Teachers and Candles

Today is Teacher's Day in India and after being an adult for so long it takes a day like this to travel back in time to my days as a student. Then those faces, gait, voices, hands, writing on the blackboard, words and actions spring to life, with clarity like it was just yesterday.

Sister Annette (St Presentation Convent, Jodhpur)- " Walk straight, straighten your back."

Miss Frank (St. Mary's Convent, Allahabad)- Gave me my first responsibility in class 1 to deliver the attendance register to the principal's office every morning.

Mrs Aiyer (St. Mary's Convent, Allahabad)- Taught me group singing, dancing, practicing million times till I got it right, dress up for the annual function and not be afraid of performance.

Miss Aruna Jamwal (Nagbani Public School, Jammu & Kashmir)- Took out the best in me with love, care, and gentleness.

Sir Sabu (St Paul's High School, Dimapur)- Introduced the power of humor and creating a positive environment for best kind of learning.

Mother Superior (St Paul's High School, Dimapur)- Taught me a hard lesson on the importance of preparation and she didn't shield me, she let me be in trouble.

Mrs Sumati Chanam (Army School, Guwahati), my Geography teacher, and my mother- Taught me how to use maps before venturing out.

Gupta sir (Kendriya Vidyalaya, Guwahati), my Sanskrit teacher- Taught me we have no right to talk when someone is speaking/teaching especially if our knowledge is poor.

Ingocha sir (DM College of Science, Imphal)- Ability to take a joke on oneself and navigating resistance.

Madam Sarojini (DM College of Science, Imphal)- Utilizing different teaching methods for different types of students including newly married women and expecting mothers, and going beyond the classroom.

Jensine Larsen (World Pulse)- Taught me to not be afraid to have an opinion and express myself.

Now tell me where are books, curriculum, exams, and marks amidst all this that I received from my teachers? Long after the education what remains is an imprint of values, principles, and life skills and they remain locked deep within us refusing to dull with passing time.

Teachers, never ever compare your profession with others and remember, just like me, someone in some part of the world remembers you for what they could become because of you. We didn't say it to you at that time because it takes life to happen to value people.

Wishing you a happy Teachers Day!

Teachers are like candles who burn themselves to give light to others.