Teachers are Sculptors

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The world’s noblest profession but the most undervalued, thankless profession is that of teachers.

If you have ever reflected seriously on the role of a teacher and his/her influence in shaping your life, you will find this book both inspiring and enlightening.

True, we have come a long way from our ancient tradition which held the teacher as an exemplar, a rolr-model, guru and mentor; but Dada J.P. Vaswani tells us how the teacher can still be a force to reckon with today, in the spiritual, intellectual and emotional unfolding of the students. Inspired by the insights of his Master, Sadhu Vaswani, who was himself a great educationist and vastly admired and revered Professor and Principal, Dada J.P. Vaswani reveals new facets of the ideal teacher; a lamp-lighter, a sculptor, a builder, a moulder and shaper of the Spirit, a gardener who cultivates character, a torch-bearer and transmitter of values and ideals, and above all – a friend.

Dada’s profound observations are all the more valuable, coming as they do from an ideal, top-ranking, award-winning star student who turned out to be a much loved and respected teacher and one of Indian’s foremost spiritual leaders.

Turn the pages of this book and get a few glimpses of Dada’s memorable portrait of an ideal teacher.

I hope you won’t take it amiss that I am writing a book specially for teachers, and choose to address you as fellow-students.

My beloved Master, Sadhu Vaswani, once said to me: ‘’Always remain students.’’ I have kept this teaching close to my heart; and the day on which I have not learnt something new, I regard as a lost day indeed.

Like all of you, I have passed through the hands of many teachers, from the kindergarten class to post graduation. In the lower classes we had just one teacher – our class teacher – who taught us all the subjects. As we grow up, subjects experts take over, and we have Science Teachers, Math’s Teachers, History Teachers and English Teachers. In college, there are Professors, Lectures, Tutors and Demonstrators… everyone has to have several teachers – but we remember only a few, while others are forgotten. Even their names are forgotten. Have you ever wondered why this is so?

If you have studied under a teacher whom you still remember with love, affection and reverence, you are truly blessed.

And if you are a teacher who has had such an impact on a student that he/she remembers you for years after his/her education is completed, then you are truly blessed.

I recall a moving incident in the life of the great American author, Jemes Michener. He was once invited to be a guest at a banquet hosted by president Dwight Eisenhower at the white house – a great privilege for any American.

James Michener declined the invitation with regret. In his letter to the President, he explained, ‘’A wonderful teacher who taught me how to write is being honored on the same day, at the same time… our will not miss me at your banquet, Mr. President, but she might, at hers.