“We love you…Teachers” was the theme that the students chose to celebrate here at Bosco Bosco Home & Technical Training Institute, Borivali – Mumbai. The day started with welcoming and greeting the teachers with bouquets and cards from their students in their respective classes (Hotel Management, Technical, and NIOS). They began the meticulous preparation way back and diligently practised during the last few days. The program was rich with culture and tradition.
The universally accepted World Teacher’s Day is 5th October. In India, the Teacher’s Day is celebrated on 5th September as a ‘token of gratitude’ for all the teachers. In tune with this, the boys of Bosco Boys Home and the students of the Technical Institute, Borivali articulated their gratitude and appreciation for their affectionate teachers on this auspicious day by celebrating the Teacher’s Day. Followed by the welcome; the teachers spend quality time talking and sharing their vocation as a teacher with their students. We had the management and the teachers having a sumptuous lunch prepared by the hotel management students in which Fr Corlis Gonsalves sdb, the director prayed the grace before meals as well as raised the toast in thanking the teachers for their time, availability, sacrifice, and above their hard work with commitment.
In the afternoon, 137 students of the Technical Institute along with the 82 residential Shelter boys took part in a cultural program felicitating their teachers and management. The students had prepared a very ‘beautiful and creative backdrop’ with the caption “We love you… Teachers.” The students welcomed their ‘Sirs and Teachers’ with ‘Tikka’ invoking a beautiful aspect of our Indian culture. The program was inaugurated by lighting of lamp by teachers from each sector along with the Principal Dn. Xavier Bandya sdb after which he gave the words of welcome to the gathering and also declared the program open. The program began with the prayer dance performed by the girls of Hotel Management and GDA – Nursing students. A Prayer service during which the role of the teacher as mentioned in the different scriptures was read and explained. Thereafter, explaining the key role of Teachers in shaping the lives of students. They highlighted the importance of ‘Teacher’s day and its rich history.’
The felicitation program began with the students of the Electrical department singing the song in hindi – ‘We love you – teachers.’ The students of the Hotel Management presented a kholi dance to the tune of “me ahe kholi…” In the speech Master Durgesh elaborated on the history and the significance of this day “If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher.” This illustrious statement of India’s missile man, Lt. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam is still resonating in the minds of every person. The quote epitomizes the influence of teachers on every individual’s mind and society as a whole. He highlighted the fact that all learning is through a teacher and a mentor. The Bosco boys sang the melodious song ‘You raise me up’ (2003 – album Closer) by Josh Groban thanking the teachers for helping them to grow and glow in life.
A fusion dance performance was also put by the boys on the song, ‘Malhari’ from the movie Bajirao Mastani (2015). The students really made this day a memorable one for the teachers. The students took enormous effort to make sure that teachers enjoy every minute of this event. To culminate the program, the students had a Fashion Parade Show to introduce themselves and know each other as one family. At the end of the program, the teachers entertained the audience with a surprise song thanking the students for being a precious part of their life which was well appreciated with claps and whistles by the passionate crowd.
The vote of thanks was given by Sir William Sequeria and in his talk, he highlighted that “Teachers are the real shapers of the future and building blocks of the country. They shape the student life who are ultimately the future of our country. Teachers are the nation-builders by building the future of citizens living in the country.” In his brief talk he also spoke on Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (the great teacher, academic philosopher an excellent educationist, a true humanist, and India’s Second President 1962-1967) has indeed been a beacon, paving and showing the way to the teachers, who can bring about a positive change in a nation with just the right mixture of chalk and challenges. Since 1962, India has been celebrating Teacher’s Day on 5th September as a symbol of tribute and honour to the contribution made by teachers to the society. Every student celebrates this day to encourage and support the contribution of his or her teacher.
After the program, the students served all the staff and management with’ ‘masala chai’ and ‘hot patties.’ Salim Shiekh one of the student said, “Teaching is the most influential job in the world. Teachers are known to shape the mind of youth and without knowledge, no one can exist in this world. The teacher imparts good values in children and turns them into responsible citizens. So, almost every country celebrates Teacher’s Day.”
In addition to a cultural program, the highlight of the event was felicitation of the teachers. Boys took the initiative to introduce their teachers and explained what made them special. Most students offered gifts like greeting cards, flowers, chocolates, pens, showpieces, books, etc. to their teachers. A gift reflects the love and respect for the teachers by their students. Each one of us has been a student at some point in our lives; therefore Teachers’ Day should be celebrated by all of us and not just the teachers and students alone.
On the occasion of Teacher’s day, they are still remembered; giving them immense happiness and appreciating them for all that they did for them. The day holds great importance for students and teachers and is marked with revelry and different programs. The objective is to remember and remind the crucial role teacher’s play in molding students’ lives and careers. In the end, all teachers were appreciated by management with a small gift as a ‘token of love and gratitude.’ The day marks as a day of gratitude and respect to the selfless efforts of teachers.
