my thoughts

At the outset, I would like to take you back in time. It is the evening of 23 March 2020 and all were anxiously waiting for Prime Minister’s address to the nation. Most of the school going children were not into the discussion of what was likely to come. They all had their plans for coming days, ranging from activities like meeting friends, preparing for a mock-test at the coaching centres,   a friend’s birthday celebration, family function, watching a movie in the multiplex, shopping etc. The same evening all their programs are put to rest as the Prime Minister announced a nationwide Lockdown 1.0 lasting for the next 21 days in the wake of the global pandemic Covid-19( which was later extended three times). It is not that only children got affected by the lockdown but everyone from government to all the citizens. For the first few days most of us thought it as an opportunity to stay home, away from work place. After a few days we realised that life had come...

“Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” Today, we enter a new month but the future remains uncertain. As the second phase of lockdown nears its culmination in India, the government along with the corona warriors such as dedicated medical teams, police system, NGOs, banking sector and those in other essential services, continue to work at the front foot. We salute their commitment and bravery. It’s rightly said that when the going gets tough the tough gets going. One such tough and yet most humble and significant section of dedicated contributors is somehow not being acknowledged as far as I have observed. In many of my previous articles, I have elaborately discussed the role of a teacher. This guide, facilitator, counselor is quietly and patiently shouldering a dual responsibility in this testing time. During the month gone by, I have received a lot of feedback from parents and students appreciating the efforts of teachers an...