By Tenzin Dickyi
An exclusive interview with Mrs. Sonam Choedon, Post Graduate Teacher of the Central School for Tibetans (CST) Darjeeling, West Bengal, who was honoured with National Award for Teachers-2005 here at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi among other 316 teachers on 5th September.
First of all tell us something about yourself?
I was born in Dromo, Tibet in 1958. My parents fled to India in 1959 and settled in Darjeeling. I did my schooling from Central School for Tibetans (C.S.T), Darjeeling. After completing Higher Secondary in 1977, I joined Miranda House, Delhi University from where I completed both graduation and Post graduation in History. I did my B.Ed from Central Institute of education, Delhi University. In 1984 I had an opportunity to visit several schools and museums in Netherlands, England, Germany and Norway for I which I will remain ever grateful to my benefactor, Dr. Ir.J.R.De Jong and my cousin, Mrs. Chungdak Koren.
On my return from Europe I joined as a teacher in C.S.T Mundgod in 1985. Since than I have served in several C.S.T’s like in Kharapathra, Shimla, Darjeeling, Mussourie and Kalimpong. Recently I have been transferred back to Darjeeling.
What was your reaction when you were honoured with the National Award along with the other 316 teachers?
My feelings were that of a mixed one. On one hand I felt greatly honored on representing the Tibetan community by receiving such a prestigious award from His Excellency, the President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam for such a noble profession but on the other hand I was deeply saddened by the fact that my parents and Dr. Dejong did not live to see this day.
Tell us how difficult it is being a teacher? And how strict are you?
Teaching, like any other responsible profession is quite a challenge especially in the present fast moving world with all the other educational aids easily accessible in abundance to the learners. However if one enjoys this profession, one can make it not only enjoyable for self and learners but also can lend a faltering hand to this world of ours. Everyday is a new day surrounded by all these curious young minds and due to this, one never ages. Many of my friends envy me for this and it holds true for all the other teachers who enjoy their profession.
As for the discipline I am neither very liberal nor very strict but democratic in my approach. I have never forgotten my own childhood days and so I can understand the students better. I still have a vivid memory of those teachers who were very strict whom we used to avoid crossing and those few who were completely uninterested in our lives and indifferent if we went astray. But those who disciplined us with a firm loving hand have still left a loving memory and a strong impression. Today I would like to take the opportunity to pay my deep respects and gratitude to all my teachers from C.S.T Darjeeling especially to Sir Cargay, Miss Wangdu La, Late Sir Rampa and Late Gen Tsawang Norbu La, Gen Jutung Tenzing La and my Professor Mr. R.P. Sharma (C.I.E) and Dr.Krishna Kumar of C.I.E who is presently the Director of N.C.E.R.T for being role models to me.
Do you think it adds more to the award by receiving it from A.P.J. Abdul Kalam? Why?
Recognition of one’s service is a motivating factor and of course, receiving an award from the highest Constitutional Head of such a great nation, who himself is a great teacher and a great source of inspiration to young minds added more to the worth of this National Award.
The amount of preparation that had gone into honoring the teachers by the Indian Government and the memorable meeting with the President and the Prime Minister in person made our hearts swell with pride for being teachers. Listening to the unforgettable speeches given by the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, at his residence and by the President in Vigyan Bhawan and taking pledges will leave an everlasting imprint in our minds. Above all the simplicity of these two great personalities humbled us forever.
Teaching isn’t the profession that youngsters look forward to these days. What do you have to say on it?
Unlike in the old days where the cream of the young brains were sent in teaching profession, today the highest scorers are absorbed by medical, engineering, computer, hotel, banking, etc. The society attaches more status to those jobs which brings more money and power and doesn’t give the status due to the teachers who deals with knowledge and shape the lives of future generations.
However I find there are still quite a good number of students who dream of becoming teachers on realizing the nobility of this profession and the impact it can leave on the young minds.
How according to you a teacher and student relation should be?
Today’s teacher, I feel, need to understand the changing time and its influence on youngsters and cannot assume the old traditional role of teachers. The teacher-student relation should be friendly, approachable, understanding and above all based on love and respect for each other. Teachers must respect the individuality of each child and must not attack the self dignity of a particular student.
What do you think is the most important quality in a teacher?
The most important quality of a teacher should be his/her commitment, dedication and devotion to the profession and above all the love for the students. The love for students is driving forces which will make a teacher learn different methodology of teaching to making school life more interesting and lessons livelier.
A loving teacher will go to any extent leaving no stone unturned for the welfare of the students. The teacher should also be a learner through tout his life time and above all strive to be a GOOD human being. He/she should never separate divine education from the lessons.
What do you think about the Tibetan youth today?
When I travel down the memory lane and compare our days with today’s youth, I find a great difference. Except for completing our school with good grades, our vision and mental horizon about our future was very narrow and limited. All we wanted was to serve the Tibetan people by working in the Tibetan Government. No one dreamt of working outside the Tibetan community.
But today’s youth are more ambitious and adventurous. Besides they want to grab every opportunity that crosses their paths and dream of making more hard cash and rising in the international society. Unlike our days where teaching, nursing and military service were the aims of most, the youths of today go for more adventurous and paying careers.
In no way I am saying they are less patriotic. I deeply appreciate the youths’ concerned for the world at large and Tibet in particular which are evident from the various projects and demonstrations they are undertaking for the less privileged, innocent animals, health, environment, etc. Most of them are doing extremely in various fields which make us feel proud. For example, in your own Phayul and Tibet world, all the members are young Tibetans. We feel at ease knowing that our nation and our cause are in safe hands.
At last, what advice can you give to these young minds?
My humble advice as a teacher would be as follows:
a) The new generations should never forget the sacrifices made by our elder generations who never weakened in spite of the lack of modern education and technology.
b) They should remain ever grateful to the Government and people of India who were our only supporters during the hardest and darkest period of our Tibetan history.
c) Never turn a blind eye to any wrong that is taking place in the society.
d) Take the best of all the other cultures but must remain strongly rooted in our own culture which gives us our identity in the world of today.
e) And lastly, don’t run madly for material accumulation which may blur our national goal and in the process lose inner happiness.
