Teachers' day in India is celebrated on September 5, while World Teachers' Day is celebrated on October 5. Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was the vice president and second president of India, as well as an educationist, academician, and a great teacher, was asked permission by friends and students to celebrate his 74th birthday.
He replied: "Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if September 5 is celebrated as Teachers’ Day." Since 1962, when Dr Sarvepalli took oath as the President of India, Teachers' Day was celebrated on his birthday. It is prudent to honour the teachers because teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions.In the last two years, Covid-19 pandemic resulted in the shutdown of all educational institutions and badly affected the education sector. Despite these challenges, however, teachers took online classes and went beyond their call of duty. Some teachers were drafted into Covid duty in containment zones across India and began undertaking a host of services. Teachers were also drafted in election duties from time to time.
Students honour and respect their teachers by sending them good wishes, quotes, messages, etc. Students dress up as their instructors on Teachers' Day and attend lessons that are scheduled for the teachers they portray. Sometimes teachers act like students in their classes to recreate the experience they had as students. Students perform plays and songs to commemorate Teachers' Day while honouring the work of their teachers and their special memories with them. Additionally, students express their love for their favourite instructors by giving them cards, speeches, etc. Teachers also talk to the pupils about their life experiences.
According to a proverb, a nation's youngsters hold the key to its future, and teachers, in their capacity as mentors, can shape their pupils into future leaders who will determine India's course. According to Dr Abdul Kalam, teachers are the backbone of any nation, the pillar on which all ambitions are turned into realities. Teachers are crucial in our life because they aid in our professional and financial success. They assist us in developing into better people, better members of society, and better representatives of our nation. This day is therefore set aside to recognise the difficulties, specific duties, and challenges that teachers have in our lives.
Teachers’ Day is celebrated to acknowledge the challenges, hardships and special role that teachers play in our lives. The day is one such event to which students and teachers equally look forward. The day is essential for the students as it gives them a chance to understand the efforts put in by their teachers to ensure that they get a proper education. Similarly, teachers also look forward to this day as their efforts are honoured by students and other social organisations.
The nation always honours all those teachers who worked, especially in eradicating ignorance of darkness. On this occasion, President Droupadi Murmu will present National Awards to teachers to 46 chosen honorees at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. It is a proud moment for the headmistress of Government High School (GHS), Morpila, Maria Murena Miranda to receive the award for the innovative ideas in teaching such as remote learning, art-integrated learning, and peer-to-peer learning at GHS that caters only to tribal students. The awards are conferred as public gratitude to praiseworthy teachers working in primary, middle, and secondary schools.
"Teaching is not a profession, a way of life (Jeevan dharm)," remarked PM Modi while interacting with national awardee teachers in 2014. "If a society is to progress, teachers must always be two steps ahead of time. They need to understand changes happening worldwide and prepare the new generation accordingly by arousing curiosity in them." Teachers have a divine responsibility to guide and enlighten the students. India should regain the status of 'Vishwaguru' (leader in education) by giving high respect to teachers whom he asked to encourage students to think critically about issues concerning the nation.
Apart from the education field, there are numerous examples in sports too, where teachers played a vital role in shaping the career of athletes. A notable example is batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, who credits his coach and teacher, Ramakant Achrekar, for his success. There are numerous examples in various fields of dance, music, acting, arts, and science where teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the life of their disciples.
A teacher is not only a teacher but a beautiful amalgamation of a mentor, a philosopher, a torch-bearer, a friend, and above all, a surrogated parent to the children. The teacher establishes the groundwork and the pillars of society; teachers' tenacity and honesty will determine the course of the country. A good teacher is like a candle; it burns itself out to illuminate others' paths. In the words of Alexandra K Trenfor, the best teachers point out where to look but don't tell you what to see.
