On the 5th September, schools throughout the country including Nagaland enthusiastically and with immense joy celebrates “Teachers’ Day” to commemorate the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan – a leading light, forceful orator, an author and a varacious writer, a patriot and philanthropist, well-known as diplomat, a philosopher – educationist and an international scholar, and above all, a great and renowned teacher associate with various universities within the country and abroad. Nehru regarded Radhakirshnan as the greatest authority on education in India. More than the ornamental figurehead, he had a worldwide reputation and admired by a large number of eminent people all over the world – including the President Kennedy who introduced him even to his children for his unmatched erudition on various subjects. A unique philosopher - teacher who acquitted himself as a bridge between oriental and the occidental schools of thought.
The 5th September is the only day perhaps for the students to congratulate the teachers and express their sincere gratitude and appreciation for their tireless efforts, to enlighten them and to help them realize their potentials not only intellectually but also other essential domains. They also leave no stone unturned to greet the teachers by their astounding, encouraging, exhilarating and rejuvenating words like ‘teachers handle the most responsible tasks in society’ ‘teachers are the majestic pillars of tomorrow’, ‘no teachers, no progress’ etc. It is also a window of opportunity for the parents to show their veneration to teachers, ‘a teacher is a surrogate parent to many who are unable to place their trust in their parent or others’. Even the government recognises the labour of teachers for rendering their benevolent and untiring social services. Naturally, the teachers feel happy and elated at least for the day as if they are the descendant of Dr. Radhakrishnan.
Unfortunately, the teaching profession is fast losing its lure. In recent times it is visually observed that only the thrown outs of other lucrative jobs are over-crowding the noblest of professions, that is, the teaching profession as they have to survive. In leading newspapers it appears daily the following advertisement:-
“Wanted for an accomplished graduate girl, a doctor, an engineer, and a class officer or an affluent businessman. A college teacher will do if he is well-placed and financially sound.”
It clearly reveals the social depreciation suffered by the teachers. Besides the low salary, there has taken place a gradual erosion of the prestige and social standing which used to be associated with this very noble as well as old profession. Moreover, in these days of Mammon worship and honouring a man according to his bank balance, teaching profession has lost his formal glory.
Shibdas Ghose
PWD Housing Complex
Dimapur
