From rural roots to state laurels!

From the quiet village of Rihala in Kangra to the classrooms of Serathana, Anita Chaudhary’s story is one of grit, passion and transformation. A devoted biology lecturer at Government Senior Secondary School (GSSS), Serathana, she has now been honoured with the State Teacher Award 2025, a recognition of her relentless efforts to nurture rural talent and spark a love for science.

An alumna of MCM DAV College, Kangra, and Panjab University, Chandigarh, Anita began her teaching career at GSSS-Rakkar in 2000, where she served with distinction for 18 years before moving to Serathana. Over the course of 25 years, she has done more than just teach — she has built futures.

Her classrooms have become gateways to opportunities once thought distant for rural children. Many of her students, from modest backgrounds, have cleared NEET and other competitive exams, gone on to medical colleges, donned the uniform of the armed forces or pursued careers in research and paramedical sciences.

What makes Anita stand out is her heart beyond the blackboard — holding evening and holiday classes, helping finance coaching and study materials for underprivileged students and even switching seamlessly to online teaching during the pandemic to ensure learning never stopped.

“She’s obedient, hardworking and has lifted the entire school,” said Dr Sandip Awasthy, Principal of GSSS-Serathana. “Thanks to her tireless efforts, our students even reached the state level in the Children’s Science Congress.”

Her teaching philosophy blends academics with personality development and awareness of the world around, shaping not just achievers but confident citizens. To her students, she is not only a teacher but a mentor, guide and friend. To her community, she is the epitome of dedication.