TEACHER'S DAY SPECIAL: AN ELITE GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS WHO DEFINED AND ANIMATED MY LIFE

In India, September 5 is celebrated as the 'Teachers' Day', marking the birth anniversary of former President of India, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was highly acclaimed for his teaching capabilities. 

Dr. Radhakrishnan once said,

''Instead of celebrating my birthday separately, it would be a privilege if September 5 is observed as 'Teachers' Day'.''

Portrait 1: Official portrait of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan

The power of a teacher to integrate and define students feelings is unparalleled. They have this unique capability to understand each of his/her students in detail and help assist them in their quest for knowledge.

No one on the entire world has achieved anything worthwhile without the aid and support of a teacher. Take any individual, of any background, any religion or any caste, if he has a good education, he can apply his mind and soul to overcome the challenges that he faces in his life. Education is incomplete without a teacher because they are the ones who plant the seeds of knowledge in them.

Speaking about myself, teachers have always been an integral part in my development as a student and I think it is the same with others too. 

You can take the example of any individual whom who have met, interacted or known in life, their roots to success always points towards their parents and teachers in particular who nurtured them in their life time, Teachers have this ability of blending the right mix of knowledge and ideas in a student which in the later stage would definitely help them in their endeavors.

They beat us, they scold us, not because they like doing it, instead they want us to more focused and attentive. From my own personal experiences I have known that though they scold us they are actually suffering a lot in doing so. In a lot of ways, teachers resemble parents, they are considerate and work tirelessly so that we can live a smart and secure life.

Figure 1: My school, a feeling of proudness!

As school students, we spent a great deal of time in our schools than in our homes. This simple understanding is enough to underline the great role that teachers play in our life and how they can influence our lives a lot. 

As a science student, I can very well say the extend to which my teachers have developed my interest in science and technology. The love and affection with which they taught me really helped me with my studies at the same time I could devote a lot of time on my scientific studies too under the able guidance of my teachers. 

Growing up in a family of teachers, I understood the difficulties that they suffered and how they burnt their midnight oil to teach us and make us understand the various vivid and interesting concepts associated with our mother nature. I till cherish those moments when my teachers taught me concepts like, genetic transcription, AC currents, atomic structures, trigonometry etc.

My teachers have lighted my mind with two of the most powerful tools in the world today:-

1) Knowledge

2) Good behavior

Wherever I go and whoever I met in my life, I have tried to uphold the above mentioned values which can only be inculcated in you but can never be taken away from you by any motive force on this universe. 

Many students whom I have met in my life have said to me that schooling is boring and teachers are terrible. But from my twelve years of schooling and the experiences in life that I have come across till date, I can commandingly proclaim that schooling is the best part of your life and teachers, a synonym of knowledge and compassion. 

My teacher's used to say me that grades are secondary, your behavior speaks first. And I think this is true. Wherever you go it is your behavior that the interviewers first analyse even before they ask for your marks. You may be prolific in science subjects but you will never get into a science institute if you are devoid of a good behavior. Many students do not clear interviews due to the backlog in their attitude. This brings us to the next important quality that teachers inculcate in us, 'good behavior'. 

A good student, who is studious and at the same time owns a good behavior, would definitely have had a good teacher. 

When you hurt a teacher you are in fact polluting your own mind and soul . Hurting the teachers feelings, destabilises your potential which in turn can undermine your future, I may sound theological now, but this is the truth. Whenever you hurt them just think about what you would feel when you think from their point of view. The present generation does not have any shame in criticising their teachers, they think that its their right to criticise.

The reader should also understand that I was also scolded by my teachers. But speaking truthfully, I never developed a grudge towards them for their actions. I learnt new lessons from each scolding, these lessons proved to be beneficial for my development in life. 

I don't know how to express my feelings at this moment of the contributions of my teachers in my life. I don't know how to pay them back for all that they did to my life. But I know from my personal experiences that teachers teach but they don't expect anything in return for their painstaking efforts. They only hope that their students reach the pinnacle of success and will work for the development of humankind. 

It is our duty to learn from them and respect their sacrifices, for they worked hard to teach you and make a responsible citizen out of you...

''The greatest quality of a teacher is the ability to influence a student to think not what they think but to think as they think''

I wish all the teachers, a very 'Happy Teachers' Day'!

Thank you for supporting us and guiding us in all our endeavours!

References:

My experiences...