11 - WHAT GETS ME ECSTATIC.........

Our school organises a picnic for the students and of course, teachers have to go along and be alert,  keeping the childrens' safety in mind.  But teachers are allowed to enjoy the picnic too.   Our last outing was to Tikuji-ni-wadi,   at Thane.   I enjoyed the journey much more than the destination,   especially to the venue.  

The weather in the early morning is pleasant and all the kids are happy and eager,  and full of happy anticipation.    The traffic is moving smoothly and the fresh breeze is almost pollution free.    The sights and sounds along the road are viewable,  unlike the ones when one travels by the local train.

On this particular trip, what made me ecstatic,  were the blooming Jacaranda trees along the Vikhroli highway.   All the trees were in full bloom and their soft purple blossoms lined the central path of the highway for a few kilometres.   It was as though God had used his paints to beautify the roads for us!

The other sight that gave me a high were the birds.   Along the highway to Tikuji-ni-wadi,   there are a few high rises which are connected by electrical wires or so it seemed from the moving bus.   Atop these wires,  families of birds were perched, probably chatting and deciding the day's schedule among themselves.     The silhouette that these birds presented seemed almost ethereal.   There were parrots,  crows and sparrows.  When I see birds and animals that happily and freely co-exist on this planet,  an inherent calm assurance overwhelms me,  that all is safe and that the world is a happy place to be in.

The feelings of peace are not a little influenced by the fact that the parents of the students who have come along,   have faith in us as teachers and guardians.    That they have allowed their wards to travel in our custody.

So,  as a teacher,  I too enjoy a picnic,  but for different reasons.

 

4 - TEACHER'S DAY.

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.