As we celebrated Teachers day with flowers, greetings and words of praise ,my heart goes out to the Teachers of kodagu. To me they are not just Educators – they are torch bearers of hope, quietly carrying the light of knowledge even when their own paths are filled with shadows.
I think of those Teachers who walk miles through misty hills in muddy paths just to reach their little schools tucked away in valleys. I think of those who stand in classrooms with broken benches and leaking roofs, yet teach with smile as if nothing is missing. With so little in their hands they give so much- turning scraps of paper into lessons, and turning silence into inspiration.
Their struggles are rarely spoken of. The weight of expectations, the demands of society, the endless duties outside classrooms all of these they bear quietly. And still they remain patient, guiding children not only with lessons from books but with values for life.
I know of Teachers who spend from their own pockets for chalk, charts ,or even a sweet reward to brighten a child’s day. I know of Teachers who stay back after school to help the weak, or to simply listen to the unspoken worries of a child. They are more than
Teachers- they are guardians of dreams, shaping futures with love that often goes unnoticed.
Our gratitude must go beyond garlands and applause. We must pause to truly acknowledge the silent sacrifices of our Teachers. To teach especially in kodagu, is not just a profession it is an act of love, endurance and deep compassion.
Let us bow our heads in respect of these silent warriors of kodagu. No garland or speech can ever be enough to measure their sacrifice. To teach is not just profession .it is their devotion, their act of love, their gift to society.
A Teacher’s struggle may be silent, but the light they kindle will shine through generations yet to come.
KODANDERA MAMATHA SUBBAIAH.
