An Idealist Portrait of the Teacher

Teachers are of all kinds and shades. But an idealist portrait of the teacher suggests that good teachers have some common qualities which may call upon all the other teachers to emulate these qualities of head and heart and thus leave an impact.

A good teacher has a natural talent for leading students towards learning. He/she is able to dream up fascinating learning activities for his students to engage in. He/she looks for the best in students and communicates clearly that each one has untold potential. The most expressive of all the types, a teacher is remarkably good with language, especially when communicating in speech, face to face. He likes things organised and is especially when trustworthy in honouring commitments. He is extraordinary tolerant of others and is easy to get along with. A typically ideal teacher is highly sensitive and intuitive. His insight into himself and others is unparalleled. He also identifies with others quite easily and slips almost unconsciously into other people skin. He feels connected with those around and thus shows interest in the joys and problems of their colleagues, students and loved ones.

All this….apart from his command on the subject he/she teaches, a high sense of general awareness, an optimistic outlook and a good sense of humour constitute the essential being of an ideal teacher.

Are We Happier Than Our Ancestors?

We are an outcome of our past, we are forged by it and thus our present shape and appearance has more to do with what our ancestors have given us. But one question yet remains to be answered “Are we happier than them?” My stance would be negative!

When we compare the two i.e., the ancient times with the modern times, we do see that we have made a lot of progress. What we have today in terms of material possessions, our ancestors could have not even dreamt of. They lived in pre-electrification days, they did not have automation, there were no computers, no telephones, no tractors for agriculture etc. Everything was done manually and because they probably had plenty of man-power to help them around. We are definitely happier due to material possessions and advancements our modern age has made. It takes only minutes to accomplish our work because of electricity. By using automobiles, trains and aeroplanes we can travel faster. Various kinds of mechanised tools and machines have increased productivity in agriculture. We can contact people living in any part of the world.

Our mind as modern people still is looking for more and more acquisitions. Greed, jealousy, discontent, ambition etc. have made our existence hollow and at no time can we call ourselves completely happy. Our ancestors were backward and did not know about such modern gadgets but they were content, amicable and less paranoid about acquisitions. I thus conclude that we are today more equipped than our ancestors but not as happy as they were. 

Why Gender Discrimination?

For ages, it has been a male dominated world. In the past, women were treated no better than slaves. They were denied all sorts of freedom and they had no rights.

No doubt, the conditions in the country appear to have changed to a large extent. The constitution of free India has given equal rights to woman thereby putting her at par with man socially, politically, economically. But women continue to be treated in many respects in the same old way, especially in rural areas. A girl in the family is still an unwanted burden and in some cases she is even denied the right to live. It has been both shocking and disturbing to that at some places; female infanticide is practised with no qualms whatsoever. Be it south or north of India, the gender discrimination is rampant all over. Very often she is discriminated against her more privileged brother at home; in school she is treated as ‘weak’ by her male classmates. As she grows older and goes out to work, she suffers discrimination and harassment of all kinds. In spite of all the so called ‘rights’ given to women, she is not free to go out alone after evening as the crimes against women have been consistently on the increase.

No country can progress if its women are not given their participation or are devalued in any way. There’s absolutely no reason why a ‘girl’ should be treated as inferior. It has to start right from birth. Urgent steps need to be taken to make parents and society aware of the equal importance of girls everywhere. Healthy public opinion must be created in the society against gender discrimination and all the undesirable activities that it gives birth to.

What is most required is required is compulsory education of girls so that they develop into self sufficient and self respecting individuals. Laws made to protect the rights of women must be implemented with honesty and efficiency. They should not simply stay on paper. If we want our country to grow and prosper, the females have to be  given their due place.