Happy Teachers’ Day

In India, every year we celebrate Teachers’ Day on 5th of September. The day is the birthday of our former President Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishna who was a teacher, professor, scholar, philosopher and Bharat Ratna awardee. He was also the first Vice President and second President of India.

As we say, words can either make you or break you. In school and college, I am sure there would be atleast one teacher that you adored, who inspired you and guided you, whose words you used to take seriously.

I still remember what my English Teacher in Middle School had told me. She had given a compliment in front of the whole class about my smile and till date I smile and I laugh carefree. When I had received that compliment from my teacher, I just smiled and said, “Thank you”.

Not much thought went into it that time but when I think about that day, it gives me an assurance that you don’t have to laugh or smile with hands on your mouth or be consious about your gums showing everytime you laugh. I don’t have a perfect teeth that you see in a toothpaste advertisement but I have carried her words with me. There were people who have commented on my teeth and made fun of (the last time I had received one comment was last month) but you know what? Those comments never stopped me to be how I am and I think some part of that is because of the compliment that I had recevied when I was growing up from a teacher and since then it has stored in my subconsious.

There have been other instances as well, where I had received mocking from a teacher in High School, they had made fun of where I came from in front of the whole class and I carry that as well with me. Words do matter especially when we are growing up.

Good and bad experiences both have taught me something and I am grateful for every teacher – the good ones and not so good ones for their words because one day I know I will prove them where I have come from and where I am heading.

Being a teacher is not a job. It is a big responsibility. After parents, its the teachers that childrens look upto. For me, I think an ideal teacher would be; who makes learning fun, who encourages asking questions (even the silly ones), who creates an environment where children feel that mark is not a criteria that labels them smart or stupid, who is funny, friendly and knowledgable.

Let’s wish Teachers’ Day to every teacher who has taught you from kindergarten till college and not just college- in every facet of your life there would have been someone who would have taught you, englighted you with a new perspective, inspired you, motivated you to carry on. They can be in form of anyone- maybe your parents, friends, a stranger or even an office colleague.

By wishing, I don’t literally mean that you should go and message your teacher- because we might not even have the means to contact them. But pause for a while, think about them in your head and pray something good for them. If you have their contacts then wish them personally, I am sure it will make their day.

I would like to end with a quote by Bob Talbert, “Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best”.

P.S. – while going to office today in an auto, there was a girl sitting right next to me and she was using her phone and typing something. I know I should not look at someones phone but what I saw just made me smile. She had messaged one of his teacher, Happy Teachers Day with a lovely message that I couldnt finish reading but there it was. I thought after school and college, we just don’t wish teachers but seeing her do so gave me hope that there are people that are grateful.