Indian Teacher's Day, September 5

Anyone who has studied in India knows the importance of September 5, Teacher's Day. In India, this day is celebrated to commemorate the birthday of S. Radhakrishnan, who was a renowned philosopher and academician and went on to become the first Vice President of India. Read more detailed history here. From 1962 onwards, we celebrate his birthday on September 5 as Teacher's day and honour our teachers with respect and affection for the role they play in our lives.

There are many countries that have started celebrating Teacher's day, on different dates, to mark an important milestone in education or to celebrate the achievements of local educators. One can find aggregated info for different countries here. The country I currently live in - Belgium- does not have a day ear-marked for Teachers Day, but I will definitely pass on the significance of this day to my daughters, young as they are to understand.

This realization comes in the wake of  a couple of incidents. When we put my elder daughter in school here, she did not know a word of Dutch. It was her kindergarten teacher who painstakingly repeated everything for her from Dutch, again in English so she could pick up the language fast. I am always grateful to her for the patience she showed. One may well argue that children pick up languages fast, but I am especially touched by her approach and sensitivity. Then in the course of my stay here, I have met and interacted with numerous language teachers who have taught a new language for adults  and done so with grace, sophistication and good humour. So what, even if they were doing their job, I can vouch they did it so well :)

Our interaction with  teachers is limited mostly to the school or institution but many a times their influence on our thoughts and lives is far far more. Growing up throughout my school and college days, there have been so many outstanding teachers who have motivated me, believed in me and helped me believe in myself when I was down and out. I think they are like angels who come into our lives to guide us and show us the way, when we are faltering, or just plain confused.

Now if I say that role of teachers comes to an end when we leave formal education system and become young adults, that would be very irreverent, surely. Bosses, colleagues, friends, spouses step in and fill the role at varied times. One can even learn from children or even babies (lessons in unconditional love and hugs and kisses) - if we keep our hearts and minds open :) The fact that out learning is not limited to early years only a is put very succinctly by a former teacher here at the IMC site.

In our full lives and frantic days, earmarking a single day for remembering our teachers, who've made a big contribution to our lives is a must. I salute all my teachers (in formal and informal learning environments) for helping me be a better person. And I want to work to be a teacher/influencer  to someone, somewhere in a small way too.

First posted here at IndianMomsConnect