5th September is Teachers’ Day in India. All of us joyfully and gratefully remember our own teachers and other teachers all over our country. From an early age, we are drawn to or influenced by various teachers at home or at school. There are many kinds of teachers – some are truly dedicated to their students, while others just wait for the salary, some for the tuition at home, and others for the students in and outside the campus. Amid these differences, there are teachers who inspire us to discover our true selves. This day transforms into more than just Teachers’ Day; it becomes a Teach Us Day, reminding us of those who guide us towards self-discovery.
Learning is crucial for intelligence and intellect to flourish. It is a symbiotic process – one entity learns while another imparts knowledge. Our entire upbringing is based on the mutual relationship between learning and teaching, a fundamental part of our daily lives. In Sanskrit, the term for teacher is guru, where “gu” signifies “one who dispels” and “ru” means darkness. A teacher, therefore, guides us out of ignorance into light. To evolve beyond our inherent limitations, a teacher is essential. As September arrives, students gear up to honor and express gratitude to their teachers, marking the cherished occasion of Teachers’ Day.
Richard Mascarenhas SJ
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