Teachers

”Teachers” are the only ones I know who possesses the power to destroy my weekend storybook reading for a test on the monument, Taj Mahal. What am I mad at? Teachers for taking the test on a Monday morning or Shah Jahan for building this monument? Most of us will end up blaming our teachers because who would like to blame a Sultan who cut off people’s hands, after all?

Teachers or Gurus are said to play an important role in shaping our lives, giving wings to our creative talent and roots into our culture, heritage and tradition. They have been equated with Gods. I am reminded of the famous couplet from the mystic, Kabir - Guru Govind Dou khade…………

It's unfortunate that our generation seems to be doing teachers a favour. I know they are the ones, whom we gossip about. They are the ones in whose absence we fly paper planes or play a mock version of WWE or an Olympic relay race. They are the ones who spoil our only chance of binge-watching our favourite show on Netflix during the weekend but all this is in the interest of their students and their well-being. They rightfully are the GPS

- Guru Positioning System - direct us on the right path ( not available on any OS).

I know most students think we have a ”Saas-Bahu” type relationship with our teachers, where their sole purpose is to spoil our day. In reality, they are an important part of our life. They guide us. They help us and they also spoon-feed us when needed.

However, their value in society has only reduced. In the olden times, students’ eyes had to be fixed on the guru and in case they did not pay attention, they would be punished. Following their instructions was considered as Punya but now in the 21 century, we are exercising our freedom to eat, chat, dance, and sing, and if we are punished or our actions objected to, our reaction resembles an angry emoji.

Bringing a bottle of water for a teacher from the staff room is termed as child labour which apparently makes us burn more calories than we should

(Millennials am I, right? Lol, I am one!).

Since the online classes have started we have taken teachers for granted more than ever. Students might be thinking that I don't know how much it is affecting us but teachers got the shorter end of the stick. The only month of vacation teachers get was used up this year for upgrading their technical skills, scheduling the online classes and making PowerPoint presentations for their classes.

Most of us have the handwriting of a 5-year-old and photography skills of a toddler,that makes the teachers squint their eyes all day over the screen just to check our three mark answer.

The students take advantage of the teachers who are less experienced in operating gadgets, which is offensive and disrespectful. All the punctual electric boards that cut off the power exactly 10 min before a test, which the teachers have to deal with. The unexplainable excuse-makers and camera-shy people (like me) they have to talk and reason with. All the busy parents they have to make adjustments with. All the patience they have while explaining who is Antonio in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, a hundred times. All of this work is put up with, patiently by the teachers for the students. They deserve a salute and a round of applause from all the parents

and students around the world.

This is an article dedicated to all the loving passionate dedicated teachers all around the world. I salute you. All of us do. We would be nothing without you.

Author- Niyathi Nikkam