The News Minute Editorial| September 2, 2014| 6.16 pm IST
We at The News Minute (TNM) wish to make our contribution to Teachers’ day discussion which just got hijacked by Smriti Irani, India’s union minister in charge of education. She has asked that schools telecast the Prime Minister’s address to schools. Many believe there is nothing wrong in a PM addressing students. Well, the story doesn’t end there. Now several state Chief Ministers have pitched in saying they will also add their might through speeches that precede the national telecast. We let you imagine the rest.
We asked a few children (age group 5-10) around us what they would like to do on a day that is dedicated to their teachers, which teacher is their favourite and how would they celebrate it. Most of them stuck their tongue out, some giggled and yet others were clueless as little children are when asked such lofty questions. Why does the simplest of things turn so controversial?
Since parents, teachers and children (the most affected) have no say in the matter and New Delhi has gone from calling it an order to an advisory, last heard, we think there will be a lot of tummy upsets and tantrums on Friday and the older ones will bunk school to catch the Friday Bollywood release. Not because they disrespect their teachers, but because the whole idea of children listening to politicians in the scorching sun or rain is a badly thought-through idea. And let’s face it –most politicians in India are not role models. Many are venal and corrupt. The children see this, know this, face this and feel it, their parents and friends talk about it – it is India’s best kept secret.
Everyone who matters has given an opinion about Teachers’ day, some supporting, some opposing. For a minute, imagine you are a eight year old studying in third standard. You spend many minutes or maximum two hours in the morning listening to your state Chief Minister, then wait for the PM’s speech in the evening. What fun!
Teachers’ day (September 5th) used to be fun. No one paid any attention to anything, some speeches, some songs and then lots of food and good natured fun. It is now being suggested that the day be turned into a national essay writing competition where children can write about the person who influenced them the most – a guru, for example. We predict some winners - Rajinikanth/Amma in Tamil Nadu, Bill Gates in Karnataka, NarendraModi in Gujarat and nail-biting suspense in New Delhi.
We also expect a lot of controversies about who the father, mother, aunt and cousin of the nation is and a full-sledged war between the UPA and the NDA about legacy and history. And all this will be encouraged in the name of children who have nothing to do with it.
If anything, this frenzy to teach everything about India and Indian culture between Monday and Tuesday is unhelpful. It might even boomerang and that is not what any guru – one who removes darkness – would want.