Mahamaheem's Speech for Teachers' Day Function on 5 th September, 2012 at KGMU, Lucknow Vice Chancellor, Prof. D. K. Gupta, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Prof. J. V. Singh, Dean, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Prof. K. K. Wadhwani, Faculty and students of this eminent University, Guests, Press and Media, I extended my hearty greetings on Teachers Day. This day is celebrated on the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a renowned philosopher and a statesman who became the second President of India from 1962 to 1967. He was the first Vice President of India from 1952 1962 and was honored with the Bharat Ratna
award in 1954. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was an eminent teacher, who continued the guru-shishya tradition, or parampara of our Indian culture. Beginning in the oral traditions of the Upanishads as early as 2000 BC, the guru-shishya relationship has evolved into a fundamental component of nationalism. The term "Upanishad" derives from the Sanskrit words "upa" (near), "ni" (down) and "şad" (to sit) so it means "sitting down near" a teacher to receive instruction. The relationship between Krishna and Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita portion of the Mahabharata, and between Rama and Hanuman in the Ramayana are examples. 2
I am pleased to note that this University had been adjudged 9th best for MBBS education by India Today Magazine this year. The Outlook Magazine has also adjudged this university as 6th best for MBBS and 5th best for BDS education. I extend my heartiest felicitations to you, the teachers, who have made this possible. You are teaching generations of future doctors who will remember your selfless and tireless efforts to impart the best knowledge with the most contemporary technologies and do so with pride and affections. I charge the University authorities to provide the students with the best environment, state of the art resources and a unique peaceful atmosphere to promote the culture of 3
learning. I am very pleased to note that the Medical Council of India has established a Regional Center for Medical Education Technologies in this University and affiliated 29 medical Institutions within and outside the State to train teachers in the modern methods of medical education. This will ensure that the students who pass out of the portals of this University are exposed to the best of medical researchers. Through this center, the University will also fulfill its societal responsibility to other medical institutions. Thus, the proud Georgian lineage will continue strong and grow and cover the world far and wide. 4
One of the important challenges before each faculty of this premier medical university is to become a model teacher. Teachers have to develop a warm and supportive relationship with the students. Responsibility of a teacher does not finish by just preparing for a class and delivering a lecture. It extends much beyond it and includes mentoring students, guiding and advising them and seeing them grow, and thus become an valuable resource to the society and Country. The teacher must have a commitment towards his role as a teacher and love his job responsibilities. It is recommended that he knows his students individually. This will enhance the impact she or he has on their lives 5
as such and learning in particular. The annual intake of 250 MBBS and 100 BDS students makes it a challenge which has to be met systematically and purposefully. Other than the conventional lecture theater there are many platforms for one to one teacher-student interactions like tutorials, sports, extracurricular activities, hostels etc. All occasions to build a rapport and guide the students individually must be explored. In KGMU a student- teacher mentoring program has been started, and I see this as the beginning of a good tradition. There is, however, a need to strengthen and promote this program by the authorities to achieve the desired endpoint. Inputs of students must also be 6
obtained and incorporated in the program. Across all disciplines teachers time has to be protected for interacting with both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Just as a teacher has responsibility towards students, students too have to develop a commitment to learning. They must inculcate three elements in their relationship to a teacher: First, the student must respect the teacher and hold him/her in the highest esteem. Secondly, the student must trust the teacher's concern. The student must believe that the teacher always has his or her best interests in mind. Finally, the student must commit himself or herself to 7
following the instructions with utmost discipline. In modern Indian context, there is a growing apathy of doctors towards patients and vice-a versa, a diminishing respect for the doctors. Perhaps, the first place to diagnose the cause of this malady is the conduct of medical teachers themselves towards patients since this serves as a role model for students. If teachers in a department have a sympathetic attitude towards patients, there will be no rift between junior doctors and students in that department. Patients come to us in anguish, fear and pain but with trust. Teachers have to develop a professional and caring relationship with the patients. This will not only 8
give them self satisfaction but help and comfort patients as well as teach their students on how to behave with the sick. The University today is felicitating a few meritorious teachers. Merit is that which accumulates as a result of good deeds, acts or thoughts and that carries over to form a meritorious personality. While I congratulate teachers who have been honored today for their contributions in medical education, I also recognize that every committed teacher, in the field of medicine or otherwise, is accumulating merit. Therefore, I personally acknowledge each one of you for your unique contributions. 9
I charge you to remember the triad of giving or educating students and caring for the patients, imbibing virtuous attributes and attitudes and continue constantly on the path of self development. I wish you all a very happy Teacher s Day and pray that you keep progressing and excelling in your professional and personal lives. Thank You - Namaskar 10