Happy Teacher's Day

From the first day of school to the end of our academic education - we all learn from many different teachers.

However, there are a few who cling to our memory for the rest of our life.
Because they take personal interest and responsibility in our progress.

The teacher is a candle that burns itself and gives light to others.

Teachers help build the characteristics of an individual, a society, and a nation.
They take the hands of the students, opens their minds, and touches their hearts.
Such heartful teachers become role models for the students.

The great Gurus - the good teachers don't simply teach -
They plant the seeds of knowledge in the minds of their disciples and students that last a lifetime.
They guide and support us personally at every step to understand - to apprehend the subject thoroughly and inspire us to improve and rise to such heights where the sky is the limit.

Find a great teacher - a Guru - who will help you personally - by guiding you at each step of your life on a personal level - answering all your questions and removing any doubts that you might have.
A Proficient and experienced teacher will never tell you to stop asking questions - to stay quiet or be withdrawn and believe every word without any doubt whatsoever.
Good teachers will always encourage you to ask questions until you are fully satisfied.
Because the teachers who are indeed wise, do not advise you to enter the house of their wisdom. They lead you to the threshold of your own mind.

Great Gurus and Good teachers encourage their students to become as knowledgeable as them or even better than them.
Real Gurus or Good teachers never become jealous of their students.
In fact, they feel proud of their students if they rise and become even better than the teachers.

There is a beautiful prayer in Yajur Veda - also found in Taittarey, Mandukya, and Shvetashvatara Upanishads - which explains the beautiful relationship between the Guru and the Shishya - the teacher and the disciple.
It says: 
         ॐ सह नाववतु - सह नौ भुनक्तु - सह वीर्यं करवावहै
               तेजस्विनावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै
                ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः
               Om Seh Nau-Avatu Seh Nau Bhunaktu
               Seh Veeryam Karavaavahai
Tejasvi Naav-Adhiitam-Astu Maa Vidvishaavahai

Meaning:May the Brahman (Almighty Lord) protect us both (Teacher & Disciple);
May He nourish us both;
May we both work in harmony with great vigor;
May our study be illuminating and fruitful;
May we - Guru and Shishya - the teacher and disciple - never be jealous of each other.

An awe-inspiring teacher is hard to find, difficult to part with, and impossible to forget.
I was fortunate to have a few such great teachers in my life - who not only helped me in my professional carrier as a teacher - but helped me in every sphere of my life - to broaden my horizons - to remove the walls of narrowmindedness - to get out of the limited confined space and become open and broad-minded and think universally.

My salutations and attributes to all my such teachers - my Gurus, who helped me personally to reach where I am - to be what I am today.
I am especially indebted to Bhapa Ram Chand Ji Kapurthala and Sant Amar Singh Ji Patiala - along with a few others, for awakening and reviving my spiritual interests. They personally helped, encouraged, supported, and guided me to walk on the path of my Spiritual journey - step by step - on each step, as well as to admire the good qualities in everyone - even in the rivals and opponents.
And in my professional field - I am so grateful to Professor D S Narula, (Punjab), Pandit Vacahaspati ji (Jammu-Kashmir) - and Aaftaab-e-Sitar Ustad Vilayat Khan Sahib who taught me the universal and spiritual side of Sangeet (music).
At the same time, I will always be indebted to my parents - especially my mother and grandmother.

Being a teacher is the highest privilege - and having a great teacher is the best blessing.
In fact, if there were no teachers, all other professions would not even exist.
                                            ' Rajan Sachdeva '