Teaching Profession
In Sanskrit, the teacher is referred to as a "guru" who dispels darkness. That’s why the teacher is a torch bearer. He/she imparts knowledge to change the inner world of the pupils. He/she corrects pupils from ignorance to knowledge. Teachers are the people who are working in educational institutions. So, "the teachers are those who have dedicated their lives to the cause of education." Swami Vivekananda suggested it for man-making and character-building education. Education is the backbone of a nation and it is the only trait that can make a nation strong and self-sufficient. The role of a teacher is an important agent of change for the future. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam said, ‘If you are a teacher in whatever capacity, you have a very special role to play because more than anybody else, it is you who are shaping the future generation. "The officers, businessmen, ministers, etc., can afford to go for money; they may be forgiven, but the teachers cannot be forgiven because, through their bad examples, thousands of students may be affected. Swamiji said, "Be and Make". The influence of teachers can cause a student to become either great or demon-like.

But today’s education in India has become a demon making due to democratic politics and the political parties' ideology and agenda. Education is limited mostly to rank or grade for a lucrative money-making profession for the pupils and their guardians. Because of the socio-political and economic crisis, the main purpose of education is to get a job and a consumer lifestyle. Moral or ethical values in education have been left out purposefully.

Unemployment and the job market are the giant crises in India, particularly in West Bengal. For a long time, no new job avenue has been created. Only urban-based service sectors are avenues for jobs (mostly contractual), which usually accommodate all without any education background. Service benefits, etc. in these service sectors are not even enough to lead a life with minimal self. So, the younger generation of West Bengal has migrated from the state. Most of them have only a school education because they think higher education is nothing but a wastage of time and money. However, the democratic state government has fabricated and mouthful of publicity on the state's development and progress. Chop making (oil fired) is an industry here, and the state government promotes it.

Therefore, the teaching profession has become an important and crucial job sector for the educated youth of the state. Although there is a particular process of teacher recruitment, the political party and its leaders in the rule take it as a platform for money making. A teaching job from primary to university level has been sold for money. And it is the biggest state-sponsored scam in India. For a teaching job, educational qualifications, merit, and others are less prioritised than money. The teaching profession has transformed into an unethical and immoral profession. How would the teachers teach their students to always tell the truth or not tell a lie when they are the result of corruption? It is a setback to the future generation. It would push them into the darkness. The people of the lower strata would be misguided. Their children would be out of school.

The people of Bengal enjoyed a glory of education, culture, and intellectuality. But it has been sinking into the deep ocean. Today, Bengal does not think what India thinks tomorrow. The leadership of the political party in power has desperately adopted this policy. They forgot the history of education in Bengal. For instance, with the support of Lord Hardinge, Vidyasagar established 101 "Banga" schools in different districts of Bengal, and Vidyasagar was the selector of teachers for these schools, who were the pass-out students of the Sanskrit college of Calcutta. His colleagues criticised and blamed him because no reference in the selection of teachers would be entertained. The only eligible would get the job.

As a result, the next generation is facing a major crisis. How it would be made up is also a great crisis.
Harasankar Adhikari, Kolkata

Emblem Row
How about the issue of desecration of national symbols?

"Lions are supposed to be aggressive but these lions (Ashokan) are not aggressive, they send the message of peace and protection and are benign kind of lions. The teeth are more visible in the new lions which is not so in the older ones," (Historian Harbans) Mukhia told PTI.

The showing of teeth is a strong sign of "aggressiveness" which shows the "aggressive nationalism" that is being attempted to be portrayed, he said.

This has not been done unconsciously or is artistic liberty, he said. In his view, artists do have liberty but they can't change the basic message the piece of art wants to convey.

"The teeth are particularly aggressive here. It changes the basic nature. Modifications convey a meaning. What kind of message is this regime trying to convey? Are you transforming India from a peaceful nation to an aggressive one?"
Sukla Sen

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Frontier
Vol 55, No. 7, Aug 14 - 20, 2022