Right To Education - "On a Teacher's Day"

Summer days are long. But the days are not as long, I think summer is almost over and as soon as this thought crossed my mind I could actually see some clouds hovering in the sky, floating and manoeuvring with the help of wind. Yes there is a little breeze blowing here. The day is not as long as I assumed it to be.

It was start of September, late monsoons to a retreating monsoon in India, pouring rains in most of the thirsty lands, and over pouring at some. Not flood here, not too much of rain, Delhi is not a place blessed much with the real beauty of rains if I compare it with the places I have been and places which have been with me. It was not surprising that I thought it to be a summer day.

On this day I woke up the usual eightish, thanked god for giving me another day, I thank him each day for the life he has given me. I know I am lucky to have this life because life has been so beautiful. I did the usual three t's; the tea, toilet and toothbrush combo. I had a plan for the day. I was to go to school. On a Saturday morning when I open my eyes there are two things which are delightful; first, Its an Office Off and second, its a day for me.

So I had a plan to go to this school, nothing disciplinary but rather a pleasure. These kids form the Underprivileged part of the beautiful society that I am an eminent part of. Each time I see them I know life is beautiful, not because of the things I have, but because of the things I don't have, because of things that I can have, things that I aspire to have, things that are there and do not belong to me. Each time I see them, I see life bigger than it is. What probably has been the most satisfying combination for me is life with kids and learning - Education, as an Institute of Life.

This NGO run school "Apna Ghar" provides education to these underprivileged kids from the neighbouring area. Kids who are the future of the nation and if I become broader, the future of life. These kids are provided food by "Sai Temple" nearby. The school not only takes care of the Institutional requirements of the Educational organisation but also provides with support in field of overall personality development of the kids by being a part of their life, solving their family issues and orgainising vocational trainings and personality development modules for the Kids and their family member and the teachers.

Oh now, It was 5th September and I had a plan to celebrate my Teacher's Day with this very special student and teacher group. These teachers they stay in the school itself and as far as I have seen, this school and these kids form the real part of their life. I wanted to be a part of this celebration.

I took out my car, i like to call her my wife, she is not very pretty, but still very beautiful to me. She has been kind and somber and right beside me at all time since we got married. I have always felt safe with her. So I made a move, reached to the 1st red light where I saw another stunner. Its not surprising, but yes its new to me each time I see it. Beautiful gal, wearing torn cloths, dirt all around her clothes and enshrouding her innocence and seraphic self. But her eyes were not covered by anything, 111 seconds was my wait time, and she came up to me asking for something, anything that I could give. I looked into her eyes, shiver and I was perspiring. I said sorry to myself before I spoke to her "I have nothing to offer".

She scratched on my car and moved on to the next car.

111 seconds later I was again on road with my wife, she sings well and that is my favorite part. I reached to this school. Small kids wearing Saree, what did i see Saree?? Okay it was a trend in my school as well. On a Teacher's Day you get to be a Teacher of your choice. She was a science teacher today. The school was almost over and this was what I came for. Just before the prayers and lunch that is served after the Prayer, I had my twenty minutes with these kids.

Did I want to show off or I was just being a normal human being. I wanted to share my knowledge with these kids.

So i started;

Kids what day is it today?

Teacher's Day. (Enthusiastic and loud)

Hmmm. So why is it that its celebrated today?

Birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. (God, they knew the full name. Good!!)

So what is so special about Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan?

2nd President of India and a Teacher himself. (I was thinking now that they know it all)

So why is a Teacher Important?

Various answers...... (here i come) because they give us knowledge (Shiksha), (Yes, i did it.)

Shiksha se kya hota hai? (What does knowledge bring to us?)

Navin Pandey: Shiksha se Desh Mahan hota hai (Knowledge and education brings greatness to my Country.)

I was standing there stunned for a moment. Awed, mesmerised, struck by lightening. Check again, what is your name son, which class you are in?

"Navin Pandey, class II"

Could you repeat what you said.

"Shiksha se Desh Mahan hota hai"

I had a pilot pen in my pocket, we get them in our office. I gave him that and i repeated "Shiksha se Desh Mahan hota hai". God, I came here to learn.

While going back, when at the red light, that gal came to me again, I looked into her eyes. I was not ashamed of myself, I was not scared I said "Padhegi, Main tera admission karunga, yahin paas mein ek school hai" (Will you study, I will get you admitted, there is a school near by) I had something to give to her, thanks to Navin.

The gal looked at me again, scratched my car, and moved to the next car.

~ Lutarai