Let me begin with a story- a story that crosses borders, cultures, and time- a story that reminds us of the true honour of being a teacher.
Years ago, in Italy, at the prestigious University of Rome, there worked a humble and sincere professor named Ishfaq. One day, while rushing to his lecture, he unknowingly violated a minor traffic rule on the roadside. For this, he was issued a challan and asked to appear before the court.
He went to the court alone— no lawyer, no supporter, no argument. Just the sincerity of a teacher.
When his case was called, the judge asked him calmly,
“Why did you come alone? Where is your lawyer?”
With quiet dignity, Ishfaq replied,
“Sir, I am a teacher. I believe in truth. I came to accept my mistake and pay the penalty.”
The courtroom fell silent.
The judge looked at him intensely and asked, “Did you say… you are a teacher?”
In that moment, something extraordinary happened.
The judge stood up. The entire panel of officers stood up with him.
The judge said with deep respect, “We are all here because of a teacher. This court exists because teachers shaped us. Your presence here is an honour for us.”
Yes, they fined him—because the law must be respected.
But what happened after was unforgettable: The whole courtroom walked with him to the gate, escorting him with honour,
to pay tribute not to Ishfaq the man, but to Ishfaq the teacher.
He narrates this powerful experience in his book Zavia, reminding us that no title in the world is greater than “Teacher.”
THE TEACHER IN SCHOOL — THE HEART OF LEARNING
In schools, teachers are the architects of learning. Research across the world clearly shows that a good teacher can impact a child’s life more than curriculum, infrastructure, or technology. Studies from UNESCO and the World Bank highlight that a teacher’s effectiveness influences not only academic performance but also behaviour, confidence, emotional wellbeing, and life choices.
In school, a teacher does not just teach lessons—they touch souls.
A teacher is the first to see potential in a child who cannot see it in themselves.
They turn fear into confidence, confusion into clarity, and effort into achievement.
A teacher becomes the steady hand behind every trembling student.
They lend courage to the shy, direction to the lost, and wings to the dreamers.
Children may forget many things in life—
but they never forget the teacher who believed in them before they believed in themselves.
Teachers do not just complete the syllabus—they complete the student.
THE TEACHER IN THE COMMUNITY — A LAMP IN THE DARK
In the community, a teacher becomes a silent leader.
People trust their judgement, seek their advice, and respect their values.
Teachers guide families, uplift youth, correct misconceptions, promote harmony, and create awareness during crises.
A teacher does not need authority to lead—
their character itself becomes authority.
They are the moral backbone of society,
the quiet force that keeps communities from falling apart.
THE TEACHER IN LIFE — A PRESENCE THAT NEVER FADES
As we grow older, the lessons of our teachers travel with us. In every moment of honesty, we echo their teaching. In every challenge, we remember their words. In every success, we feel their unseen pride.
A teacher’s influence is not for a year or two— it is for a lifetime.
THE TEACHER AS A MENTOR — THE GENTLE ARCHITECT OF DESTINY
A mentor is a teacher who touches the heart, not just the mind.
A mentor listens without judgement. A mentor guides without pressure. A mentor lifts you when the world pushes you down.
A mentor sees possibility where others see limitations.
Research across the world shows that students who have teachers as mentors grow into stronger, kinder, more resilient human beings.
But beyond research, there is something deeper— A mentor shapes not your marks, but your identity. They do not prepare you for exams, they prepare you for life.
CONCLUSION
Today, when we honour teachers, let us remember Professor Ishfaq— the village teacher who stood alone in a courtroom with nothing except truth. The professor taught students in Rome with humility and the author immortalised his journey in Zavia.
His story reminds us of a simple, eternal truth: A teacher may walk in simplicity, but their influence is monumental. They build character, confidence and actually shape human beings.
And through human beings, they build nations.
To every teacher—
You are the heartbeat of society, the light that guides generations, and the quiet miracle behind every success story.
The writer is MD, PGDMH, PGDDM, Associate Professor, GHMC Kathua.
