Thank you, Dear Teachers

Its Teachers day in India. I am sure, in every Indian student, somehow this day would be itched in his/her memory. Teacher’s day memories are evergreen and even make me nostalgic. Until I entered into pre-university, Sept 5^th, was one of those days, which I really enjoyed every bit of it. Right from primary school education, until now, I have had some dedicated and inspiring teachers/mentors, who have left great impression on me and helped me evolve both personally and professionally.

In school days, we really looked forward for teachers’ day, (It was the day to impress your beloved teacher too…...). I used to plead with my mother to give me some rupees, so that I can buy rose for my teachers. We students used to plan already weeks before, how to prepare the greeting cards, who makes the embroidery on it, who writes the poems etc. The day previous to the Teachers’ day, we spent hours decorating the blackboards and staff room. Preparation for those skits, dances ,games and thanks giving speeches for teachers, was just so much of fun. (In every school, there are few teachers who are favorite of all the students. So there was a hidden fight in between the students too, to give rose and gifts to her in person:)

I was very much dependent on my teachers for lessons and as well for moral support during my tween to teenage period. They not only taught (and also punished for being a trouble maker in the class:) ,but instilled hope, dreams and confidence in me. Be it be developing passion for Kannada literature or science or venturing into different activities, like Trekking, photography, journalism etc etc, they encouraged me in everything. They may not be aware of their influence on me, but as I look back, my heart gets filled with admiration and thankfulness for them.

So, my dear teachers and mentors, thank you very much. Your timely help , encouragement and influence on me is everlasting.

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"Maatru devo bhava, Pithru devo bhava, Guru devo bhava"

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." - William Arthur Ward (Literally holds good for our great ex-president Dr.Kalam. His "Wings of fire" ,"Ignited minds" of thousands of students)

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Barack, you really rock !!!

Armstrong........(Tholbala wins ???)

Armstrong………..last couple of days, media was full of this name. Armstrong, does it ring a bell??? I knew of two Armstrongs, separately, but never tried to link them. I admired both of them. Guess who… Neils Armstrong and Lance Armstrong. One who walked for the first time on moon, on july 20th, 1969 and the other who won Tour de France – a cycle racing event for 7 consecutive years. One who inspired to look beyond the horizon and the other, inspired to look into the eyes of death and still win over it.

One ignited scientific spirit by saying “That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind” and the other stood as a symbol of human spirit and said, ““Anything is possible. You can be told that you have a 90-percent chance or a 50-percent chance or a 1-percent chance, but you have to believe, and you have to fight”.

We hear about amazing achievers all the time. Sometimes it’s funny and also delightful to recall when and where we heard of them for the first time. You come across Niels Armstrong in every textbook, so did I. But Lance Armstrong…. that I came across in my friends place. She had this book “It's Not About The Bike: My Journey Back To Life - by Lance Armstrong”. I heard about him, read about him, got inspired and later even gifted the book to my younger sister who is one another inspirational figure.

Lance was the National amateur cycling champion at the age of 20. His career was shining, looking bright, till one day, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, cutting his career and may be even life. But still he survived and won over death. But the road to victory has not been smooth, which makes his story all the more compelling. Cancer had spread to his lungs, abdomen and brain. He underwent surgery for his brain tumours and had less than 50% chance of survival. But he came back like a Phoenix and won prestigious Tour de France for seven consecutive years from 1999-2005!!!. He is the only person to achieve it.

Even though he couldn’t win Tour de France this year, he continues to inspire many millions and me. His foundation (www.livestrong.org) unites, inspires and empowers the cancer-affected people. He declared himself not a cancer victim but a cancer survivor.

Bravo !!!