“LETTER TO MY CHILDREN “
My dear Children ,
I feel blessedly happy to have you in my life! I am bereft of words to express it. There are numerous remembrances which I would like to share but before I go further ,I want to express my gratitude to our former President, Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan,born on 5th Sept.1888,a versatile Educator , Humanist and writer ,for nominating his birthday in honor of Teachers of India .
As history quotes, his doting students wanted to name his birthday as “Radhakrishnan Day”. He requested it to be remembered as Teacher’s Day. He celebrated it for the first time on 5th Sept.1962 .
I also extend my heart felt gratitude to India’s 1st female teacher, Savitribai Phule(3rd Jan.1831-10 th March1897)whose indomitable efforts for educating women in India inspite of tremendous social opposition makes us stand at par with our counterpart today !
On the eve of Teacher ‘s Day, once again, treasure of those fond memories tickle me with incomprehensible overwhelming excitement . Truly speaking, its spirit enveloped me multiple times when I was a teacher in Mount Carmel School ,Bhagalpur.
We teachers eagerly looked forward to this day .We always wanted to know about the preparations ,that you were making for the celebration .Each passing night increased our anxiety. Imaginations made us day dream.
Perhaps both of us were stressed,one due to lack of preparation time and the other due to expectations !The tragedy of affairs was that there was no grant of excuse from teaching-learning duties. You were always eager for getting free time to rehearse your programme but nothing could be done without the permission of the head of our institution. We looked at each other with anguished console, yet peacefully maintained decorum of Carmel discipline. The SPL would then approach the Principal and your request would be rewarded .Special practice period would be designated by lessening time period of all classes by a few minutes to create a “PRACTICE PERIOD” at the end of the day!
Thereafter you would get overwhelmingly busied with practices whereas we teachers were expected to busy ourselves in assignment correction !😌
Corridors buzzed with movements of you students. Some discussing with hushed opinions, some carrying dresses and jewellery, some signaling instructions …all busy in items to be presented! To tell the truth, my eyes and ears also became sensitively alert to get ideas about your program.
It was for us,yet its multiplying suspense created an increasing eagerness, to know what made you all so active. Often a part of your dress or jewellery would fall on way to its destination and with an immediate reflex, my head would try to grasp every detail that was available.
Many a time,reaching home I would inquire about Teachers Day program to my daughter,who was then studying in Mount Carmel to quench my thirst but in reply, I got a smile or just a word “SURPRISE!”
Yes, it was a surprise, rather a bouquet of unbelievable presentations that made us teachers proud of not only your cultural talent but also of your managerial ability. It was clearly visible from the very invite till we left for our home that day. Every moment gave us a royal experience. The bouquet and card on the entranceway, a perfectly organized cultural programme of song ,dance and skit tied by an interesting compere to keep us entertained throughout and then your token of love-a gift…everything won our hearts. All this actually proved an all time assurance of your capability and capacity.
Thankyou!.. Thankyou!….
Thankyou children, for treating us teachers so lovingly !
We trust you will be the best wherever you are placed!
Good wishes and blessings to each one of you and your family!