...