From the desk of editor

Volume 1 Issue 4 October, 2011

September is a memorable month in Indian calendar wherein we celebrate Teachers Day. As we know Doctor means “to teach”. As doctors, we are not sure where a hand of healer ends and role of teacher begins. A Teacher may not be the one who just taught us “What to learn?” But also “How to live?”. Over a period of time we may join teaching hospitals and then some of us may reflect upon, what does it mean to be a teacher? What is the “Responsibility of Teacher?”. In search of the answers, we wrote to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India who inspired millions, and he obliged with an exclusive article to MINDS Newsletter which is reproduced here unedited. – Dr. Kishor .M

From: Abdulkalam APJ apj@abdulkalam.com Date: Wed, Sep 21, 2011 at 1:18 PM
To: editor mind editormind@gmail.com
Dear Doctor,
Thank you for your mail. I have met many teachers who have become a role model to their students. I asked them, what was the secret of their success? They told me the following:

a) They have been able to adopt themselves to the age of the student.
b) As a teacher, they make sure that they take two to three classes per day.
c) They practice everything they expect the students to do. Their real life itself is a message to the students.
d) They ensure transparency in all their transactions and treat all students alike, irrespective of their religion, caste, language and economic status.
e) They have a foresight and they visualize the student’s growth in long term perspective.

Based on my association with teachers, I have designed an eleven point oath which brings out the responsibilities of a great teacher.

Eleven Point Oath for Teachers

1. First and foremost, I will love teaching. Teaching will be my soul.
2. I realize that I am responsible for shaping not just students but ignited youths who are the most powerful resource under the earth, on the earth and above the earth. I will be fully committed for the great mission of teaching.
3. I will consider myself to be a great teacher for I can lift the average to the best performance by way of my special teaching.
4. All my actions with my students will be with kindness and affection like a mother, sister, father or brother.
5. I will organize and conduct my life, in such a way that my life itself is a message for my students.
6. I will encourage my students to ask questions and develop the spirit of enquiry, so that they blossom into creative enlightened citizens.
7. I will treat all the students equally and will not support any differentiation on account of religion, community or language.
8. I will continuously build the capacities in teaching so that I can impart quality education to my students.
9. I will celebrate the success of my students, with great élan.
10. I realize by being a teacher, I am making an important contribution to all the national development initiatives.
11. I will constantly Endeavour to fill my mind, with great thoughts and spread the nobility in thinking and action.