Ludhiana, Oct. 9 -- Despite a decade of dedication, repeated protests and numerous meetings with officials, teachers of meritorious schools across Punjab continue to wait for the regularisation of their jobs. Their struggle stands in sharp contrast to the remarkable academic success of their students, many of whom have excelled in competitive exams like NEET and JEE, they say.

These teachers, many of whom are PhD holders and NET-qualified professionals, have been serving without salary increments, allowances or even basic facilities. "We have been waiting for regularisation for over a decade," said Lakhvir Singh, a teacher at Ludhiana's Meritorious School, who carries a green pen made of paper in each protest- a symbolic reminder of the ...