WHAT IS WOVEN INTO THE LIVES OF OTHERS


 


“Our fingerprints don’t fade from the lives we touch.”

 Judy Blume

 

A close relative of mine worked as a school teacher for all her working life and retired a few years ago. As the financial situation at home demanded, she tutored several students at home after her school hours including on Sundays. Her husband, who worked at the Docks, had to work through all the three shifts till he, too, retired some years ago. Their two children got highly educated and well-placed in life. It was only after their children got well-settled in life, the retired relatives of mine began to travel both inside and outside the country...

My relative, the retired teacher, loved my Blogs. She would, always, ask me in amazement: “How do you write so beautifully, and how do you find new stories for your every new Blog?” She would add, “I have taught hundreds of students through my teaching career; but, I haven’t been able to do what you have been doing through your writings (besides your teaching).”

I had to help my relative to see things in perspective. I said:

“It’s not necessary for a teacher to make impact on his students only through his writings... Every teacher has something special in him/her through which students connect... It could be through dance, singing, drawing, photography, storytelling, technology, communication, compassion and empathy, and several other glues. Unknowingly, you have done it through your own special glue.. Trust me, you have.”





Some months ago, many of us learnt about this young and vivacious woman by the name Rouble Nagi, when she had won the coveted prize – ‘World’s Best Teacher’ (It carried a prize money of one-million US-dollars, which’s about nine-crore rupees). It was awarded by the Crown Prince of Dubai for her exemplary work in India’s slums. Rouble Nagi used art as a medium to attract slum kids; and, so far, she has touched more than fifteen-lakh slum children through her unique initiative.

I remember what my relative, in all her sincerity, had said to me:

“I haven’t been able to do what you have been doing through your writings.”

Should I say the same thing to Rouble Nagi: “I haven’t been able to do what you been doing as a teacher?”





Every teacher leaves an impact on his/her students. My relative did it in her own special way, not in my way, or Rouble Nagi’s way...

If we have taught our students with love, care and dedication  to help them aspire for a better life, become confident and sensitive human beings – yes, I think, that is a million-dollar award in itself. The words of Greek statesman, Pericles (who lived nearly 500 years before Christ) come to comfort each teacher:

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved 

in stone monuments,

but what is woven into the lives of others.”

 

GERALD D’CUNHA


Pics.: 1. pixaba.com  2. clipart-library.com

Videoes: 1. Curly Tales  2. Sansad TV

 

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