If I examine the memories I treasure most, I find that many of them revolve around school and college – my friends, my teachers, my awards, my shenanigans, my punishments and some involve my report card. I find them sort of Katta Meeta, but they will always remain with me and I hope to pass them on in the form of stories to my children and their progeny! This I gather is the case with almost all of us!
One such memory I cherish is my first mathematics class in 11th grade. I was conversing with a classmate as the teacher droned on about algebra, when suddenly I heard a voice say loudly, “stand up”. I looked up only to find the lecturer staring in our direction. We stood up. We had to, as more than 40 pairs of eyes turned toward us.
Since that day till the end of my semester, I was a noted student. In all the classes, the teacher made sure I was asked to answer at least one mathematical problem listed on the board. Finally, before my boards, when I went to ask for the revision question papers, she smiled at me, for the very first time! “All the best. I know you will score well.” And that is how she trained me to obtain distinction in the subject. How can I forget that experience?
Excellence has many factors – Knowledge, Circumstance, Perseverance, and of course Intelligence. But knowledge is the key and the desire to gain it, the ability to retain it, and the capacity to use it is something only a teacher dedicated to his / her noble profession can give us. And the way he/she does it remains etched in our memory forever. But do we remain in theirs? This is where I am surprised. Even though life changes our physical contours in numerous ways, a teacher will spot us and even remember our names years later!
I’ve had that experience myself. Now, how do they do that? I cannot even remember what I studied for the last exam! I think it is much like how a parent cannot forget their children.
But Teachers are not teachers alone. They are mentors who are the ecosystem of our formative years guiding us professionally, mentoring our personal growth, and grooming us for our destiny in this world!
Teachers catch us young, guiding us in our studies and often going beyond and into our personal life, supporting us to serve the society in a way only we can! And for them it is a challenge – that is at once a delicate balance between work and home, and between the rod and the child! And they overcome it, sometimes for their livelihood, but more so because of their love for the profession.
And so, to celebrate the people who man this noble profession, we celebrate Sept 5 as Teacher’s Day. Who does not remember the sweet memory of giving out roses to teachers on this day? The way we pulled their legs with pranks and made them take the stage and entertain us? This time it will be virtual roses and virtual drama – literally! But a rose is a rose whether it is in the ground, in your hand, or on your laptop. What matters more, however, is the feeling of love within as the rose transfers its residence and affection.
Teacher’s Day and Dr. Radhakrishnan
Teacher’s Day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Dr. Radhakrishnan was India’s first Vice-President and second President. He was born on September 5, 1888. Having served as a teacher in various institutions and colleges, Dr. Radhakrishnan was a teacher first but a writer too. The Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore was one of his literary works. He also authored books such as the Reason of Religion in Contemporary Philosophy, and India Philosophy. These publications earned global recognition, that led him to visit Western Universities such as Oxford University, England.
He went beyond teaching to administer Calcutta University, Andhra University, and Banaras Hindu University as Vice-Chancellor. But his first love was teaching. He always received the utmost love and support from various students for his lectures, and he was considered an ideal teacher by many. Dr. Sarvapalli said teaching gave him satisfaction and peace of mind.
One of the greatest philosophers of modern times, Dr. Radhakrishnan was born in Tiruttani, Tamilnadu in the year of 1888. Being born in a Brahmin family, he studied the epics and Puranas at an early age. On completion of his education, he did his F A (Intermediate) at the Voorhees College, Vellore, and degree at the Christian College, Madras. While studying at Christian College, he came to read the Bible. Always a probing mind, he analyzed both the religious scripts and was convinced that the truth and the message are the same in all religions. A great orator and leader, he could easily critically analyze and illustrate philosophical truths.
After Independence, he served as the Ambassador of India in Moscow, being the first one to be received in person by Russia’s then supreme leader, Stalin. He then served as the Vice-President of India and later succeeded Dr. Rajendra Prasad as President of India.
After being elected as the President of India in 1962, his beloved students yearned to celebrate their teacher’s birthday. But is the simple, humble man he was, he spurned the idea with another. He requested that September 5th be celebrated as Teacher’s Day and since then, it has always been observed as such.
He was subsequently conferred with India’s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna, in 1954. Dr, Radhakrishnan was also honored with honorary membership of the British Royal Order of Merit in 1963. The great leader was nominated for the Nobel Prize 27 times! He bid goodbye to the world in April 1975.
He is a person, a hero of the teaching profession that every teacher can and must look up to not only on September 5th, but every day, for inspiration, for guidance, and for just plain support.
By nourishing us and preparing us for every obstacle that we face, teachers are the icons of our knowledge. We can move them our screen but they will always be there for us to clck on when we need them. They have always been the illuminating source of light in our lives, guiding us through the darkness. They are the true pillars of our success, enabling us to reach the heights we do. This teacher’s day let us all remember all our teachers who taught us and will someday probably teach our children!
And to conclude let me quote Henry Brooks Adams: “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”
