When appreciation is worth its weight in gold

Reading an article on the world’s youngest school principal stirred a slew of memories.

Babar Ali began teaching other children at the age of eight. After returning from his government school, he would share the knowledge he had gleaned with kids who normally spent the day tending to cattle, working in the fields or playing football.

The makeshift school he improvised in his backyard soon attracted the children who showed an interest in knowing more about a world beyond the confines of their impoverished village.

News of Ali’s initiative soon spread far and wide and he was chosen as a CNN-IBN Real Hero.

The school has expanded beyond his wildest dreams but the now 22-year-old wants to do more — reach out to other areas lacking in schools.

So many children re-enact the classroom scenario in their homes. There is something very attractive about figures of authority. In these recreations, there is always a clamour to play the role of teacher. Being a student and made to sit still or do homework isn’t much fun. But those who are designated these roles, fall into line as they await their turn to be in charge.

On a recent visit home, I attended a reunion of students whom I had taught some two decades ago. The function was organised at the premises of the alma mater and going back to a place that held so many endearing memories was a boost to the spirit.

Many of these men and women were CEOs, running their own businesses, doctors and engineers.

However, their gratitude to their teachers is crystal clear. This particular batch had taken the trouble of getting in touch with every teacher who had taught them from kindergarten to grade 12.

The occasion was meticulously planned, with many of them flying down from overseas to orchestrate the function.

As one of the presenters said, they were determined to make this a ‘wow’ event and outdo all the previous batches who had organised similar dos.

They thought hard and long about the token of appreciation to present to their teachers and came up with a practical solution. They knew some of these teachers were old now and the best gift would be medical insurance. They went to the homes of every teacher living in town to ask if they needed topping up of the coverage they had or whether they had it at all. The offer was welcomed by their mentors who accepted it gratefully.

When I heard about their gesture, I was struck by their thoughtfulness and sensitivity.

Those of us who lived out of town were given a different present, which was just as extravagant.

I later learnt more about their generosity of spirit. Some of these former students had sponsored the gifts, which were given to everyone who had touched their lives in some way. These included all the hostel waiters and other workers who had served them in some way or the other through the years.

As I met these adults whom I had taught in their preteens or teens, the genuine happiness on their faces as they greeted me was heart-warming. Many of them revealed little incidents from way back that had stayed in their memories.

What was most impressive was their humility and genuine concern for those who had taught them in their formative years. For example, the elderly teacher who was guided to his chair as he leant on his walking stick.

They might have gained prominence in their respective fields of work but, as they stood in front of me, I could recall the antics that this one got up to in class so many aeons ago as well as the brilliant student whose work was a pleasure for a teacher to peruse.

I marvelled at the fact that they had fulfilled all our dreams and wishes for them — they had grown up into wonderful human beings — and I consider myself blessed to have been a part of their lives.