Advertisement

For years, September 5th has been more than just a regular day for teachers, and students have ensured that the tradition to express gratitude for their conscientious efforts continues with love, complements and warm gestures.

However, over the years, the guru-shishya equation has evolved considerably, best observed by those who’ve been there long enough in the profession to notice.

Interestingly, while some teachers have taken the role change from exemplum of knowledge, iconic figures to friends and mentors rather positively, others say that they miss the times when this day was made special for them more out of reverence than an obligation.

“Teacher-student relations have altered considerably over the past few years. Teachers were looked at with reverence and students genuinely loved and respected us. I still remember my first batch and yes some of them have not only stayed in touch, but done deeds unimaginable,” says Shukla Monga of DPS Mathura Road.

Prem Khilnani, chemistry teacher at Mater Dei, who has put in almost 30 years of service, also misses his earlier teaching days. “Nowadays, it’s all about students and their celebrations. My passion for teaching is still alive but it is difficult to adjust to the new equations with the students coming from a whole different school.”

Khilnani says that he often remembers the days when students used to go out of their way to do special things. Sadly, he says, things have changed now. “Today, outside the classroom, students aren’t as reverent as they used to be,” he adds. In fact, ask about student-teacher rapport in earlier days and Usha Anand of Government Senior Secondary School, Andrews Ganj, gets really emotional. A recipient of the Saraswati Award, Anand has devoted almost her entire life to this profession.

At 70, she recalls how her students regularly met her and in case bumped into her, continues to recognise her. “Students then were far more disciplined,” she says. However, all is not so grim, assures Poonam Mathur, HOD-Economics, Modern School, Vasant Vihar, who has been teaching for the past 30 years.

She too has pleasant memories of students landing up at her house at 6 am with cake and flowers to wish on the Teacher’s Day. Painting a brighter picture she says, “Earlier, children dressed up simply and put up shows for teachers. Now there are fancier events.

However, the warmth and gesture remains the same.” Corroborating Mathur, Leena Dayal of Air Force Bal Bharti, says that the enthusiasm has certainly not dwindled over her three-decade teaching career. “Earlier, hand-made paper cards and pens were gifted to teachers on the special occasion,” she says, adding in the same breath, “It still remains so.” On a happier note, talking about the beauty of being a teacher, Christine Dawidawson, much in her 70s, says how at Mater Dei Convent School the whole day used to be so much of fun!

“Teacher’s day was an event put up to ensure that teachers-students alike enjoyed it thoroughly. I’ve taught some of the most wonderful batches and have witnessed disciplined students. I retired in 1990, but till date, students have been by my side through thick and thin.”

Truly, times may have changed, technology may have advanced but relationships remain the same, just the gestures may wary a little. Indeed, some things will remain the same and that is the special bond between the teachers and students.