A good teacher is one who radiates knowledge and radiates purity of life. I found both in my mentor, Tauseef sir

In India, Teachers’ Day is celebrated on the 5th of September every year to mark the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and to realize the contribution and importance of teachers. Teachers play a significant role in shaping the future of students. Students are like clay in the hands of the teacher whatever shape the teacher will give they will become so. Teaching is a noble profession acknowledged as sacred in every religion and aspired by every successful person. APJ Kalam once said, “Teaching is a very noble profession that shapes the character, calibre, and future of an individual. If people remember me as a good teacher that will be the biggest honour for me.”
After completing my 12th, I was not interested in joining college but due to some circumstances, I joined Government Degree College Sogam in 2020. That year was chaotic due to the pandemic, and in the second year, I didn’t go much due to a lack of interest in college as well as in my course – B.Sc. The third year was such a blessing for me because I met a veteran and venerable person, Dr Tauseef Ahmad Parray, Assistant Professor in Islamic Studies, an accomplished author and a promising scholar. When I met him the first time, I asked him several questions about writing skills. He shared his experiences with me and suggested different techniques. He also mentioned, “The first draft has to be written, it is like a building which is without windows, doors and other things, but through embellishment it becomes excellent. Similarly, the first draft is the foundation after polishing and refining it attains its essence.”
Meanwhile, the college organized an essay competition on International Women’s Day in which I secured 2nd position. That was my first feat in writing. After some time, he called me and said you have been selected as a gender ambassador but you have to write a paragraph of about 250 words under the title “Why do you want to be gender ambassador”. I wrote in a certain period of time that blew my mind and I asked myself how I did that. There was a vivid answer, “Only because of Tauseef sir.” He was the one who awoke my latent potential and liberated me from a phobia that I had been indulged in since my childhood because I still remember when I was in 10th standard I had no writing skills. I was not able to write a single paragraph. I had always left the writing skill portion in my board exams but Tauseef sir’s suggestions and directions refined my writing skills. Thereafter under the mentorship of Tauseef sir, I published myriad write-ups in newspapers on distinct topics and also contributed various articles to the college magazine last year on the annual day. I was honoured with the best writer of the year.
While struggling with writing, I contacted Tauseef sir innumerable times at unusual hours. He constantly gave me positive responses. The generous response which Tauseef sir possesses I wish every teacher does but haplessly this attribute is missing in many teachers. Besides writing skills, he made me a voracious reader and taught me countless lessons like ‘we should always help others’ and ‘if we can’t help then we must refrain from causing harm to anyone’. He also taught me, “Once you accomplish your goals, don’t become egoistic.”
In concurrent times, most teachers castigate students whenever they ask questions in lieu of clarifying doubts. How can students stay in an unquestioning state; it is their right. Our leader, the missile man APJ Abdul Kalam said that those are well who ask many questions. He said if a student remains silent and will not raise questions, its example is similar to the line which is in ECG which means that the student is not well. So, instead of castigating and demoralizing, the teachers should anchor students, and talk to them politely and friendly manner as teachers are the only hope of students who can stride them from the swamp of darkness to the paradise of light. Once APJ Kalam was asked, “Who is a good teacher?” He replied, “A good teacher is one who radiates knowledge and radiates purity of life”. Fortunately, I found both in my mentor, Tauseef sir.
The writer is a student of BSc 6th semester at GDC Sogam and can be reached at [email protected]

Shahid Shafi Shah