The teacher is a beacon that lights the lamp of knowledge, ignites a ray of hope and inspires his students to go beyond him. He motivates them to see what he has not seen and what he has not achieved. He leads his students by setting an example on how to live. The teacher can see and enhance the “best” in his students and the strength to destroy anything that is not good.
One of such rare teachers was Mr Appaji, the Headmaster of a Government Primary School in the ’70s. He was a living epitome of hard work, determination and punctuality. He never used to wait for guidance or grant from the government to introduce anything innovative to his students. He would spend his own money, time and energy to bring new methods to his classroom. His beautiful, handmade, hand-written charts stood on the walls of the Government School, as an example of his love for teaching, long after his retirement.
Appaji master had a unique way of teaching. He taught languages phonetically, which is a common practice of the Montessori Method. The science and social science textbooks had no place in his classroom. He was the textbook. His narration of the Hoysala Dynasty stories, Vidyaranya, Prithviraj-Padmini, Shibi, Bali, Rama, Krishna, Arjuna, Eklavya Shravana, Druva, Kabir, Tenali Rama and Birbal, would spellbind his students. He was a great orator. The resonance in his voice would enthral the listeners. One could enjoy his lessons standing outside his classroom. His rich voice of “Saavdhaan” was unique and would make his pupils quiet and look forward to further directions. He laid a firm foundation for moral values and spirituality by explaining and reciting Shlokas and mantras, a part of the school’s routine.
Appaji master also cultivated a reading habit among his students when children’s books were scarce. He encouraged them to use the small library on Sundays while he was busy with his office work.
The teacher’s greatness could be summarized in the words of Kabir that, if Guru and God both were to appear before him, he would bow to his Guru first, for he was the one who introduced God to him. My Appaji master was such a teacher that I bow to him first, for he is the one who showed the way of life.
………..Guru Saakshat Parabrahma
Tasmaishree Guruve Namaha!
