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Mala Das
Kendriya Vidyalaya 1
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Resident of: Purbachal Cluster IV
Teaching for: 30 years
Subjects: Hindi, mathematics, environmental studies
The best thing about being a teacher: The love and affection of students and their parents. It is a great feeling to have students return to meet you years after they pass out. It also is wonderful to see a child developing values and growing into good people.
The worst thing about being a teacher: Indisciplined students. But I try to motivate them instead of scolding, as that makes them more adamant.
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Book/film that I’d recommend to my students: Taare Zameen Par. The film taught us that children have different speeds of learning and that we must acknowledge and accommodate that.
If not a teacher, I’d be: A doctor. The only reason I did not become one was because I would feel terrible if I failed to save a patient. But as a teacher the success rate of churning out good students is higher.
Kshama Dam
St. Francis Xavier
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Resident of: Lake District, near Swabhumi
Teaching for: 10 years
Subject: Biology
The best thing about being a teacher: Being able to interact with young minds and exchange perspectives.
The worst thing about being a teacher: The teacher-student relationship is no longer what it used to be in our times. Now teachers have to think twice before reprimanding a student, lest they get complained against. If we do not have a free rein, how do we discipline youngsters?
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Book/film that I’d recommend to my students: Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson. This book has taught me to keep my cool even when I get upset with students. If the students feel depressed having scored poorly or feel angry at their friends, they can read a chapter and boost their morale. I recommend they start their day with this book.
If not a teacher, I’d be: When I was younger I had wanted to become a doctor. But I also love teaching. And it has worked out fine since I am married to a doctor now.
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Puloma Sen
Hariyana Vidya Mandir
Resident of: DA Block
Teaching for: Three years
Subjects: Social studies and dance
The best thing about being a teacher: I feel proud to see my students excelling in life and I feel very happy when former students come to meet me.
The worst thing about being a teacher: My throat is usually sore from having to shout in class. Also I feel sad when some students place more focus on projects than actual academics.
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Book/ film that I’d recommend to my students: Koni. This film teaches us to never give up. It is about how a teacher, played in the film by Soumitra Chatterjee, can motivate a student and shape his/ her personality.
If not a teacher, I’d be: A classical dancer. But since our school is into extra-curricular activities I get to choreograph and organise various stage shows here. So I have been able to marry both my interests.
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Shivaji Bose
Salt Lake School
Subject: English
Teaching for: 22 years
Resident of: Labony Estate
The best thing about being a teacher: We can mould young minds and see them become better citizens in due course of time.
The worst thing about being a teacher: Correction of answer scripts.
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Book/film that I’d recommend to my students: Inspired Talks by Swami Vivekananda and A Study on Swami Vivekananda’s doctrine of Real Man by Mariadasan Chellamoni. Swami Vivekananda led an enriching life. We should all follow his ideals and concepts to build a new India. His ideas are very important as they provide guidelines for the misguided youth. Swami Vivekananda talks more about being a world citizen and these two books give us perception and guidance.
If not a teacher, I’d be: An archaeologist.
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Paromita Mukherjee
Institute of Engineering & Management
Subject: English language & technical communication
Teaching for: 14 years
Resident of: FD Block
The best thing about being a teacher: I get to learn a lot from my students. I can interact with young people and get their feedback on new ideas.
The worst thing about being a teacher: I behave as a teacher everywhere, even while socialising. It has become an in-built thing and at times puts me in strange situations.
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Book/film that I’d recommend to my students: Mona Lisa Smile. The movie talks about the enlightenment of women and women’s education. It is very important for us to know that women have an identity similar to men in society and the spirit of a woman should not be suppressed.
If not a teacher, I’d be: If I were asked to write down three professions of my choice; those would be — teacher, teacher and teacher.
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Runa Ganguli Biswas
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
Subject: History
Teaching for: 14 years
Resident of: AJ Block
The best thing about being a teacher: I’ve the attention of young minds which helps me to shape and change youngsters for the good.
The worst thing about being a teacher: We have to be more careful than we were 10 years ago while pulling up someone for a misdeed. We are scared of scolding or criticising a student now.
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Book/film that I’d recommend to my students: Gandhi. The movie helps us learn how we attained our independence. It helps to trace our roots and make us aware of the problems in contemporary India as going back to the past makes us understand the present better.
If not a teacher, I’d be: A researcher and a writer.
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Madhurima Sen
Bidhannagar Government High School
Subject: English
Teaching for: 14 years
Resident of: CE Block
The best thing about being a teacher: You automatically stay updated by being in contact with the youth, be it about social networking or about new methods of studying.
The worst thing about being a teacher: Examining answer scripts and cracking one’s voice in trying to control a class or make one’s voice reach till the last bench.
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Book/film that I’d recommend to my students: The film Agantuk by Satyajit Ray. Utpal Dutt’s character (picture above) embodies the philosophy of The Vagabond — “All I seek, the heaven above/And the road below me.” The more they travel, the more their minds will open to new people, new cultures.
If not a teacher, I’d be: No idea. I have wanted to be a teacher all my life.
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Satarupa Hore
Hariyana Vidya Mandir
Subject: Bengali
Teaching for: 13 years
Resident of: BA Block
The best thing about being a teacher: We are always in touch with the young generation. Despite our age, we stay updated because of them.
The worst thing about being a teacher: There is nothing bad about being a teacher.
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Book/film that I’d recommend to my students: Ha Ja Ba Ra La by Sukumar Roy. It is a humourous book and would help students develop a love for Bengali. It is a refined work of Bengali literature and one would get to understand the present scenario better, as it depicts the modern society.
If not a teacher, I’d be: A dancer and choreographer
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Rina Paladhi
Techno India
Subject: Engineering chemistry
Teaching for: 14 years
Resident of: Lake District, near Swabhumi
The best thing about being a teacher: It is a noble profession and it gives me immense pride to see them do well in life. We are privileged to get to treat them with love and care.
The worst thing about being a teacher: Seeing some other faculty member being disrespected by some students.
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Book/film that I’d recommend to my students: 3 Idiots. It should be watched by all students as I feel that they should have the freedom to choose their career rather than be forced into it. They should go for a field they like and not be made to opt for something they don’t.
If not a teacher, I’d be: A researcher.
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Meena Rajesh
Our Lady Queen Of The Missions School
Subject: Physics
Teaching for: 13 years
Resident of: FD Block
The best thing about being a teacher: We are loved by students and our ex-students still remember us with affection.
The worst thing about being a teacher: At times, it gets a bit monotonous as we have to teach the same topics year after year.
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Book/film that I’d recommend to my students: Books by Dan Brown like The Da Vinci Code. Dan Brown blends science with fiction in an apt manner. Reading his books would definitely generate their interest in science.
If not a teacher, I’d be: A scientist.
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Rita Bhattacharya
Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 2
Subject: Social studies
Teaching for: 25 years
Resident of: Sourav Abasan, ED Block
The best thing about being a teacher: We are mentors to young students who are so innocent and lovable. We are shaping the future citizens of India.
The worst thing about being a teacher: Correction of answer scripts.
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Book/film that I’d recommend to my students: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. The movie shows the trials and tribulations that iconic athlete Milkha Singh had to overcome in pursuit of his dreams. It is clearly showcased that hard work is the definite key to success. This movie would give students encouragement and also make them understand that unless they try, they would never reach their goals.
If not a teacher, I’d be: Working in the NGO sector.
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Sarbari Karmakar
Sri Aurobindo Institute of Education
Subject: Biology
Teaching for: 7 years
Resident of: Purbachal Cluster I
The best thing about being a teacher: We get to interact with various types of students
The worst thing about being a teacher: Evaluating or assessing them when we are forced to give them marks after going through their answer scripts. We all know that they are much more than the marks they score.
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Book/film that I’d recommend to my students: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. These days teenagers are under a lot of pressure and this is the main reason why some of them go off track. Such books will create a positive impact which would help them to focus in life.
If not a teacher, I’d be: A 3D graphics designer who would contribute to the field of biology by making 3D models.
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Rangan Datta
International School of Business and Media, Techno India
Subjects: Mathematics and economics
Teaching for: 11 years
Resident of: AA Block
The best thing about being a teacher: I feel very proud to see my students established in different professional fields.
The worst thing about being a teacher: Checking exam scripts. If I had my way I would only teach in class and skip this bit. I usually put off checking answer scripts till the last minute, when I have to sit and check them all in one breath.
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Book/film that I’d recommend to my students: To Sir, With Love, the autobiographical novel of E. R. Braithwaite. The book was about the real-life experiences of a teacher who joins a school and gradually reforms its unmotivated students. It is the ultimate tale of taking up challenges and adjusting in difficult situations.
If not a teacher, I’d be: A full-time travel writer. I do this part-time now.
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Maitreyee Chatterjee
AG Block Primary School
Subjects: English, Bengali, mathematics, environmental science
Teaching for: 33 years
Resident of: AC Block
The best thing about being a teacher: A teacher’s job is one of great responsibility — all the more in my school, where many students are first-generation learners and we often have to explain to parents why they must send their children to school. So more than asking what I like about this profession I ask what I can give to this profession. There have been times when my own children have been down with fever but I left them at home to tend to my students. That’s because they needed me more. When I see a student completing his/her education and joining work in an impressive field, I feel I have succeeded.
The worst thing about being a teacher: A student may have learnt his studies but I feel bad if I see I have failed to teach them to know right from wrong. This could be something as simple as avoiding junk food. I feel defeated when after spending a period in telling children why these are harmful for them, their parents buy them sherbets made of unclean water after school.
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Book/film that I’d recommend to my students: Tagore’s poem Chitto jetha bhoyshunyo, uchcho jetha shir (Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high). Only if a teacher imbibes the meaning of this poem can she impart it to her students. The poem teaches us to aspire for knowledge, truth and perfection.
If not a teacher, I’d be: I am a year away from retirement and even today I cannot think of any other profession that I could have pursued.
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Manas Ray
Salt Lake (English Medium) School
Subject: English
Teaching for: 27 years
Resident of: AE (Part 1) Block
The best thing about being a teacher: One can always be with children. There is no tension or politics involved. It’s a special bond between teachers and students and we are like one big family.
The worst thing about being a teacher: I find the regular correction of answer scripts hectic.
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Book/film that I’d recommend to my students: The Sound of Music. This was a lovely film about a governess who has the daunting task of managing seven children. Eventually her love for them conquers all. This film has inspired me a lot.
If not a teacher, I’d be: A doctor. I was born in a family of doctors and I too was sent to Madras Medical College to pursue MBBS. But I could not stand the ragging there and came back to Calcutta. Then I changed my subject and studied English literature.
Which book or film would you want your teachers/ students to read/see?
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