Chandigarh, Sept. 10 -- Prem Chand, a JBT teacher at Government Model High School (GMHS), Sector 54, Chandigarh, was honoured with the Teachers' State Award 2026 by the governor of Punjab and administrator, UT Chandigarh, Gulab Chand Kataria, on the occasion of Teachers' Day in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the field of education. An Army veteran who served the Indian Army for 16 years before joining the education department, Prem Chand has emerged as a source of inspiration for students and fellow educators alike. He is widely known for integrating experiential learning with environmental education through innovative initiatives such as the development of a kitchen garden and herbal garden in the school campus. He also pioneered the creation of vertical gardens using single-use plastic bottles, helping students develop scientific temperament, environmental awareness, and sustainable living practices. Under his mentorship, students have excelled in science exhibitions, literary competitions, letter writing competitions, spell bee contests, and other academic events, bringing laurels to the school at international, national, and state levels. His commitment to nurturing creativity and critical thinking has particularly strengthened students' writing and communication skills through innovative teaching approaches. Beyond academics, Prem Chand has successfully mobilised community support to strengthen school infrastructure and collaborated with NGOs....