Time has come to acknowledge students' contribution in a teacher's life

Happy Birthday Piyali

Piyali, the "crazy most" student in my whole teaching life. Piyali knew how to win hearts with her lovely spirit. I was a new comer in my profession then. Almost everyday I used to notice a girl passing by me or standing somewhere on my passage. Somehow or not she drew my attention with her candid smile. Gradually I started caring for her though I was not allotted to take her class. Yes, unfortunate was me, that I was not assigned to Piyali's class. Strange enough, in spite of not attending my class, she accepted me as her teacher and bestowed unbound love for me. I could give her nothing but I received countless gifts from her. There was a time, when almost everyday, I used to find Piyali standing at any corner of our school with a gift in her hand. She hardly gave me any purchased gift, rather all her presentations were  hand-made. In return, I gave her my sole embarrassment but never could reject her. All those mementos are still with me. 

Oh! Piyali ! Do you remember those days? Yes, I was actually scared of you sometimes.

She was actually unpredictable. I never could guess what surprize would be waiting for me. I din't know what to do with that crazy girl. I scolded her, I rebuked her, I pleaded to her. But all my effort just resulted into a big smile that could defeat all anguish. Sometimes I felt like screamimg. But days passed and I got used to Piyali's childlike activities. That was Piyali; you could not but love her.

Now Piyali herself is an experienced school teacher. Today, when I look back and think about Piyali, a smile comes on my face automatically. Today is her birthday. I wish if she could sustain all her silliness, all her craziness and all her liveliness. Life teaches us to grow up. But growing up does not necessarily mean shedding off all our inonocence. 

Piyali, in those days, I used to tell you, "Piyali, dont do this. Dont do that. Grow up. You are almost 18. Act matured. " But after this long 15 years I want to tell you one truth. The child within us should always be alive in any of the hidden corners of our hearts. Keep that child alive in you forever. And for me? You would always be that lovely, crazy, childlike little girl. Happy Birthday my dear. Wish you a happy life full of smile.

N.B. The shawl I am wearing in this picture is again a creative gift from Piyali.

Teaching is bonding

Teaching sessions get over one day but the bonding created lasts for ever.

The word "Class" does not mean some table-chair-benches set up and an overburdening syllabus; a talking machine named teacher and some dumb listeners named students. Class means life. For a teacher, a class means seeing some young faces, full of vibrant life, sitting everyday in front of her. 

For me, teaching is love; teaching is bonding.

Pronita came to me most probably in 1999 which means almost 22 years. And strange enough, for this long 22 years she never made me feel that I am no  more her teacher. Yes, I love Pronita. but its not at all my credit that I love her. It is almost impossible to meet Pronita and not to love. Yes, she has that power of winning hearts. 

I hardly remember what I taught her or whether could teach anything at all. What I remember is her crazy love for me. Pronita always filled me with unbound love. I gave her almost nothing in return. We meet once in almost 10 years. Still we are friends, still we are sisters. We don't meet but we do believe that we are there for us to trust, to support and to love. 

Love you Pronita. Never forget to smile. Smile is your power. Be more powerful everyday.