By 
Come 5th September, and Teacher’s Day or Shikshak Divas is celebrated all over India. It is a day dedicated to teachers. It is a day when students express their gratitude and love to their mentors and guides. They convey their respect and regard to them. On this day, teachers are felicitated for their efforts and contribution to the lives of their students. They are thanked and honoured for their role in enlightening and empowering their students.
What is the importance of Teacher’s Day?
Though a teacher’s contribution cannot be measured in a tangible manner, there is no way that anybody can deny their role in their student’s lives. A teacher is a guide, a mentor, and a role model who plays a critical role in shaping the minds of children. Children are like soft clay, which needs to be given a form and shape. This is where a teacher comes in. Teachers enlighten and empower students with all the knowledge that they have. They are instrumental in shaping a country’s future by shaping the children’s future. Teachers play a critical role in our lives by showing us the right path. Therefore it is only natural that we as people, as a nation celebrate them and their contribution. Teacher’s day od a day just for our teachers. On this day, their role is acknowledged and appreciated. It is a day when we express our love and indebtedness to them.
As Malala Yousafzai says,’ Let us remember; One book, one pen, one child and one teacher can change the world.’
Society and the people who form a part of it need to be educated if the society has to develop and progress. This is something which only teachers can do.
Thus the role of a teacher cannot be overemphasized.
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Aristotle also said, ‘Those who educate children well are more to be honoured than parents, for these only gave life, those the art of living well.’
Ultimately it is not the life but how you live that life which matters. And that is something which only the teachers can teach.
Why is Teacher’s Day Celebrated on 5th September?
In India, we celebrate Teacher’s day on 5th September, the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, the first Vice President and the 2nd President of Independent India. Dr Radhakrishnan was a philosopher, a scholar and a teacher. It was on his suggestion that this day is celebrated as a day dedicated to all the teachers.
The year was 1965 when some of his students decided to celebrate his birthday. But he suggested that ‘instead of celebrating my birthday separately, it would be my proud privilege if 5th September is observed as Teacher’s Day.’
From then on, 5th September is celebrated as Teacher’s Day in India.
How is Teacher’s Day Celebrated?
It is a day which is celebrated in every educational institution. Several events and functions are organized to mark this occasion. In many schools, the senior classes take on the mantel of teaching the junior classes on this day. The seniors dress up like teachers and behave like them.
The teachers are felicitated and honoured in various ways. Both past and present students pay their respect and regard with cards, flowers and other mementoes. Events and activities like singing and dance competitions, games and picnics are organized to mark the day.
In addition to this, the country celebrates this day by presenting the National Award for teachers. These awards are given to the school and University teachers for their contribution. The award includes a medal, certificate and a cash award.
Though we can never overlook the contribution made by teachers, this day just makes it special for them. Every student, every child can use this day, this opportunity to express their gratitude and pay tribute to their gurus, their teachers.
Happy Teacher’s Day!
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