For me, Teacher's Day is an occasion to celebrate the unique bond that a student and his mentor share. Unfortunately, over the years, the value of guru-shishya relationship has degraded.

I still remember an event that is very vivid in my memory. I was a lecturer at BJB College in Bhubaneswar and one of my colleagues invited me to have abhada or prasad at his home during a ceremony. At his house there was an old man, who happened to be my colleague's father-in-law.

The moment he heard my voice, he shouted out my name. Incidentally, he was my Odia teacher in college. I was meeting him after 10 or 12 years and yet he recognised me by my voice. I had a great connection with him and we relived all those moments on that day.

That was the kind of relationship we shared with our teachers during those times. Unfortunately, I do not find that bond among students and teachers these days.

Since the day English learning system was introduced in our country, education has become commercialised. All that teachers do nowadays is take classes to complete syllabus.

Coaching centres are ruling the roost and students are bent on getting a job or start something of their own. No one is interested to gain knowledge and in the process students fail to build a personal relationship with teachers and vice-versa.

One of the major reasons responsible for the growing distance between guru-shishya is the growth of technology. Every information one requires is available at the click of a mouse, so one does not feel the need to approach a teacher to learn new things.

Moreover, test papers and answer books are available for all classes that were a rarity during our times. So, half of the problem is solved because one has easy access to the answers. However, the shortcut method to gain knowledge is taking a toll on the relationship.

I feel it is the responsibility of the teachers to increase interaction with their students. When I was studying at Ravenshaw College, Cuttack, one of my teachers, Manmath Das, who taught us history used to invite me to his room and give me books to read.

He knew that I had financial problems so he gave me seminar books and helped me prepare notes for reference.

These little gestures on the part of the teacher are very important.

My father was a schoolteacher and I have seen him provide free lessons to local boys in our area who were financially backward. I made sure that I continued the tradition. I still have the teachings of my gurus instilled in me and I am lucky enough that many of my students are still in touch with me. Many people have sent me messages and called me up to convey their good wishes and that is what I consider as my biggest achievement.

(The author is an eminent writer)

 

As told to Anwesha Ambaly