My Mom, The best teacher

Happy Teacher’s Day has such a jolly ring to it. I have such fond memories of this day. My school/college days, Mom’s school days and as a teacher, and now, Vidur’s.I remember, the older students would dress as teachers on Sept 5, while teachers conducted the school assembly programs. We’d run around giving our favorite teachers flowers and greeting cards. Some even went so far as to get them gifts. Vidur also went through all that, but now in high school, restricts it to personally wishing them. Moreover, this year, it is rather low key as they have their exams starting next Monday and still working at completing the syllabus for the exams.My Mom would plan ahead about which saree to wear on this special day. Sometimes, we would get a new saree, and I would sit up late at night to stitch its fall  (A saree fall is a length of matching fabric around 5 inches wide sown on to the bottom inside edge of the saree. It helps the saree “fall” well when draped. My grandma would keep telling us to go to bed but we’d stay awake late into the night. And be up the next morning, all bright and shiny, eager to get on with our respective days. Then later in the evening, Mom would come back from school and regale us with all the fun stuff and so would I. She as a teacher, and I as a student.

I actually shared one Teacher’s Day with her back in 1983, when I worked with her in her school as a temporary teacher as one of her colleagues had to take three months off to prepare for, and write a series of exams. I was class teacher for the Upper KinderGarten class.  What sweet kids! I wish I had had a camera those days! Those wonderful memories are all in my head to share with my Vidur, who loves storytime.

My Mom and I went to the same school – I studied at the same school as she did. Her teacher was my class teacher in Std. IV. This wonderful teacher, Mrs.Kumud, was also my Godmother and guardian later in life

Years later, after I got a job and life went on, I would still be eager to listen to school stories. Mom was quite the star at all her school events, and the natural choice as the compere. She had a glorious teaching career. Even after she had that terrible fall at school in 1995 she insisted on starting spoken English classes at home.

Today, I remember my Mom with love, respect and admiration. Because she is the best teacher in the whole world. Love you, Mom!

Devi – Best Teacher In the Whole World

From Wikipedia: About Teacher’s Day in India
“It is the birthday [5 September 1888 ],of the second President of India, academic philosopher Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. It is considered a “celebration” day, where teachers and students report to school as usual but the usual activities and classes are replaced by activities of celebration, thanks and remembrance. At some schools on this day, the responsibility of teaching is taken up by the senior students to show appreciation for their teachers.”