Teachers are the nation builders. They shape the minds of future citizens. It is because of them that we stand on a pedestal and proudly claim to be a doctor,engineer, defence personnel, pilot, accountant, architect, designer, or for that matter, even a home maker.

Here, I am explicitly referring to  'school teachers' because it is they who are the foundation stones of any career and it is holding their fingers that we learn to balance our steps and move ahead in life.

In Ancient India, Teachers adorned the courts of kings and they were revered a lot.Students like Eklavya were ready to cut off their thumbs and give it in guru dakshina. This was the highest form of respect shown to a teacher. But alas! it is a great irony that in the very same country the teachers are being slammed shamelessly for their selfless services; they are being forced to come to the streets to protest against the violation of their rights.

In this country when a celebrity dies or commits suicide, the whole country gets shaken up,without realizing  the bitter truth that the person  had received lots of bounties from God and it was his hard luck that he was not able to enjoy his fortunes. Everyone is sympathetic for his cause; everyone is busy applauding and commemorating the health workers and other caretakers and service providers forgetting the educators who had lpayed an important role in to moulding them to their current performance and due to whose dedication to their profession they stand where they are. Empathy for educators has diminshed over the years and is probably at the lowest rung of respect presently.

In these trying times, when everyone is working from home and getting paid for their work, then why are TEACHERS being discriminated and discredited for their services.  Are they not the part of the same society? Parents are probably not seeing the right perspective and, in the process deceiving the entire system. They are directly or indirectly hurting the morale of the Gurus who are working day in and day out to shape the lives of their children. However, they do not realize that it is they whom TIME might cheat.

My earnest appeal to the educated mass of the society - don't discourage teachers and educational organizations who are helping your child to learn better even in this crucial time of the pandemic. When you are sleeping or watching TV, they are preparing lessons to teach your child, while at the same time juggling with looking after their families - they are playing a dual role, of a parent and a teacher.

Respect teachers and the teaching profession.

The author, Shahnaz Amar is an English language teacher at St Gregorios School, Udaipur. The views expressed are of the author alone.

The image has been used for representation purposes only.