To my Launch Pads, I like to call them TEACHERS.

But, teacher, I never will forget

A look you gave to me;

I saw reflected in your eyes

The somebody I could be.

 



 

Every individual's life is usually a perfect division of two - Student life and thereafter. Over the years, I have come to believe that there are no Good Students. There are only Good Teachers who are capable of bringing out the best in their pupils.

The relation between a teacher and student descends beyond classrooms, subjects, activities, schools and all things temporary. We usually tend to remember teachers who have had a long lasting impact on us. This, not in terms of academic curriculum but more in light of evolution and development. Good teachers usually affect eternity. Their influence lasting as long as life. It is way above the awe struck infatuations that grip the students and involve trivia like dress, speech, walk and other sensory parameters.

 

There are teachers who command and then there are those who master. One particular incident I remember very well from my college life which distinguishes the two. There was an inter college debate competition and my college had not received any participation. I was walking down the corridor when this teacher crosses me.

" Why have you not given your name for the competition"?

" The subject does not interests me".

" I am sending your name, prepare well".

 

While I like to believe they needed me because I was probably one of the best, ,my ego was definitely bruised at being commanded. I said an outright No and moved out. Next day I was approached by another faculty who took me aside and said she was confident of me winning the title for our college and I should go ahead for the institute's sake. Whoa!! She won and next day I won too. Not for the college but for her. Moreover I received a beautiful souvenir from her which I still hold dear.  Now when I look back, my ego was definitely ill placed but there lies the art, knowing the students inside out and making the difference. I imbibed that as a fine theory of people management. No one wishes to be dominated over and every one needs incentive to go on.

 

I was fortunate enough to be educated in a public school during my early childhood. The best lessons in brotherhood and secularism were taught there. I had some of the best role models in community service and peaceful co existence. There were daily lessons from every religion. There was no punishment only positive reinforcement. Consequently every student was aware of self discipline not because it was a pre requisite in school but more because it was good to be in discipline.  The school had no ideology, every teacher was a champion in their own league and that as such made those years some of the best learnings of my life.

 

The curriculum today, as I see it, is so competitive that it almost over rules moral values. I fail to understand why is it becoming so difficult to teach lessons for life these days. When I see students befriending teachers on social platforms it amazes me. Despite of having some of my very good friends as former teachers it is sheer respect that draws me to them still. While it is good to have teachers as friends, the respect is fast diminishing.  The relation is becoming very shallow and superficial. The teachings very bookish and business like. Is it more because teaching is fast becoming one of the best business and probably the easiest alternative in killing time for some, unlike old times when people chose to be academicians. Or because parents have stopped empowering teachers to rear ladies and gentlemen. Or because schools have just become another example of socio economic divide engulfing the country.   Whatever it is, needs to change drastically. There can be no learning without action. It is merely churning out huge lots of educated uncivilized citizens who may earn well but will never be able to take the nation anywhere.