In the words of Bill Gates “Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is the most important.”
In India, Teachers'
Day is celebrated on the birthday of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the first
vice-president of India and the second president of the nation. Dr
Radhakrishnan was an esteemed educationist. Once, his students asked him, out
of reverence, if he would allow them to celebrate his birthday. Dr
Radhakrishnan denied any special treatment but suggested to the students that
they could celebrate the day as Teachers' Day to recognise their contribution
to society. That's how folks it all started. It’s a day where teacher are for
once as delighted as the children to not teach or fret over completion of
syllabus and simply relax and chill with students.
It does not
end there, they are remembered and acknowledged by all from ministers to
grandparents and it is the one day when they are rewarded back with all love
and affection for the energy they put in all year, where they go above and
beyond for their pupils.
What we are
and what we become, is because of the efforts we exert to receive the optimum
output, but to achieve this we need a guide, who inspires and motivate, extends
a helping hand, a mentor or in simple terms a teacher.
So, prior to
the lockdown each year students and management would have a grand celebration
with elaborate events and performances for their gurus in all educational institutes
across India to put forth their gratitude from the year round hard work and
homework they provide.
But with the
pandemic and online classes this showmanship has taken a technological feast,
with students pouring their heart out onto social media platforms like Facebook,
Twitter etc. With memes, jokes and some heart-warming quotes, the online world
in India on 5 September is abuzz.
No matter
how strict or lenient your mentor is, you might be having a feud with them for
picking on you. But on Teachers' Day you set aside your difference and try cosy up or
butter them, to thank them for the toil they put in throughout the academic
year. Although, the very next day they revert back to their original stance.
They say we never stop learning but in reality, we never stop teaching as well. As learning and teaching go hand in hand, you may never know who you inspire, so to every mentor out their Happy Shikshak Divas, keep calm and influence and encourage and thank you.
