Teachers' Day

4th Sep '10

I still remember as children we would be very excited for Teachers' Day. The charm of enjoying with our teachers could not be compared to anything in school. The preparations would go on for weeks before the day and every student and teacher would be equally excited about the event.

The best I could remember was the one in which the teachers used to perform for the students. Looking at our teachers, the ones who used to scold in classes, singing and enjoying would always bring a big smile on our faces. Even the strictest of teachers would be laughing and chatting with the students.

Teachers have a wonderful memory as far as I can tell. You meet a teacher after five or ten years and tell your name they will surely tell you one or two incidents of you in the class. I am always amazed how my class fifth or sixth standard teacher still recognizes me after teaching so many students before and after she taught me. It brings happiness to me when I meet a teacher that I liked.

Then comes the thought of those teachers that we didn't like. Maybe because they were too strict or their way was teaching would go over our heads or we were never able to score marks in their subjects. But I guess like every student every teacher is different. They have their own ways to teach as well as enjoy.

There's a quotation I once read "The grace of the guru is like an ocean. If one comes with a cup he will only get a cupful." I find this to be so true. Every teacher is a teacher because they know something that we don't. They impart their knowledge to us and it depends on us how much are we willing to learn.

In school the relationship between the teachers and the students is different in terms of discipline and respect. Students in schools are very young and teachers treat them as young minds that have to be shaped. In college the relationship changes to another dimension. Just like with our parents, as we grow up we start joking with them and enjoying. Similarly with teachers the bond is more like friends because the age difference reduces considerably.

The way we interact with our teachers has changed so much from my school days to today. Our teachers treat us as young adults who have opinions and want to convey them. They are, like our parents, elders who can advice us on any topic. In fact being friends with teachers is easier. They are more like friends. They do not find faults in us but advice us to take the right path.

I remember all my teachers on this Teachers' Day and hope that they are all doing good in their lives. Our teachers indeed teach us so much and we have so many reasons to thank them. So bringing back the charm of Teachers' Day in my life I say a silent thanks to all my teachers.