On this UNESCO World Teacher’s Day, HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji beautifully reminds us that a “true teacher is one who guides us by their Divine example. Our Mother gives us life, but our teachers teach us how to live. They give us, not just a livelihood, but a life.

“A teacher is one that gives us speed as well as direction; one who, in the age of Internet, tells us never to forget our Innernet; one who reminds us to stay connected to our values and ethics.

“Education may bring earning, but learning comes from values or sanskaras. Therefore, we need not worry so much about giving our children cars. Rather, we must give them sanskaras. Without a car or toy the child may cry for a while but, without values, they will suffer for a lifetime.

“As the planet begins the long process of recovering from Covid, let us pledge to put our Teachers at the heart of education recovery. Let us focus on the support teachers need to fully contribute to the recovery process, to develop their full potential to play the role expected of them in recovering from the pandemic and achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (#SDG4).”