Different identity: Like Dr and Prof, Tr for teacher; CM DK Shivakumar makes big announcement for Karnataka teachers

On the occasion of Teachers’ Day, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced that teachers in the state can use the prefix “Tr” before their names as a mark of respect for their contribution to society.

The prefix is similar to professional titles such as “Dr” for doctors, “Er” for engineers and “Prof” for professors.

“A teacher builds every person who goes on to build a nation,” Shivakumar said in a post on X. “More than one million Indian teachers, including nearly 4.5 million teachers in Karnataka, shape the minds, character and future of our children every day.”

He said that every doctor who heals, engineer who builds, farmer who feeds us, officer who serves, entrepreneur who creates and leader who leads us has a teacher behind him — “someone who first recognized their potential and showed them what was possible.”

“On this Teacher’s Day, the Government of Karnataka has decided to honor this invaluable contribution with great respect. Starting today, the teachers of Karnataka can proudly use the prefix ‘Tr’ before their names,” he said.

Calling the two-letter prefix a symbol of a lifetime of service, Shivakumar said “Tr” is more than just a title — “It’s society’s recognition of those who have dedicated their lives to shaping the lives of others.”

“A society that honors its teachers honors its own future,” he said, thanking teachers for guiding, correcting and encouraging students to believe in themselves.

He said the ‘Tr’ prefix was a recognition the teachers really deserved.

“To serve through education is to serve the Almighty”

After launching the “Praja Seva Abhiyan” in Kudliga in Vijayanagara district, Shivakumar said the state government has decided to allow school teachers to use the prefix “Tr.” in front of their names as a sign of respect for the profession after the discussion at the cabinet meeting.

“Today we are celebrating Teachers’ Day on the occasion of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s birth anniversary. Professionals in other fields get recognition based on their profession. Similarly, the government has decided to give professional recognition to teachers,” he told the gathering.

“Society recognizes two groups of people as God-like – parents who give birth to us and teachers who accompany us through life. Serving through education is service to the Almighty. That’s why we decided to give teachers this title,” he said, calling himself an “education enthusiast”.

Shivakumar noted that teaching is a profession that shapes and leads society without any selfish motives and that soldiers, workers, teachers and farmers are the pillars of the nation.

“We have to respect them. It’s our government’s responsibility,” he said.