Share to Spread Love
Bharat celebrates ‘Shikshak Diwas’ or ‘Teachers’ Day’, every September 5th. This day honors the birthday of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the country’s first Vice President and second President. He was a scholar, philosopher, and recipient of the Bharat Ratna award. When his students suggested that his birthday be celebrated as a significant day, he humbly suggested that it be observed as Teachers’ Day to recognize the valuable contribution of teachers in society. Bharat is the only land where people are revered to such an extent that generations remember them for their excellent work & ideas & this is the historical significance of this day. However, every day is a Teachers’ Day. Each day presents the chance to both gain and impart knowledge as each individual takes on the dual roles of student and teacher in someone else’s journey.
Let me ask you a question. What comes to your mind when I say ‘shikshak’ or ‘teacher’? I guarantee you instantly think about your school & studies. Isn’t that so? The culture is such that we associate such words only with our academics, sports, arts, etc. We believe learning only happens in schools, colleges, universities & institutions. The definition of student life is limited to this hypothesis. However, there are more strata to this idea. Every situation we deal with, every person we encounter & every emotion we experience teaches us something or the other. Good teaches us how to be & bad preaches how not to be.
“Planet Earth is a school. Instead, it is a top-rated institution among souls. Souls of different categories & levels incarnate here because it offers a significant amount of courses. An interesting fact about evolution is that souls learn through deprivation; a loveless life makes us understand the value of love, & an unhealthy body augments the importance of health & so forth. A soul can pick as many lessons as it wishes to learn in a lifetime. Somehow, in the end, its development depends entirely on its choices towards all the assignments it has chosen for itself. When you comprehend that you handpicked your foes & miseries, your heart becomes clear. The people who are against you are doing so because you asked them. Your haters are your teachers.” {An excerpt from Soham by Poonam Sehgal}
Do we really have to go through constant suffering? Fortunately, the pain will stop once we understand the lesson and respond correctly. However, if we keep giving wrong replies till the end, the curriculum continues in the next incarnation. There are no shortcuts or ways to drop out, so paying attention and making course corrections is essential. May we all understand our assignments & pass with flying colours.
Happy Teachers’ Day to all because we all are teachers as well as students! ~ Poonam
