One day, I asked my Japanese colleague, teacher Yamamota, "How do you celebrate Teacher's Day in Japan?
Surprised by my question, he replied, "We don't have Teacher's Day". When I heard his reply, I was not sure whether I should believe him or not. A thought passed through my mind, "Why a country, which is so advanced in economy, sciences and technology, so disrespectful towards teachers and their work?"
Once, after work, Yamamota invited me to his house. We took the metro since it was far away. It was the evening peak hour and the coaches in the metro were overcrowded. I managed to find a space to stand, holding the overhead rail tightly. Suddenly, the elderly man who was seated beside me offered me his seat.
Not understanding this respectful behaviour of an elderly man, I declined, but he was persistent and I was forced to sit. Once we were out of the Metro, I inquired Yamamota to explain what exactly the whitebeard did. Yamamota smiled and pointed at the tag of Teacher I was wearing and said, "This old man has seen the tag of a teacher on you and as a sign of respect towards your status, offered you his seat.
Since I was visiting Yamamota for the first time, I felt uncomfortable going there with empty hands so I decided to buy a gift. I shared my thoughts with Yamamota, he supported the idea and said that little further, there was a shop for teachers, where one can purchase goods at reduced prices. Once again, I couldn't hold my emotions :-
"Privileges are offered only to teachers?" I asked. Confirming my words, Yamamota said, "In Japan, teaching is the most respected profession and the teacher is the most respected person. The Japanese entrepreneurs are very happy when teachers come to their shops, they consider it an honour".
During my stay in Japan, I've observed multiple times the utmost respect of the Japanese towards teachers. They have special seats allocated for them, in the metro, there are special shops for them, the teachers there don't line up in the queue for tickets for whatever type of transport.
That's why the Japanese teachers don't need a special day when every day in their life is a celebration.
My take
Acharya Devo Bhava!
Tailpiece.
Got up a trifle before 6, the chores. Sajish, came by a half past 7, gave me a haircut and massage.
Meanwhile washing machinex was carried out; Subin cleaned up the overhead filter.
Nikhila and gang dropped by 1600 hrs and it was yakkitiyak after that. Earlier I was on an hour's zoom meet with Colonels Hura and Rajeev. Tamura, Chanji's director, was the chief guest.
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