In this age of innovation, we have new teachers among us. Ram Krishna pays tribute to the new teachers, on the occasion of the Teachers’ Day. An exclusive for Different Truths.

Going by the traditional definition of a teacher, as a profession, we have different categories of teachers. Depending upon our stages in life and also vocations we pursue, we have school teachers, lecturers, professors, research guides, trainers, instructors, tutors, coaches, mentors.

We have another set of teachers, who though not qualified as a teacher in the strict sense, yet impart valuable lessons. The most important amongst them are parents. The foundations of intellectual, emotional and ethical grooming in a child take place at home by parents. In a joint family, even grandparents play their positive roles as guides. Again, at workplaces, bosses, seniors, corporate leaders are another class. Equipped with knowledge, skills, expertise and experience, they often act as advisor, counsellor or mentor, and help their juniors and colleagues progress in their careers. Then, we have religious/spiritual gurus who preach from scriptures and holy texts and offer sermons to their disciples and others on how to lead a life well.

Interestingly, there are some novel kind of teachers amid us now who are getting all the attention and appreciation. Let us discuss them.

Children: In the digital age it is important to be familiar with new-age systems, processes and apps. Be it a smartphone, internet, video-conferencing/chatting, video games and other modern gadgets, we need to learn their operations to use them. These learnings help in activities like money transfer, booking tickets, ordering food or non-food items, or viewing streaming channels, all of which are now increasingly done online. In adaptation to new learnings, age being a factor, young children have a distinct edge. They quickly adapt and learn. Their aptitude, familiarity and knowledge of the digital and online platforms are now much in demand at home, all the more in the lockdown. As digital tutors, they are offering sweet lessons to their grandparents, parents and senior citizens to make them digital-savvy. Indeed, without their hand-holding, many of the older generations find themselves handicapped in adjusting to the virtual space.

Social Media: We have always been used to learning “Do’s and Don’ts” from the traditional set of teachers, professional or otherwise. Now WhatsApp, Facebook etc. are potent platforms where we get free advice on topics ranging from money, health, nutrition, fitness, to culinary arts, home décor, farming to even immunity-boosting during the pandemic. The medium being popular, all these tips and learnings are widely read, shared and followed. Social media platform, as a teacher, is helping us to learn and share information. The only caveat is, the tips or instructions, need to be followed by us with fact-checks, particularly in the matter of health.                                               

Alexa: Digital Voice Assistant like Alexa is a new digital entrant. Like a friend, kids can, unhesitatingly, ask anything they want to know from Alexa. Not surprising, the device is being installed even in remote tribal areas to infuse fun and excitement in learning and thereby also improve school enrolments. In this smart classroom, Alexa acts as their teacher. In future, such devices and AI-assisted humanoid robots, as smart, interesting and trendy teachers, are likely to gain more popularity among children and schools.

Nature: Nature has always been part of our existence. But looking at nature as “healer” and “teacher” may not have occurred to us at all till recently. With the adverse climate change facing us, coupled with the Covid-19 pandemic, we are realising the hard way the critical importance of Nature as our sustainer, healer and teacher. In the collective confinement, we found to our great relief how nature is our constant friend and can lift our hearts and give so much joy. It would indeed have been much tougher to deal with the pandemic, hadn’t nature been around us.

Nature teaches us on rhythms and cycles of life, selfless giving, continuous growth and generation, and essence of sustainability, harmony, and oneness. It also offers us a vital lesson to consume wisely and responsibly. Now in close communion with nature, thankfully, we have discovered a friend, philosopher and guide in nature!

Pandemic: Life itself is a teacher, we always knew. But how a catastrophe unleashed by the coronavirus, can teach us novel lessons in life, are being learnt now. Starting from coping with crippled businesses, loss of livelihood to handling enforced loneliness, emotional seesaw, topsy-turvy routines, we are learning unique lessons and reinventing ourselves. The crisis has taught us to appreciate Nature, create new networks, leverage virtual world, look for new engagements, explore new hobbies, pursue passions, experiment with new ways and ideas, act collectively for the common good, and, last but not the least, to have a better world view and perspective.

Welcome to all the New Teachers!

Photo from the Internet

Ram Krishna Sinha

Ram Krishna Sinha is a former General Manager at Bank of India, and lives in Mumbai. After three and half decades of distinguished career in the Bank, he is presently invested in talent mapping, management education and writing for newspapers and magazines on contemporary issues. An author of the motivational book “X-Factor @Workplace” published by Tata McGraw Hill, he is an Opinion Columnist for the CEOWORLD magazine.

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