If the mobile network is not connected well with the mobile phone, no information can be downloaded or uploaded effectively. Similar is the equation between a teacher and a student which requires a healthy rapport for the imparting of education to be successful.

My father had always wanted me to become a bureaucrat and prepare for the civil services but I always wanted to become a journalist and interview people. After completing my graduation, I also sat for the competitive examinations for teaching services and luckily I got selected for the post of a primary school teacher in Uttar Pradesh’s Chandauli district. 

Initially, I was finding it difficult to adjust myself to the ground reality of serving in the country’s rural hinterland. The dusty road to the school and the barren hills on both the sides were a depressing sight and I thought to myself that this posting was a punishment. 

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However, I realised that if I had to spend a considerable part of life teaching in this school, I better find some motivation to do my job in an efficient manner. The task of increasing the number of students was ordered to me by the higher authorities and I took it as a mission to accomplish. 

There were just 36 students enrolled in the school initially and it took serious effort to visit houses of the underprivileged children and convince their parents about the importance of education in life.

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I formed a team which used to scan the entire village every morning and searched for kids who should ideally be at school. Some children were found loitering around, climbing trees and playing. I used to bring them to school and counsel them so as to generate their interest in learning. That was some rigorous efforts on the part of all the teachers at the school.

Gradually, the number of students soared to 130 and in the process of making these children realise the importance of learning, I developed emotional attachment with each one of them.

There were joyful moments too! Saturdays were meant to be ‘No Bag Day’ when the teaching did not involve the use of books or bags. This style of teaching really inspired the students to study well.

After four years of teaching at Chandauli, I was recently transferred to Hardoi district. I announced my transfer to my students and organised a small feast for the tiny tots. However, the moment I picked up my bag to leave, they all huddled around me and began wailing. It is and perhaps will be the biggest moment of my life. I somehow held back my tears and promised them that I’ll keep visiting them regularly.