I remember once, being extremely stressed and confused on the day before my exam, when I messaged my teacher. I was in a very pitiable state, with tears rolling down my eyes, unable to comprehend what my teacher was trying to bring home. With great pains, she repeatedly explained the topic multiple times. I didn’t have to say how distressed I was, for she knew, all along ,and kept reassuring, and comforting me while she continued to explain. After numerous attempts, I was able at last to get a clear understanding of the topic. I was so overwhelmed with joy and was filled with gratitude towards my teacher for explaining with patience, when she replied in a very calm and composed tone, ’Serafin, once your teacher, I will always be your teacher.’

Her kind words and considerate nature moved me, to the extent that the words stayed etched in my heart, even after years.

There are many teachers in my life, who have helped me, and encouraged me. I have a vivid memory, of the teacher who drew out the talent in me, encouraged me, and gave me the spirit to try and bring it to perfection, another teacher who’s elegant and trim dressing, and her love for organizing things in the classroom drew my attention, I remember how she used make us sit upright, in a proper posture before starting with anything, and how she made sure that in the end everyone got the concept right.

When, I sat rewinding all those memories, something else sprung to my mind. The footage of a teacher, a sir, his eyes filled with tears of sorrow, his voice feeble as he witnessed the students he taught, their homes, their loved ones, devastated in the Wayanad landslide. He spoke to the media, in melancholy, how he used to begin his class at 7, in the morning, outside in the school veranda, how the children used to sit all in lines, under the tree, with its branches spread out, listening to him teach, and, he spoke about how he always used to tell the children, that they were the luckiest children, in the world , for they could study under the bright blue sky, surrounded by rugged mountains, dense forests and sparkling streams. At the end of the video, I was filled with tears, how heartbroken the teacher sounds, how passionate he is, how much he cared for his fellow students….

I remember studying of Santiniketan, another remarkable establishment by Rabindranath Tagore, A unique blend of education, art, and culture, nestled in the serene landscapes of West Bengal. The answer I shad studied last year, flashed across my mind, Santiniketan, “located 100 kms away from Calcutta, and about Rabindranath Tagore who saw it as an abode of peace (santiniketan), where living in harmony with nature, children could cultivate their natural creativity.”

The words said by Rabindranath Tagore, drifted across my mind,

“The teacher is Guru. He is to guide and stimulate the students. He remarked, a teacher can never truly teach unless he is still learning himself. A lamb can never light another lamb unless it continues to burn in its own flame.”

Another system I remember, is the Gurukulam, where the student stays in the guru’s home, in a natural setup, along with other students, fostering humanity, love and brotherhood till the education is complete. Its mandatory to do their own dishes and clothes, and help the guru with the housework. The bond between the guru and the teacher is so strong, that these systems don’t require a regular fee. After the education is complete, a dakshina is offered to the guru, that could be money according to ones economic status, or a special task entrusted to his student,

Teachers have played a very big role in my life, and will continue to do so. Thank you to all my beautiful, patient, and compassionate teachers!

Dear God, impart to all teachers, your wisdom and the courage to push through all challenges and worries.

“A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.”