PANJIM: It’s tough being a teacher in these challenging times of knowledge proliferation through internet and social media and potent challenges to all forms of authority, including teachers.
September 5, the birthday of the second President of India Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, politicians, philosopher and statesman is celebrated as Teachers’ Day. On this day, students and adults alike reminiscence about their teachers with nostalgia about the good old days. Teachers’ day celebrates the precious bond of love, affection and dedication of the teachers, which they shower on their students in those impressionable formative years. Sometimes this sacred bond of guru-shishya may be tarnished by some unpleasant and unfortunate incidents. However, due to these incidents, we cannot villainize all teachers.
On Teachers day seven dedicated teachers from the many assiduous teachers across Goa were felicitated by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant by conferring them with the Distinguished Teacher State Award. Out of these Mahesh Kasalkar, Jyoti Sinari, Sudhir Naik and Pratima Gaonkar shared their feelings and perspectives with O Heraldo on winning the State awards for their unstinted and dedicated service and how teachers should deal with errant students, especially in these challenging times.
Teacher Mahesh Kasalkar was overjoyed to receive the State Award for being a distinguished teacher. This is not only my award, but I share it also with the fellow teachers of my school at Mopa, and the students
Jyoti Sinari, another recipient of the Distinguished Teacher State Award said that she is extremely happy. This award belongs to the entire village school where I teach in Surla. I am grateful to my teachers and mentors. I feel proud to be a teacher, she said.
Teacher Sudhir Naik too was delighted to receive the State Award. He said it is because of his students that he has won the award. I have tried to educate them on the basis of what they like. I have done various projects over the last 27 years and taken my students on study tours at the village, state and even national level for hands on learning.
Pratima Gaonkar said she is extremely happy to receive this recognition. The real recipients are my students, my teachers and my family.
We hope that many good teachers come into this profession and work for the upliftment and welfare of the future generation.