Teacher's Day celebrated on October 5:

Teaching, a dedicated vocation

by Siripathy Jayamaha

A teacher or guru is a person who imparts knowledge. All beings, who listens to a teacher and learns is a pupil. There are many professions for man to choose. Of all these choices teaching is the most respected, admired, revered and remembered profession in the world. Bernard Shaw says human beings and animals are born in a cauldron of love. Nature, along with love becomes their first teacher in locating their source of maternal sustenance. From there we begin to learn.

Prophet Mohammed said, “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.” They are beautiful words for all time. The knowledge that a person gains upto his grave is gained from a teacher. Of all the teachers, our beloved divine masters reign supreme. They walked on mother earth, striving to show mankind the way to a righteous life on earth and thereafter, through example, parables, discourses and preaching.

A child begins to learn by watching. Mother is their first teacher. Father is their peer and teacher. They teach only one compulsory subject – Love. Then the first milestone in life's tumultuous journey, the preschool. Here, the teacher becomes a second mother. Next the Sunday school, teachers. They teach with love and smiles about our enlightened teachers.

Excellence

Teachers are always there to guide and pilot their proteges to destinations of the latter's choice. We listen to our teachers, be they our teachers, lecturers, professors and spiritual gurus in their hallowed, lecture halls, auditoriums and in places of religious worship, gazing at their faces in awe and reverence. It is also the teacher who takes us into the world of culinary delicacies, choral, choreographical excellence and in how to make the body beautiful.

A teacher is always with us, where learning becomes a must. From the simple garbage collector or coconut plucker to the atomic scientist and Heads of state to learn from advisors or teachers is a must.

We remember our teachers wherever we are and in whatever we do. People offer their seats and bow their heads when they see their teachers.

Heart surgery

A retired teacher was in hospital. He had come with his 17-year-old grandson. A specialist cardiologist had examined him. He had been directed to the lab for clinical tests done. The doctor had told him that a 'by-pass’ was essential. The patient was rather puzzled to see the doctor on his feet while examining him and talking with him. Since there, was a long waiting list. Surgery should be done at a private hospital, within the next few days said the doctor. Cost? 'A couple of lakhs,’ the doctor had said.

“Doctor,” the patient said. “My children will find the money. But I have lived my life. I am happy. They can use that money in making my grandchildren to do well in life. I am ready to die. The nurse and many others had seen this wonderful healing angel, break into tears. He had taken the patients hands into his, brought them to his cheeks and said, “Sir, I am what I am today because of you.

You showed our class by example and by your absolute teaching professionalism the meaning of life. I am saving lives because of you. I will make all the arrangements with the private hospital. Get yourself admitted very soon. Please tell your family that a grateful pupil has been blessed to touch the heart of a teacher who showed his pupils, the true meaning of a teacher.

“Son, go with your grandfather. Look after him. Be like him. Be a doctor. Never ever forget your teachers.” Tears had flowed freely that day in that room of healing. All because of a teacher. Only teachers are privileged to the cause of such heart warming gestures from mortals.

At the farewell of a very lovable, dedicated teacher cum counsellor par excellence, the principal narrated these gems. There had been 100 per-cent passes in Zoology at the University Entrance class in all her 42 years as a teacher. She had been with some senior girls and young teachers.

“Miss, why is our feminine problem called 'menopause’ instead of 'women-o-pause?’ Without batting on eyelid she had said, “Well, maybe it is a warning to men by telling them.

“Men oh pause for some time for reasons obvious”. She was their darling teacher.

Again, her meaning of 'Poruwa.’ “Well, 'po’ in Tamil means “go,” 'Ruwa’ in Sinhala means 'looks or features.’ So it simply means 'po’ to your ruwa once you step down from the 'poruwa.’ But remember children, your 'ruwa’ can be everlasting if you keep the home fires burning and by prayer.

Only you and your partner can make the 'Poruwa’ or the Altar to shine. A teacher in the same school for 42 years. More than 1,300 past pupils, 660 teachers had walked by her bier and thousands had walked with her to her final place of rest.

Teachers 'Guruthumi’ we salute you and pray that all our celestial teachers will be with you, guiding you to teach your pupils the meaning of empathy and knowledge, such that tears will flow whenever they speak of you, meet you and when you are surrounded by them while you are serenely in eternal slumber, with a smile on your face.