“ Sir , happy teacher’s day!” I smiled while getting the greeting card from one of my students . my hands were unable to manage the bouquets , greeting cards and also the chocolates. Suddenly a chocolate slipped from my hand and Sakshi , my student picked and placed it on the table .
“thank you ,” I said while placing my stuff on the table . Today was one of the best days of the year not because I get chocolates or all that stuff but because my profession as a teacher was celebrated . Because my chest inflates with pride of being in a profession that is not a child’s play.
The bell rang for the mid –break and the class got up and wished me “ Happy teacher’s day , sir!”
I flashed back a smile and arranged the stuff and went outside the classroom. Every student passing by greeted me and I thanked them.
I went in the staff room where my colleagues were preparing for something. There was a chart on the board embracing my name “ Mr Jitender Singh , happy retirement!!”
5 th Septemper was my retirement day . Recently only I celebrated my 61st birthday . I was in this teaching profession from past 35 years . I have enjoyed every bit of being a teacher . I was being honored with a farewell . there was commotion in the whole school for the preparations .
The function had started. I was sitting on the couch with the principal on my side . The students were performing a drama , and Nitiesh, my student was playing my role. He was enacting me with finesse . I was surprised to see that the students imitated my behavior so very well that I was gaped while watching . And then my colleague ,Mrs Shabina came on the stage and narrated my teaching career. Her mere mentioning of starting of my teaching career in 1980 made me walk down the memory lane.
I came to Ludhiana in January 1980 from a small village of Haryana . I was called in to fill a vacancy for Chemistry teacher of class 10th. i clearly remember my interview day. It was 7th February and my mother made me eat sweet curd for getting the job . I prayed to the lord for a good day and nothing else. I was determined for getting the job . There was confidence in me that was built in me by own Guru to who I am indebted to the last of my breath. The Principal showed me the class where the demo was . There were adolescent boys standing and wishing me. Prior to anything new, my hands went cold but the way it went made me difficult even to write on the blackboard . I hold myself at that point.I was a mere graduate in science and that time it was a big certificate in my command .
The class was a large one accommodating 35 boys . There were wooden unpolished benches giving rough looks. The boys showed discipline and on the last benches sat three teachers to whom I clearly remember till day. one was Mr Bhakti and the other one was Mr Sahil.
Before the starting of the lecture , I remembered my guru and and the words of wisdom he used to say, “life is itself a school ,but remember it takes test first and teaches afterwards. Your every correct answer will double your confidence and your every wrong answer will double your experience.”
With a long breath , I commenced my lecture . I started off as to teach the boys not for marks they were going to hold but to make them capable in life. I was quite successful in holding my delivering my first lecture. This I came to know when a boy came to me , after the lecture was finished saying ,sir when will you join us?” I replied him saying from that day only . He touched my feet and that thing touched me. “I was a teacher!! “ the feeling was diffused in me life the brook who flows continuously to reach the ocean .And this feeling has never ended till date.
Then ,the principal in a buoyant disposition placed the letter before me, saying you will make an excellent teacher.
His voice echoed in my heart when Mrs shabina said “ an excellent teacher by nature , I on behalf of saint catholic school thanks you . we will miss a great teacher , motivator who was a friend in disguise of the teacher for all the students. Thank you sir.” And as she finished saying all this the whole auditorium cstood and applauded , i felt tears in the corner of my eyes .
The day that has ended is imprinted on my mind . But before the dusk draws the crimson in the sky , I have to thank Him , for he is my God as he was my teacher. “Guruji , thank you !! Happy Teacher’s Day to you too,” I murmured looking above in the sky to the one who illuminated me.