Teacher's day is unique to India, thanks to Dr.Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. My school students perform dances to entertain the teachers. Then we are treated to lunch at a hotel.
The painful part of teacher's day celebrations is that I am expected to accept 'gifts' from students. Usually these are flowers (natural and plastic ones), red pens, chocolates (mostly dubious ones, or the Celebrations box meant for kids), and of course. the all time favourite gift-the tea mug. And then, the cards, most of which are the Archie's brand and so each teacher gets 7 to 8 similar ones. Some parents let their kids design cards and each teacher gets a few 'masterpieces'. It is a rare occasion when a parent sends an interesting and worthwhile 'gift' for the teacher on Teacher's day.
The lack of imagination and innovation by big brands like Cadbury's and Archie's, is to blame for the sad choices that the student's parents make for gifts. Pens, purses and watches (mostly cheap raste-ka-maal) are the main objects that parents assume they can gift teachers. The male teachers receive neckties and cheap deos. And some teachers receive placards and frames, with inspirational words eulogizing teachers. Parents expect teachers to display such frames and posters in their home and treasure them? Do not forget that teachers are fond of ordinary utility items, same as you.
On 5th September, the happiest persons are the plastic flower vendor and the natural flower vendor on the footpath outside schools. Why is there no practical merchandise available for Teacher's day? Dear parents, I am writing this blog so that it can be an eye opener for you. How will you all realize that most of the 'gifts' are given away to the peons since they are not of a good quality, unless someone tells you this? If you buy anything to gift your child's teachers, do introspect and empathize as to whether you would like to be at the receiving end. Once I even received a beautifully packed wallet that had been used and the zip was spoilt.
I have a simple remedy for the follies of parents. It is very easy for any teacher to involuntarily dislike the student who gives a cheap gift. My policy is to try not to remember which child gives what. And I never accept flowers. Simply because I think it is futile to accept flowers and then discard them into a bin after 2 to 3 hours. It would be better that parents would not waste money buying them.
Maybe it would be more practical and useful for students to contribute towards one common gift for a teacher. Then the gift would be worthwhile and memorable.
There is nothing else to write about this day, simply because there is nothing more that happens to ordinary teachers.
The painful part of teacher's day celebrations is that I am expected to accept 'gifts' from students. Usually these are flowers (natural and plastic ones), red pens, chocolates (mostly dubious ones, or the Celebrations box meant for kids), and of course. the all time favourite gift-the tea mug. And then, the cards, most of which are the Archie's brand and so each teacher gets 7 to 8 similar ones. Some parents let their kids design cards and each teacher gets a few 'masterpieces'. It is a rare occasion when a parent sends an interesting and worthwhile 'gift' for the teacher on Teacher's day.
The lack of imagination and innovation by big brands like Cadbury's and Archie's, is to blame for the sad choices that the student's parents make for gifts. Pens, purses and watches (mostly cheap raste-ka-maal) are the main objects that parents assume they can gift teachers. The male teachers receive neckties and cheap deos. And some teachers receive placards and frames, with inspirational words eulogizing teachers. Parents expect teachers to display such frames and posters in their home and treasure them? Do not forget that teachers are fond of ordinary utility items, same as you.
On 5th September, the happiest persons are the plastic flower vendor and the natural flower vendor on the footpath outside schools. Why is there no practical merchandise available for Teacher's day? Dear parents, I am writing this blog so that it can be an eye opener for you. How will you all realize that most of the 'gifts' are given away to the peons since they are not of a good quality, unless someone tells you this? If you buy anything to gift your child's teachers, do introspect and empathize as to whether you would like to be at the receiving end. Once I even received a beautifully packed wallet that had been used and the zip was spoilt.
I have a simple remedy for the follies of parents. It is very easy for any teacher to involuntarily dislike the student who gives a cheap gift. My policy is to try not to remember which child gives what. And I never accept flowers. Simply because I think it is futile to accept flowers and then discard them into a bin after 2 to 3 hours. It would be better that parents would not waste money buying them.
Maybe it would be more practical and useful for students to contribute towards one common gift for a teacher. Then the gift would be worthwhile and memorable.
There is nothing else to write about this day, simply because there is nothing more that happens to ordinary teachers.
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