Celebrating our Teachers

Teachers’ Day: Celebrating the heart and soul of education

Throughout life, we are blessed by many teachers who cultivate a love for learning and guide us along our paths. We are who we are, in part, because of the teachers who contribute to our intellectual, cultural, and social development. Teachers at every level, from pre-K to graduate school, deserve our gratitude daily. A good education helps us realize our potential, enabling us to lead lives guided by high ideals.

In Bharat, September 5 is celebrated as National Teachers’ Day, in honor of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the second President of India. An esteemed scholar and educator, Dr. Radhakrishnan humbly asked visiting students in 1962 that this day be dedicated to honoring teachers and recognizing their vital role in shaping lives. Ever since September 5 has been observed as National Teachers’ Day, a time to express our gratitude and respect for the noble profession of teaching. Teachers, like lamps, illuminate the paths for us to shine.

As a co-founder of Vidya Gyan, a nonprofit organization, I believe that true teachers deserve to be celebrated every day. A great teacher dedicates their life to fostering learning in students, regardless of caste, creed, gender, or status. A teacher is not merely someone who imparts knowledge but someone who instills in their students a habit of continuous learning, growth, and forward movement. I envision a TEACHER as someone who embodies the following attributes:

• T: Thought provoker and thoroughly knowledgeable
• E: Ethical and eloquent
• A: Affectionate and an awesome mentor/guide
• C: Cultivator of moral values and creativity
• H: Hardworking and skilled in hands-on learning
• E: Effective and enthusiastic
• R: Respected and relentless

Vidya Gyan is proud of teachers everywhere, but we hold a special affection for the teachers in district Saharanpur, U.P., where we currently operate. While President Droupadi Murmu will honor 82 exceptional teachers with the National Teachers’ Award 2024 in New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel is also expected to recognize a group of ‘Utkrashta’ (Precious) teachers in Saharanpur.

We are especially pleased that many Utkrashta teachers are part of Vidya Gyan’s network. We are honored to be associated with such an outstanding group of educators, from those who have received state-level education awards to those recognized for their innovative use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).

At Vidya Gyan, we also believe that a teacher’s influence is incomplete without their students, whom they guide, teach, mentor, and transform into lifelong learners and responsible citizens. In the United States, the last week of August or the first week of September marks the return to school after summer break, celebrated as Back to School.

Vidya Gyan has commemorated this event in our partner schools in rural Bharat by distributing approximately 10,000 notebooks and writing tools annually since 2016. This initiative, known as Pencil to Power, focuses on empowering students by encouraging writing by hand, which is essential to learning, much like food is to nourishment. Writing and reading together foster deeper understanding, as education is not simply about memorizing facts. The following photos capture Vidya Gyan’s annual celebration of teachers and their students during this time of year.

A month later, on October 5, the world observes UNESCO’s World Teachers’ Day. It commemorates the signing of a significant declaration concerning the status of teachers, made at an intergovernmental conference in Paris on October 5, 1966.

In conclusion, teachers everywhere deserve to be celebrated every day, with special recognition on September 5 in Bharat and October 5 globally. While everyone leads busy lives, Teachers’ Day serves as a reminder for all to honor their own teachers, visit schools to recognize the teachers of their children and grandchildren, or, at the very least, contribute to organizations that support education, made possible by the tireless work of teachers.

A true teacher always gives their best, ensuring the highest quality of education. Those who fail to provide quality Vidya (education) and deeper Gyan (knowledge) for real learning are not deserving of the title, as the noble profession of teaching demands nothing less.

Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

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