Seek blessings from your teachers

he's going to spend his whole life thinking he's useless". Discovering a child's innate aptitude, focusing all her/his energy into developing it and helping her/him to blossom into a gem of a human being are some of the tasks joyfully performed by a devoted teacher.

Far removed from the din created by defenders of the MoI, a dedicated few undertake the often thankless job of educating the unruly and effervescent youngsters of today. On the 5th of September, we salute the mentors and caretakers of the most valuable of resources; the unstoppable youth force that will bring about the magnificent future predestined for this country. Tempering the countless diamonds-in-the-rough we have in Goa calls for a concerted, sustained effort by upright and inspired individuals/agencies.

The education system at the moment sadly resembles a rusty old sieve that allows precious gold ore to slip through gaping cracks; it is only due to the diligence of educators that a relatively tiny percentage of the youth are equipped with professional know-how, indispensable coping skills and a work ethic that sets them head and shoulders above the rest of the competition.

Great teachers make time in class to share wisdom that only age and experience reveals, teaching impressionable young minds to discern truth from false knowledge, thus arming each student with an arsenal of good qualities that sustain them in tough times and bear rich dividends in prosperity. Teachers actively counsel, correct and strengthen their charges throughout their academic lives and sometimes beyond, being with them in spirit if not in person, imparting by example winning traits that can never be forgotten. In trying times like the present where the pillars of government and society are selfishly amassing huge quantities of blood money, it is teachers that inspire youngsters to diligently pursue honesty and excellence, paving the way for development that is long overdue.

I implore teachers and the education department to stay ahead of the curve, peacefully demanding the best for our students, be it curriculum wise, infrastructure, teaching aids or sporting goods; to encourage proactive participation and sedate, insightful debate, to enlighten students by streaming TED talks and weekly video presentations on vital yet taboo subjects like substance abuse, anger management and even dealing with stress and depression.

I'd like to remind the students that education in its heyday was a sacred institution, and the privileged few that were accepted revered their teachers and ashrams, knowing full well that they were undergoing a metamorphosis from ordinary carbon to diamonds. 

This Teachers Day, I request all those fortunate enough to still be in school to ask their teachers for their blessing and to vow to treat their institutions with the reverence and conduct expected at a place of worship.