An ode to those who shape the minds of tomorrow – Teacher's Day

The former President of India, Dr. Abdul Kalam once said, "Teaching is a very noble profession that shapes the character, caliber, and future of an individual." Truer words on teaching have perhaps not been spoken. Though to be fair, teaching is more than a simple profession. Teachers do more than just a job. They are deeply involved in the bringing up of a child. If it takes a village to raise a child, then teachers make up a bulk of that village. Parents may help us take our first steps but it is teachers who help us find our wings.

Teachers can end up impacting their students for an entire lifetime. They shape the course of students' academics, influencing their careers and ultimately, their entire lives. The psychological impact too cannot be underestimated. We've all known teachers who were terrors and teachers who were the sweetest in the world. Many of us form lifelong friendships with our teachers. It's no wonder that the entire world celebrates their role in our lives.

The idea of Teacher's Day itself is a relatively modern one, taking root in many countries in the 19th century. However it took like wildfire and spread quite far and quick. Worldwide, there are several Teacher's Days. In fact, come to think of it, there is most probably at least one Teacher's Day somewhere in the world every week. Many of these Teacher's Days celebrate a native educator or an important milestone in education.

In India however, Teacher's Day is an annual event that falls on the 5th of September. This date is commemoration of the birthday of the country's second President, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He was an eminent scholar and one of India's most distinguished scholars of comparative religion and philosophy. In his lifetime, he served as the professor of Philosophy at the University of Mysore, the King George V Chair of Mental and Moral Science at the University of Calcutta and the Spalding Professor of Eastern Religion and Ethics at the University of Oxford.

Celebrating this honourable profession is important for a country full of parents obsessed with their child becoming a doctor or an engineer. We are a young nation and need great teachers to transform the youth into a powerful force that can drive the country into the future. Days like this help cement the importance of teachers and inspire more people around the country to take up the profession and start shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

It would not be unfair to say that teachers are almost superhuman individuals capable of producing miracles every day. And we can all give a day to honour these superheroes. Delhi Airport too completely supports this momentous celebration.