Few Thoughts and Memories as the Teachers’ Day Approaches
By Dr. Eugene D’Souza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network
Moodubelle, 01 September 2010: Teachers’ Day’ is being celebrated all over India on 5th September every year, a special day on which teachers are honoured by their students and their services are appreciated by the society. Though, the respect and honour to the teachers is due on every day of the year, like any other special day set aside, the Teachers’ Day has been observed in different ways in different regions, but with same aim and objective of appreciating the noble profession of teaching and making the teachers feel that they are special in the lives of the students as educators, guides, advisers and friends.
In India, Teachers’ Day has been celebrated since 1962 on the birthday of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, former President of India and great statesman on 5th September as ‘Teachers’ Day’. Born on 5th September 1888, at Tiruttani, 40 miles to the north-east of Chennai (Madras), Radhakrishnan grew to become the most famous Indian teacher and philosopher of all times. When Dr. Radhakrishnan became the president of India in 1962, some of his students and friends approached him and requested him to allow them to celebrate 5th September, his "birthday". In reply, Dr, Radhakrishnan said, "instead of celebrating my birthday separately, it would be my proud privilege if 5th September is observed as Teachers’ day". The request showed Dr.Radhakrishnan’s love for the teaching profession. From then onwards, the day has been observed as ‘Teachers’ Day’ in India.
Since times immemorial, Indians have respected and idolized their teachers. Earlier, the teacher was referred as ’Guru’. However, in modern times a teacher is addressed as ’Sir’ or ’Madam’. However, the role of teachers has remained the same. They were, are and will continue to be the educators who impart knowledge that they gained to their students, promote their intellectual, physical and moral growth and be their guiding light, creating conditions conducive to their overall development and inculcating in them such ideals that they would become fine human beings and responsible citizens.
As the Teachers’ Day approaches, i cannot but remember with great respect and gratitude my own teachers who had played an important role during my journey through education and in choosing and shaping my career in the teaching field. I still have some memories of my early school days in Moodubelle. In a way, i can say that Benny Master and i had joined the school on the same day, Benny Master as a teacher, fresh after passing SSLC and i was a student in the first standard. As the years rolled by i had the privilege of being the student of Sila Master (Sylvester Castelino), Duje Master (Joseph D’Souza), Lores Master (Post Master), Lilly Teacher, Ittu Master (Victor Martis), Itthu Master (Victor Rebello) and of course Sadananda Master. At that time, respect to the teachers stemmed from the fear of the long stick that the teachers used to carry with them along with books, though they used it sparingly. The teachers at that time lived simple lives and usually carried on agriculture which has been the traditional family occupation. These and other teachers whose names i may not clearly recall laid a strong foundation and ignited a love of learning among their students.
I had been in the newly established St. Lawrence High School for just one year for new eighth standard in the third batch. As the high school was new, the teachers too were new, but i can still recall the faces of Headmaster, Deju Uchhil, Kannada Pandit, Puranik Master and his favourite vegetable garden, Moraes Master and Hezel Teacher. Later, my education continued in St. Aloysius High School and Junior College in Mangalore where i was taught by some Jesuit priests and lay teachers. However, i did not have much interaction with the teachers there and though i can visualise some of the teachers who were very good in their profession.
Proceeding to Mumbai in search of livelihood after the Pre University Course in Mangalore and realising the value of education, i joined the KC College at Church-gate as morning college student in the intermediate class. It was due to the influence of the teachers of History, especially Prof. V. Mahadevan that i developed a special love and attachment for the subject which later became the subject in which i did my graduation, post-graduation and even research for Ph.D. degree. Prof. Mahadevan became my role model who guided me in various ways in shaping my teaching career.
Soon after graduation, i took up teaching profession in a high school in Mumbai and continued post-graduate study so that i could join any college as a lecturer. During this period a number of teachers from different colleges used to teach us as honorary lecturers along with few lecturers from the University Department of History. During this period, one teacher who impressed me most was Dr. A. Cherian, Head of the Department of History in Wilson College, Mumbai who used to take post graduate lectures. After acquiring the post-graduate degree, i started teaching career in a college in Goregaon and a year later moved to another college at Thane where i had the opportunity of serving for nearly 30 years.
Meanwhile, as i was keen to pursue research, i approached Dr. A. Cherian who agreed to accept me as his students for the Ph.D. degree though he had a number of other students. During five years that i spent as a research student, Dr. Cherian guided me with utmost care and sympathy. Whenever i had doubts about my ability to complete the research and write the thesis, he did encourage me and gave confidence that i will definitely complete the project. He was not only my guide but also a ‘father figure’, always considerate and helpful. It was chiefly due to his constant guidance that i was able to complete my research and secure the Ph.D. degree in 1986.
Dr. A. Cherian & Dr. Eugene D’Souza
Dr. Cherian had guided around 35 students for the Ph.D. degree, earlier through the Wilson College where he served as a professor and Head of the Department of History and later, after retirement from the Heras Institute of Ancient Indian History and Culture in St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai where he was always available for consultation and guidance. Though he was staying at Vasai, quite far off from Mumbai, he made it a point to come to St. Xavier’s College and meet his students. In the afternoon he would sit at his table in the University of Mumbai Library where he would meet his students and friends.
It was in 2000, Dr. Cherian suggested that i should apply to the University of Mumbai to be recognised as a guide for students pursuing the Ph.D. degree through St. Xavier’s College. By 2001, the University granted me the recognition as Ph.D. guide and enrolled few students through St. Xavier’s College out of whom four were awarded the Ph.D. degree by the University of Mumbai following their successful research by the time i retired from service as the principal of a college in Vikhroli. During this period i used to meet Dr. Cherian quite often at St. Xavier’s College where we would discuss on many issues and i learnt many useful things from him.
Since four to five years Dr. Cherian was not keeping good health and stopped visiting St. Xavier’s College. His health went on deteriorating. In between, before coming down to Moodubelle, i made it a point to visit him in Vasai five to six times. He was quite happy to meet me and would inquire about my health, family and what i was doing. Recently, on Wednesday, 25th August 2010, i was shocked to receive the sad news that my revered teacher, Dr. Cherian was no more. The years of my association with him as a students flashed across my mind like lightening. Dr. Cherian after fulfilling his duties towards his family and being the light to thousands of students passed in to eternity. When i look back, i will be missing one of the most revered teachers and a fine human being. May his soul rest in peace.
As the Teachers’ Day is just four days away, looking back to my student phase i consider myself fortunate of having been taught by many eminent teachers, some of whom have had a great impact on my life and career. As a teacher for nearly thirty three years, i had the good fortune of teaching and guiding a number of students among whom some have chosen the career of teaching in colleges and have been doing very well in their chosen profession.