Teachers, you are precious to us!

Covid-19 or otherwise, whether schools remain closed yet for another year or remain open, all of us, especially the young students who have experienced the loving care and affection of their teachers for years together will always specially think of them on Teachers’ Day, celebrated annually on September 5, set aside to express our gratitude for making them what we are today to a very great extent.

- ALFONSO ELENGIKAL

Covid-19 or otherwise, whether schools remain closed yet for another year or remain open, all of us, especially the young students who have experienced the loving care and affection of their teachers for years together will always specially think of them on Teachers’ Day, celebrated annually on September 5, set aside to express our gratitude for making them what we are today to a very great extent. The day provides all of us, whether we are students or parents or have even become teachers today, a unique opportunity to appreciate them and tell them that they are precious to us, and that we shall never forget them in our lives.

Our country has always held teachers in very high esteem; the Mahabharata has many classic examples of this. Acharya (the royal teacher) was always considered an integral part of the royal household. His advice was always sought before the king took any important decision, and his word often prevailed over others. No one ordinarily questioned his moral authority.

Rabindranath Tagore was affectionately called Gurudev by his disciples, and sure Tagore liked it. Even today, in many circles he is referred to as Gurudev, and not so much as a writer, which he was by any standard.

Dr Radhakrishnan, one of the most erudite Presidents our country has had, preferred to be known as a teacher than as the President of the country, and the country today pays him the greatest tribute by celebrating his birthday as Teachers’ Day!