Ranjitsinh Disale, the 1st Indian to win 7.4 crores global teacher award

While we are discussing education, know some interesting facts about Nalanda University

We call ourselves VishwaGuru, which translates to World-Teacher, but there have been only a few instances in this century when we have really taught the world. There are only a limited number of students who come from other countries for education in our country. However, a teacher Ranjitsinh Disale has made India proud by winning the coveted Global Teacher Award 2020.

Disale, who belongs to Solapur, won a USD 1 million or 7 crores in Indian currencies as he won the Global Teacher Award. The award is a recognition of teachers for their contribution to the field of teaching. The event was organized virtually due to the Coronavirus pandemic and yet the moment of joy it brought for Ranjitsinh Disale and India as unparalleled.

The award ceremony was broadcasted from the Natural History Museum in London. Stephen Fry, known British actor, while hosting the ceremony announced the winner. Soon after the announcement, Ranjitsinh announced that he will share half of the prize money with 9 other finalists.

Read more: Rewind 2020: We need to thank these people for their awesome work

The reaction of Ranjitsinh Disale is priceless after winning the award              

Wow! Here’s THE MOMENT Stephen Fry announced Ranjitsinh Disale as the Winner of The Global Teacher Prize 2020! Congratulations Ranjit! Watch here: https://t.co/9t5GXaIJ58 @ranjitdisale @stephenfry #GTP2020 #TeachersMatter #globalteacherprize #India @NHM_London @UNESCO pic.twitter.com/eQjSosGQwY

— Global Teacher Prize (@TeacherPrize) December 3, 2020

Ranjitsinh Disale is a 32-year-old teacher, who hails from Paritewadi village in Maharashtra’s Solapur district. He emerged as the winner among 12,000 nominations from 140 countries around the world. He was awarded for his work towards girl education and the innovative use of technology for rural children.

This is one of the rarest moments when Indian has achieved something in the education sector on a global level. Gone are the days when a huge number of foreign students used to come to India for students.

Nalanda University once brought students from foreign countries

Nalanda University in Bihar was one of the best universities in the world for more than 800 years.  Students from different parts of the world used to come to India to one of the greatest libraries in the world. NU was spread over three buildings – Ratnadadhi, Ratnasagara, and Ratnaranjaka. All these three buildings were nine stories high and had a huge collection of books that covered various subjects ranging from astronomy, literature, religion, astrology, medicine, politics, the art of war, and more.

Nalanda University was originally established by the Gupta Kings during the Gupta period in the 6^th century AD. The entrance procedure at Nalanda University was considered difficult and rigid. Aspirants had to go through three levels of tests to prove their capability of being admitted into the university. Rules, regulations, and discipline of the college were unmatched. It is believed that the great mathematician Aryabhatt was head of the university.

It is believed that Bakhtiyar Khilji got disturbed by the fact that the Indian teacher and scholar knew more than the doctor at his court. So, he decided to destroy the roots of knowledge, Ayurveda, and Buddhism, from the country by demolishing the Nalanda University. He set ablaze the great library of Nalanda University which had around 90 lakh manuscripts. The library was so huge and strong that it took almost 3 months to completely destroy it.

Before it was destroyed, teachers and scholars from places as far as Japan, Korea, Greece, Persia, Greater Iran, Tibet was part of the University.