I remember the days when as a student it seemed comforting to know that the answer to a question after a lesson, lay snug comfortable between the 2 brackets that the teacher had asked us to mark. Neatly scribbled in the page margin was the question number. Back home, I looked forward to draw the double margin with a red ball pen, using a sharp pencil and scale to underline the topic while completing the homework assignment to copy the beautiful long answer in the brackets from the text in the notebook. I used a sweet smelling eraser to rub any pencil smudges that might have run over the ruled lines while I moved the scale. Once I completed writing the answer, I would turn back all the pages to count the number of times I had received a star or a ‘Good’ or ‘Neat Work’ written by the Teacher. I knew that this time too, the assignment would get me something to make my effort count. To see a sharp bright red tick across the page with a remark that said – Neat work, scribbled in the right hand corner of the page was a pure delight. I can still remember the strange feeling of peaceful content that I felt at the end of each lesson that went this way.

Then there were days that I dreaded. Days I knew were a Tuesday. The first session of the day was the test. It was ok until I finished writing the date and my name on the sheet. Then came the questions – which stared as if they were back to avenge the neglect. I had always chosen to decorate only my answers in neat cursive and punctuated them lovingly. I remembered exactly that there were 2 paragraphs for the answer of this question and yes it was written on the right hand side of the book, but what I could not recall then was… exactly what had I written on that page. Sigh, sharpening my pencils or measuring my scented eraser with my scale did not seem to help nor did my memory come to my rescue.

Racing time ahead, I am still fascinated today with answers that come drafted to a question. As a parent of a middle schooler, I see the difference in how the student has now begun to enjoy the questions and the challenges it brings. The more the questions are intriguing, more the student is happy to unravel the mystery. The happiness to explain, the joy to crack the questions and writing answers gleefully on the paper reflects the sheer joy of a learner when challenged. Gone are the days when answers to questions were served like a gift wrapped with the exact words quoted from the text lovingly garnished with the words from the question. Today each child writes differently, interpreting in ways not prescribed by texts but by a reflection of whatever understanding has remained with the learner, long after the lesson sessions were completed. Discussions which are prominent with their animated explanations and a glowing sparkle in the eye and yes, you know for sure that the young adult in front of you is more of a seeker of knowledge than you were at his or her age.

This is today’s generation which quenches its thirst for knowledge under many streams. They find the lessons hidden in a capsule of digitalisation quite fascinating and long lasting in their memories. Of course, nothing can match the sheen that a prepared teacher brings in. Armoured with a strong content knowledge, the right essence of humour, fluent communication skills and also a razor sharp sense of sight and hearing, these modern day educators are often the right blend of a loving parent and a professional mentor. These teachers not just teach the answers to questions but also their class learns to ask questions which can challenge any existing explanation to prove itself yet again. The days have turned and questions you ask have become as meaningful as the answers one seeks. Rather than answers, questions have begun to reflect about what you know… so far.

So here is a question: When was the last time you did something for the first time?

My answer is today, as I write this article and punctuate this sentence once again lovingly with my favourite punctuation mark – the ellipsis, 3 perfect circle dots and this time I know exactly what my page speaks or do I…

 

Diana Isabel,
Parent of Teekshna Sherry Tabita
VIBGYOR High – Airoli, Mumbai

 

To Sir/Ma’am With Love

I remember what a student told me some years ago: ‘Ma’am, I respect soldiers and teachers the most. Soldiers, because they safeguard the nation, and teachers, because they build it.’ Such words of wisdom from one so young, a mere 15 year old, gratified me and reaffirmed my faith in my chosen profession.

Everyone wishes to pick the best in whatever they have to select – the best home, clothes, cars, a candidate for a political post, a job, an employee, ingredients for a recipe, equipment for a gym, toys and books for children, art installations, movies, music, technology related items, players for different sports teams, infrastructure and furniture for a building or complex…the list is endless. Everywhere there is a demand for the best.

However, teachers do not get to pick and choose the students they want. They do not even wish to. They are happy with the students they get. And there is a beautiful and powerful reason for this. True teachers simply do not sift through the list of children to keep the ‘best’ for themselves because they think that each child is the best in something or the other. Each child is unique. Each child has a special talent. Each child has something endearing and lovable about her or him. Each child is a challenge and each child is eventually a winner.

Teachers give endlessly of their love and knowledge. In return, all they ask for is love, respect, hard work and integrity.

This is what a teacher is all about. With teachers’ day having been celebrated just about a week ago, let us all strive to make everyday a tribute to our teachers. Let it not be limited to a token day once a year.

Let every day be a HAPPY TEACHERS’ DAY!
Outside of books, beyond studies,
Outside of class, beyond syllabus,
Outside of marks, beyond grades,
There’s that One,

Who gives you time, effort, love and guidance.
That’s your Teacher, like no other!
Be grateful, for the one you had.
Be extremely proud, if you are one!
You’re precious! You’re special!

Television – Boon or Bane

Television is an ocean of entertainment, knowledge and information, but many people think that it is an idiot box and that watching T.V. is simply wastage of time. I think if properly used it has more advantages than disadvantages.

Television is one of the best sources of entertainment. It provides us variety of entertainment such as daily soaps, reality shows etc. Television viewing adds information and knowledge to our lives. It is the best way of getting rapid news which can be transmitted in a moment. There are many news channels which provide news about current affairs, sports, and movies. There are channels like Discovery, Nat Geo and History T.V. 18 which enhance our knowledge regarding science, technology and wild life. Channels like Fashion T.V. inspire people and influence their lifestyle. Many programmes improve our skills like cooking, speaking, acting and dancing. In a nut shell, it impacts our overall personality. It is also a means to showcase the talent of common people.

On the other hand, many people call it an idiot box because it hampers our ability to think and argue. It is also blamed of reducing our creativity and some people say that it compromises reading and writing abilities also. However these side effects are associated with excessive T.V. watching. Many programmes spread violence and hatred among people. It is also killing family values. It makes people idle and is also turning them into couch potatoes. Many health issues like headache, sleeplessness, eye sight problems and obesity are caused by excessive watching of T.V. It also affects behaviour of youngsters in a negative way making them aggressive and less tolerant.

To conclude, I would like to say that television is one of the best useful inventions of all time. It is up to us how we can extract the best out of it. Many of the ill effects are associated with excessive T.V. watching. Negative behavioural changes can be stopped by selecting appropriate programmes and through the supervision of parents.

 

Aarush Mishra

Grade – 5

VIBGYOR High, Lucknow