A Teacher Must Remain An Eternal Student

I honestly believe that a teacher ceases to be a teacher when he becomes contented with his knowledge, refuses to learn further from others, surroundings.

A teacher must always remain an eternal student!

There is a beautiful Shloka in Rig Veda :

आ नो भद्रा: क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वत:
( Let noble thoughts come to us from every side. Let us learn from all. )

The year was 2009, it was extremely cold evening of December.

A gentleman in his seventies came to my house and requested, “Sir, my grandson is doing Masters in Business Administration (M.B.A) from Indore. He is not comfortable with Macroeconomics and Statistics. Will you do me a favour by teaching these subjects to him?”

I told the septuagenarian to send his grandson the next day.

Sartaj Singh came at the appointed time, humbly touched my feet.

I blessed him and asked him to introduce himself.

He told me that he was from a farming family of Punjab (incidentally his village is at a stone’s throw from mine), stayed in the hostel of the university at Indore. He wanted to join a good Multi National Corporation after completing his studies.

Sartaj was a quick learner. He soon understood the nuances of the subject.

I taught him for about four months.

He sat for his examinations in the month of April, assured me that he would pass with the flying colors.

After a few months, Sartaj’s result was declared.

He came to my house with a box of sweets and a bouquet.

“Sir, I have done very well in Macroeconomics and Statistics but was unable to score much in other subjects. My aggregate percentage is 55%.” he said with a beaming face.

“Only 55%, and you are distributing sweets as if you have got heaven on earth.” I asked in amazement.

“Sir, I am in seventh heaven today so I am distributing sweets. I have also planned to give a grand party to my friends.

Sir, I am intensely happy because I would not have to repeat the semester. I would not only be promoted to the next semester, but would again sit among the galaxy of super intelligent students – those who routinely secure more than 90%.” he said, rather innocently.

That day Sartaj taught me to look on the bright side, to be always satisfied and in high spirits.

~ Sanjay Gargish ~