SHIKSHAK DIVAS

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.