The birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, 5th September is celebrated as Teacher’s Day in India. He was the second President of independent India, a renowned scholar, and a recipient of Bharat Ratna. On his 77th birthday, India marked its first Teacher’s Day, September 5, 1962.
Since then the day has always been about gratitude and reverence. Needless to say, the ways of celebrating have evolved with time. However, the spirit of honoring teachers has remained consistent over the decades. On that note, let us take you on a journey of what kind of roller coaster the Teacher’s Day celebration ride from the past 62 years. Here’s how Teachers Day celebrations have transformed from the early 90s to today.
Early 90s: Simple Teacher’s Day Celebrations
Even though the facilities were not as vast as today, Teacher’s Day celebrations during the early 90s were filled with excitement and simplicity. The schools across the country eagerly waited to get showered with appreciation.
The strict schedule was set aside, allowing the students and teachers to enjoy some leisure time. Talking about celebrating while having leisure time, schools often organize a movie day. Intriguing stories like ‘doo aankhen barah haath’, ’parichay’, ’Karma’, or ’Mr. India’ was played for the audience.
Also, there were interactive activities to promote engagement like students-versus-teachers basketball matches or kho-kho. This friendly competition was to foster companionship and mutual respect between students and teachers.
Later on, students gifted adorable hand-made cards to their teachers. Besides, the senior-most students took on the role of teachers for the day, stepping into classrooms to teach the younger grades. This also served as an inspiration for them to step into the teaching profession.
Late 90s to The Pre-COVID Era: Teacher’s Day With Extravagance
By the late 90s and early 2000s, Teacher’s Day celebrations began to evolve. The essence remained the same, but the scale of celebrations grew. Students still followed the traditions of teaching and participating in sports with their teachers. However, the celebrations became more elaborate.
Teachers were welcomed with a warm gesture and a decorated classroom. The day began with a special assembly dedicated to teachers where students had their performances ready. There was acting, dancing, singing, plays, poem recitation, mimicry, and much more that added to the show.
With students pooling their money, gifts for teachers became more common. Individually, students gifted flowers, pens, and cards to their mentors. Some classes even began the tradition of having their class teacher cut a cake. The celebrations were more festive, with students and teachers alike enjoying the increased sense of occasion.
Teacher’s Day celebrations became more personalized as we moved closer to the 2010s. With the easy availability of gifts and cakes, students began to shower their teachers with various presents. The concept of cutting a cake was no longer limited to one per class; it became common for each teacher to have their own cake.
COVID Era: Virtual Teacher’s Day Celebrations
The COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill. Everything from celebrations to traveling came to a pause. While multiple events and occasions got a hit, the spirit of Teacher’s Day celebrations remained unbroken. With schools closed and social distancing norms in place, the e-classes came into being and celebrations moved online.
Teachers Day in 2020 was celebrated over Zoom calls and Google Meet sessions. Students sent virtual cards, made heartfelt video messages, and even organized online games and quizzes to entertain their teachers. The sense of community and gratitude was stronger than ever, proving that even a pandemic couldn’t dull the spirit of this cherished day.
Present Day: Social & Personalized Teacher’s Day Celebration
Today, Teachers Day celebrations are a blend of tradition and modernity. While the celebration techniques might have changed, the essence of the day remains the same—honoring and appreciating the educators who shape young minds. However, the ways and means have adapted to the times.
After the COVID period, everything shifted online, and online shopping witnessed a major growth rate. Now, the students have started shopping for Teacher’s Day gifts online, where they get more options at affordable prices.
Besides, the ever-changing social trends have promoted personalized cakes. Unlike before, each subject had its themed cake, like science cake, history cake, maths cake, and more. Honestly, this adds a unique flavor to the celebrations.
Of course, the pictures of Teacher’s Day celebrations are now shared online, encouraging all to participate in the prestigious day. Overall, the day was a series of joyful moments, as every period brought a new surprise for the teachers.
Conclusion
Teacher’s Day is a day to pause the hard work and give a well-deserved break to their efforts for a brighter future. It reflects and expresses gratitude for the dedication and hard work of teachers. No matter how far we have come or how much the teaching methods have changed, the core of Teacher’s Day remains unchanged. Whether through a simple card or a personalized celebration, the respect and admiration for teachers continue to shine through every year.
