Gave 100 pc board results, set up herbal garden: Meet Chandigarh teacher chosen for national award

‘My father cycled to duty all his life’

For Parveen, the honour is deeply personal. “Aaj bhookh nahin hai (I am not feeling hungry tonight),” she said, overwhelmed with joy. Her parents, both retired teachers, were emotional too. “My daughter has always been first-class. She would get around 80 percent marks when marks were hard to get. She is MA in History and English and has done MPhil in English,” said her father, Pawan Kumar, 69, a retired Social Studies master from Kotra Khas village in Haryana’s Yamunanagar district. “Saari umar mere husband ne cycle pe duty kari hai (My husband has been going to teach on cycle all his career). His hard work has paid off,” added her mother, Naresh Kumari, also 69.

The then UT chief conservator of forests T C Nautiyal (in black suit) with the Eco Club incharges he honoured before his retirement in February this year. To his left is Parveen Kumari and to his right is Om Parkash. (Express Photo)

Her husband, Rajneesh Kumar, runs a pharmaceutical firm, while their son Parth is pursuing BTech and daughter Prachi studies in Class 9 at Air Force School.

Innovator in and beyond the classroom

Parveen, an alumna of Kurukshetra University with an MA in English and History and an MPhil, has redefined classroom learning. Her initiatives include setting up a Herbal Nursery and a Lily Pond in the school for experiential learning in geography and economics. She established a Social Science Lab equipped with technology-driven resources and uses creative methods such as puppetry, role-play, dance, and music to make lessons engaging.

In the digital space, she runs two podcasts and a YouTube channel featuring interviews, moral stories, and conceptual lessons. She has contributed over 150 resources to national platforms like Diksha, PM Vidya, and Kishor Manch, focusing on inclusive education and Hindi-medium learners. Her specially designed FLN worksheets for children with special needs have drawn wide appreciation.

Her role as Coordinator of the Student Police Cadet (SPC) Program since 2018 has empowered girls with training in self-defense, horse riding, road safety, and first aid. As a Guide Captain leading 62 girls, she has taken students to national and international jamborees, fostering cultural exchange. Currently the State Training Commissioner (Guides) for UT Chandigarh, she trains teachers and principals to set up Guide units in schools.

Beyond academics, she leads social awareness drives including “Go Green Diwali,” “Herbal Holi,” anti-tobacco campaigns, and “Nasha Mukt Bharat,” and organizes handicraft stalls to promote entrepreneurship among students.

Legacy of service, love for environment

Parveen’s work has earned her several awards, including the Commendation Award (2021), State Teacher Award (2022), Special Recognition Award (2024), and the Eco Warrior Award from Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria this June. “She has done wonderful work as eco club incharge. I am proud of her,” said T.C. Nautiyal, former UT chief conservator of forests.

Environmental commitment runs in the family. Her uncle Om Parkash, Principal Coordinator for Eco Clubs in Chandigarh schools, won the National Teachers’ Award in 2011. “He has been a source of inspiration,” Parveen said.

Principal Seema summed it up: “She is an all-rounder, always smiling, and never says no to duties.”

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