The Teacher who inspires

On October 2018, I got an opportunity to meet with Mrs Amarjit Dhaliwal, the Principal of GMT International Public School, Kakowal Road, Ludhiana. I had already sent my resume via email a day before my visit to the school and my appointment with Ma'am was also fixed. Till then, I heard a lot about Dhaliwal Ma'am and her administrative skills from Narinder Ma'am, Sharanjeet Ma'am, Rajesh Sir and Aman Singla Sir. I was quite nervous at that moment because the image which I had made about Ma'am was like someone who is very strict. Though nervous, I was, still, I went into the office. Rajesh Sir was also there during the interview. She was reading something at that moment and I sought permission from her to come in. 

She replied, "Come in Sudhir, we were waiting for you." 

I felt perplexed if I was late! Perhaps that's why she said that to me satirically. 

But thanks to God, it wasn't that. Then she just asked me about my hobbies and the things which I liked a lot. I replied that I am having a passion for teaching and seeking for an institute where I can get the best environment to explore my potential. She said firmly to me that I would be given the best environment in the school. 

Within two days, I realized that the discipline part of the school is excellent. Students are very obedient and they respect their teachers. This is what I want.

One more thing which she told me during the interview, she said, "Sudhir, we have to focus on our Karmas only and leave the rest in the will of God." Even now, the line inspires me to endeavour to be dutiful. Not only this specific incident rather there are number of incidents when she guided and inspired me like a teacher.

It was the mid of the session 2019-20. In class XII, English, we had some new chapters introduced in our syllabus and I was feeling some difficulty to create my interest in the chapter, 'Poets and Pancakes.' 

Next day I told her honestly that I couldn't create interest in that chapter. She just looked at me and replied, "It is a very easy chapter Sudhir. It is all about Gemini studio, makeup artists; their hierarchy according to the actors working in the movie, Kothamangalam Subbu; the right hand of S.S Vasan, the visit of Stephen Spender in the studio and the reason why he visited there." Within 15 minutes, she just described me everything mentioned in the text! Not only this, she also gave me a wider opinion about the text by telling me about Communism and how the Owner of Gemini Studio, S.S Vasan and Stephen Spender, the poet were having the same opinion against communism. 

She also told me about the book, 'The God that Failed' which refers to a collection of essays by six authors who wrote about their journey into Communism to disillusionment and Stephen Spender was one of them.

The examples she gave then, I always quote in my class. 

Today is 'Teachers' Day', and this is just my small endeavour to say thanks to her for being such a great teacher!