Teacher's day - I do not have much remembarance of this day in school (Birla Sagar Higher Secondary School, Porbandar). Gurupurnima is the ancient "Teacher's Day" and I feel we did not need another one - but when it comes to Teachers I can't complain. Just like for me Father and Mother's days are futile celebrations (as the cliche goes - we should observe these days everyday) so is Teacher's day. After all our values teach us that Teachers (Gurus) are next to parents and equal to God. I today ad this urge to mention about the teachers who I REALLY feel have influenced me.
Let me start from Kindergarten - Bhambhani Madam - my 1st teacher as far as I remember. Right from teaching alphabets, numbers and nursery rhymes to creating an interest in education, I owe a lot to you ma'm and even though I know I might have teased and irritated you no end, I am indebted.
Joshi sir - Sir you taught Hindi to us kids. We didn't like your class as you were extremely strict. We teased you because of your Brahmin "choti" but I must say this - you created love for Hindi in my heart without me even realising it. I still remember the 1st thing you would do on entering the classroom - write "Shri Ganeshay Namah" on the top of the blackboard. I continue doing this till date. Whenever I start a new notebook/diary "Shri Ganeshay Namah" is the 1st thing that goes on it. Thank you sir!
Antani Sir - Sir I can never forget you in my entire life. You taught me music but more than that you taught me the importance of music. You taught us soulful prayers, encouraged us to learn music, helped participate in competitions withOUT expecting anything in return. I don't have the words to describe but you have left a great impression on my life
Minaxi Madam - English is the word that comes to my mind before I even finish your name Ma'm :) You not only taught English language, you inculcated love for languages in our young minds without us knowing about it. Even today when someone asks me about an effective way to learn "proper" English I tell them the same method as you did - "read 1 paragraph from a good newspaper/website (we did this through Times of India then but today ToI actually needs a bunch of good English Teachers) everyday... note down all the new words and their meanings from the dictionary, into a notebook and take efforts to use those wordswhile speaking. I cannot forget how proud everyone in school felt on getting a "Very Good" or Excellent" and a velvet star on the notebooks from you.Thank you ma'm!
Thakrar Madam and Sundar Sir - Thank you for making Mathemetics fun to learn and making us believe that we need not fear the subject and that ALL can score in Maths. I know I made a mess of that learning in college, but all blame is on me for that - you did the best for us.
Dashottar Sir - For me you are the only Master of Hindi language. Amazing command and beautiful flow of language. Till date I feel sad that I studied Hindi from you for just 2 years. I attribute my love for poetry to your inimitable style of reciting and conveying the poet's meaning behind the lines. You contributed immensely in making me respect any language like religion. And the humor that you carried while teaching is something I have never seen in a teacher in my life. "Tentua daba dunga", "Zameen mei gaadhke ghode dudva dunga"...I remember these fun lines even after 22 years!
Late Shri Bora Sir - Sir how can I forget you? You brought an imaginary love in my life that continues till date - History. How can a subject about ruins, blood and dead people be romantic...by learning it from Bohra sir. Your understanding of the subject...your departure from text books to teach the subject and your style created an interest for the subject that, given the chance and time - I would love to learn over and over again. Thank you sir. I still remember a part of your home address after you retired and left Porbandar - "Behind Olympic Cinema, Jodhpur, Rajasthan".
And of course there are many others whom I might have missed mentioning here, who directly or indirectly have shaped my thoughts and values. I am indebted to you All gurus. Thank you!
