In honour of the torchbearers

'Your aim in life' – had been a common topic for essays during school; and how crazy and ambitious were our dreams! With the guidance of our teachers we'd scribble on about how we wanted to be astronauts, scientists, film-stars, engineers, doctors, lawyers... but how many of us did ever want to be a teacher and pass on the bright torch of knowledge? We are made to dream in a certain way – the way sculpted out by our reputed society – which holds high regards to certain professions while looking down upon others. Ironically, the same is taught by our teachers in most cases unknowingly or unwillingly.

Have you ever heard a teacher talk about how noble the profession is? But you would definitely hear doctors, engineers, scientists and the like, preach about the importance of their respective jobs. And how did they become what they are; was it just by hard work and determination? The answer is quite well known to us.

Chemistry could have never won my love and dedication unless for Mrs Krishna Chakraborty, who ordered me to go home for breakfast post my two-hour session, and come back after 30 minutes to resume class on a Saturday morning! She made sure I understood the concept of periodic tables that day starting from 7 in the morning, and that lesson I did not forget till I finished school and several years after.

Great teachers like her go out of their way to ensure that their students have actually learned the lesson. It can be stated undeniably that we've all, at least for once in our lives, been blessed with some such wonderful teachers. They are the living embodiment of the phrase friend, philosopher, and guide.

"I learned that a teacher can be your friend from Mrs Satyaboti Nadkar, my Geography teacher. She was very witty; I used to attend her tuition classes along with an all-girls group, and when some other boys would attend the class and check out the girls, she would set me as an example and tell them to be descent like me!" exclaimed an elated Chandramoy Ghosh, advertising professional.

"She had a son who was a few years younger than me, but she'd scold us the same way. She was very happy with my results, once they were declared, and so was I when I came to know that she topped the SSC exams and joined a different school as the principal. We are still in touch. She had asked me to introduce my girlfriend to her. I'll do so, once I have a girlfriend!" added a blushing Chandramoy.

"Gautam Das, my English teacher, was more like a guardian to me. He helped me get over through the toughest times of my life, especially after my mom's death. He is smart and caring, although sometimes he was pretty strict. He is probably the only teacher who has ever slapped me!" reminisces Arpan Paul.

It does not matter what subject they teach, or how old they are, the position of a teacher or a guru, one who imparts knowledge, is above all. Every other profession is like a branch of a strong tree, while teaching is the trunk, the foundation of the entire tree, holding everything in place.

Upon asking around, people had various reasons to love and respect their favourite teachers. While some admired their teachers, some build such strong relations with them that even decades after school they are still etched in the memory fresh.

"My favourite teacher? Srabasti Ghosh, our Business communications professor, helped me overcome my fears of public speaking. Once, during a seminar, when I had to speak in front of a lot of our industry important heads, she knew I was very nervous. So she kept eye contact throughout the time and kept giving me encouraging nods, and after a minute or so I gained some confidence. Finally, our team stood second," said Sampurna Das, Support Associate at MyTasker.

Anya Gupta, a PR professional says, "I find my Economics teacher during high school, Mr Sachin the most adorable because he was the most patient teacher I ever had. The way he used to communicate was amazing as he never gave punishments and yet had a push factor to keep everybody on track."

With different methods of teaching, our teachers have over the years created gems in different fields of life. Brimming over with pride and joy I wish all the teachers in the world a very happy teacher's day! If not for them, we would not be who we are now.