India is a country with an ancient civilization and rich cultural traditions. Here the importance of education has been considered supreme from the Vedas, Upanishads and Gurukuls. “Sa Vidya Ya Vimuktaye” means that only that education is meaningful which frees man from ignorance and bondage. Researchers from many countries have done research work on the sages of India, Gurukuls, modern education system, teachers due to whom India was considered a world guru etc. and are still doing it.
After 75 years of India’s independence, when our great country has entered its “Amritkaal”, then the biggest challenge before India is to build a new, prosperous, self-reliant and value-based India. Our illustrious Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set the goal of a developed India before the country by the year 2047, on completion of 100 years of independence. Today our country is the fourth largest economic power in the world and India is soon going to become the third largest economy in the world. Despite America imposing a 50 per cent tariff on India, we will overcome every obstacle through our Swadeshi mantra and take India to great heights as a self-reliant nation and will rebuild the country and make it a reality to become a world leader again. Every Indian has this belief in his heart. But it is also true that India will not be rebuilt only through economic progress, but for this we need cultured, self-reliant, innovative and patriotic citizens and only teachers can mold such citizens. Today India is also the country with the largest youth force in the world.
This youth force can become the basis of nation building and reconstruction only when it gets the right direction, proper guidance and value-based education. This work can be done more by a teacher than by any government, technology or system. Swami Vivekananda had said that “If I get a hundred energetic and characterful teachers, I will transform India in a few years.” It is clear from this statement that the role of a teacher is paramount in the reconstruction of India. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam had also said that “Dream is not what we see while sleeping, dream is that which does not let us sleep and the biggest means to make that dream come true is the teacher.” Hence, it is clear that the real architect of India’s reconstruction is the one who will work to shape the mind and brain of the coming generation. A teacher is not only a teacher, but a nation builder. Hence, it is believed that the foundation stone of India’s reconstruction will be laid by none other than our teachers because the teacher is the lamp that burns itself to provide light to the society and the nation. Mahatma Gandhi said, “If we want real freedom, we have to provide such education which develops the body, mind and soul. From this perspective, the role of a teacher in the reconstruction of India is not limited to books only, but is connected to every aspect of society.
Today India is progressing rapidly. India has created its unique identity in every field like space, science, technology, health and industry. Still, there are many challenges in front of us, which include increasing unemployment and lack of skills, decline of moral values, social inequality and division, environmental crisis and climate change, erosion of Indian culture amidst western consumerism etc. Our dream of “Developed India @ 2047” will be realized only when we overcome all these challenges and build a new India. Teachers can lead this task very well, because the future of the nation is made in the classroom. Therefore, the teacher will have to become not just a teacher, but a nation builder, guide and source of inspiration.
The real architect of the reconstruction of India will be the one who will mold the mind and brain of the coming generation i.e. the teacher. Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan said It was said that “The future of the nation is shaped by the hands of the teacher in the classroom.” The work of a teacher is not only to impart knowledge, but he is an artisan who shapes the character, culture and ideology of the coming generations. Only when the teacher understands his responsibility, he can make a true contribution in the reconstruction of India. India will not be rebuilt only by buildings, roads or industries. Real reconstruction will happen only when the society is morally strong. Teachers teach children the lessons of honesty, discipline, compassion, tolerance and responsibility. Father of the Nation Gandhiji also said that “Education without character building is like a body without a soul.” Therefore, the teacher will first have to sow the seeds of truth and morality in the students. The basis of reconstruction is patriotism. Teachers awaken patriotism in children by introducing them to freedom fighters, great men and the glorious tradition of India. This feeling will inspire them to work for India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a self-reliant India will be successful only when education becomes employment-oriented and skill-based. Teachers will have to teach children not just books but also business skills, entrepreneurship and innovation. This will make the youth not a “job seeker” but a “job provider”. The use of science and technology is essential for the reconstruction of India. Teachers will have to arouse curiosity, rationality and research in children. Only new discoveries and innovations can make India a knowledge-based economy.
Today, in the era of globalisation, Indian youth are getting cut off from their roots. It is the duty of the teacher to connect them with Indian languages, literature, art and traditions. Sanskrit shlokas, folktales and Indian history should not remain only in books but should become a part of life. This is necessary. India’s strength is its diversity but this diversity also becomes the reason for division at times. The teacher has to teach the children the lesson of equality, brotherhood and national unity. This harmony will become the foundation of India’s reconstruction. The biggest challenge of the 21st century is climate change. Today, when climate change and environmental crisis are serious, the teacher can protect the future India by teaching children love for nature and sustainable development.
The teacher should awaken sensitivity towards the environment in children, explain to them the importance of planting trees, water conservation and cleanliness. This feeling will take the future India forward in the direction of sustainable development. Our dream of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” will be fulfilled only when the teacher will teach children not only books, but life skills, entrepreneurship and innovation. It is the big responsibility of the teacher to make them job providers, not job seekers. Reconstruction means making the society modern and progressive. For this, the teacher should awaken the spirit of scientific approach, rationality and innovation in the students.
The New Education Policy (NEP-2020) has made technology the basis of education. The teacher himself must be proficient in technology so that he can make the students aware of both the opportunities and dangers of the digital world. The teacher has to instill honesty, discipline, tolerance and a sense of service in the students. Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi had said that “Characterless education is the path to destruction.” Therefore, the first duty of the teacher is to create a generation of character.
The basis of reconstruction is patriotism. The teacher should awaken patriotism, nationalism and a sense of duty in children by teaching history, freedom struggle and the saga of national heroes. It is the responsibility of the teacher to ensure that India does not lose its culture in the race of globalization. Taking Indian languages, literature, art and traditions to the new generation is also a part of reconstruction. India is a country of diversity. The teacher has to develop a sense of equality, brotherhood and unity in children. This is the real foundation of social harmony reconstruction.
After independence, India has progressed in many areas, but challenges like social inequality, unemployment, moral degradation, environmental crisis and technological backwardness are still in front of us. India, which has entered its “Amrit Kaal”, is reaching the ranks of developed nations by 2047. The role of the teacher in the reconstruction of India is undeniable, but there are some challenges in front of them too like inequality in rural and urban education, lack of teacher training, pressure of exam-centric studies, decreasing dignity of the teacher in the society, lack of resources and gap in digital knowledge etc. Along with overcoming these challenges, there is a dire need to awaken the spirit of innovation, morality, skill development and patriotism in the new generation, only then will the teachers be able to play their role fully.
