NEW DELHI: Saluting their positive influence on the lives of children, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted lakhs of teachers on the occasion of Teachers’ Day via a personalised email on Wednesday.Reaching out to the teaching community while paying tribute to Dr S Radhakrishnan, Modi in his email said that teachers inspire as well as inform, educate and enlighten.Mentioning their tremendous influence on the lives of children, the PM added that the values inculcated by teachers stay with the students for a lifetime. He quoted former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who had said: “Teaching is a very noble profession that shapes the character, calibre and future of an individual.”Stating the role of teachers will be vital for the 21st century society where education, research and innovation have been accorded highest priority, he added, “Needless to say, this makes the role of our teachers extremely vital.”“I am sure you are keeping up-to-date with the latest advances in technology and further connecting your students with the technological trends,” Modi wrote in his letter to teachers, while highlighting some of the efforts of his government to bring about a paradigm shift in the education sector.“Thanks to the monumental efforts of teachers like you, the focus has successfully shifted from outlays to outcomes, from teaching to learning. The emphasis on skill development has received a significant push due to the Atal Tinkering Labs. Numerous universities are being set up across India so that no youngster is denied the joys of quality education,” the Prime Minister said.Noting that on October 2, we mark the start of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi , the Prime Minister exhorted the teaching community to take the lead in furthering the thoughts and noble ideals of Bapu in an innovative manner, among the students.Reiterating his vision of a New India by 2022, the PM urged the teaching community to devote the coming four years towards fulfilling the dreams and vision of those who gave their lives for our freedom.“I urge you to focus on any issue close to your heart, mobilise local communities and make a positive difference in the lives of those around you. This would be a fitting tribute to our freedom fighters and further the resolve to build a New India,” said Modi.