Dubai: The tenth episode of NewsKarnataka.com’s Namaste Teacher was held on November 6 at 6.30 pm IST.
The series that showcases teachers and the impact they have had on students through teacher-student interaction was broadcast live on YouTube at youtube.com/newskarnataka. The event host was Spearhead Media Group Mentor and Advisor CA Valerian Dalmaida, and the co-host was Kiran Nirkan.
The guest teacher of the evening was Irene Pinto. Her students Sunitha Jayanth, M.A. Home Maker, Qatar, Dr. Mamatha, Additional Professor, Department of Anatomy, KMC Manipal, Prathvi Florine Lobo, BSc. Nursing, R. Subhash Arwa, Film and Serial Director and Sandeep Patla, B. Com were the special guests for the event.
In the beginning host CA Valerian Dalmaida introduced the students and co-host Kiran Nirkan introduced the teacher
Irene Pinto sharing her experience as a teacher said, ”I was born in 1956 at Belthangady Taluk. I lost my mother last year at the age of 86. We are 12 children for my parents and belonged to very poor family. I had my primary education at Kallaje, Bangadi. While in high school I met Mary teacher who taught us Biology and English. She was a real inspiration for me to become a teacher. After my 10th she came home and handed me an application to join TCH at Rosa Mystica, Kaikamba. While doing my TCH, our principal Sr. Theresa taught us gardening, cleaning etc. She sent my friend and me to Punjab for teaching. I taught there for one year and learnt both Hindi and English. Next I went to teach Maths at Shivamogga, and taught there for 5 years. Later I came to Charmadi Government School wherein I had to teach Class I to VII. I got married in 1984, and thereafter I joined Sulkerimogru Government School as assistant teacher. I did census of the village, census of children, voter list etc. through which I came to know the pulse of the villagers. Every child has god’s soul, and therefore if we respect a child, it is equal to respecting God. A teacher is being observed by the students all the time. I loved the students as if they are my own kids. One of my principals once told me that our hands will shiver the day we will take salary without working, and I never forgot that.”
Dr. Mamata said, “teacher helps us develop from day one till our last day. All our siblings are students of Irene teacher. You took care of us just like our parents. We have immense respect for your dedication,” she said. “Irene teacher took us to sports events wherein she gave us chocolates, ice creams etc. She taught us cleaning, and gave us the responsibility of maintaining a tree each.”
Subhas said, “she is like a mother to all of us and for other staff too. She taught us ‘ABCD’ which was more beautiful than any other English lessons in further classes.”
Sunita said, ”In our times there were only 3 teachers Ananth Raj sir who was busy in administrative works, and therefore all the classes were handled by by Irene teacher. She not only taught lessons but also instilled in us moral values. She is the only teacher for the whole village. We were just like clay, and Irene teacher moulded us and gave a proper shape. In the primary school children believe whatever a teacher says while they don’t believe even their own parents.”
Meanwhile Prathvi said, ”Irene teacher is still a teacher to me. She was well known as ‘ Dodda Teacher’ because of her values, and dignity. Everyone in the village respected her. She encouraged us to participate in sports, pratibha karanji etc. She taught us many skills like gardening, cooking, cleaning etc. She always said grab every opportunity that comes your way, and make good use of it. A teacher’s impact on students is most significant than any other person in the world. Teachers like Irene madam inspire today’s generation of teachers.”
Sandeep said, ”she used to teach us Maths, and English. Irene teacher gave me the work of watering the coconut tree, and I lied before her that I work at home. I have a lot to say about Irene madam but I can’t express as I am overwhelmed with emotions.”
Kiran Nirkan said “I spoke to teacher a couple of weeks back, and she said that, “I am an ordinary teacher with no significant achievement.” This shows her simplicity. However, in reality she is an extraordinary teacher.
Valerian Dalmaida said, We saw for the last nine episodes how the teachers influence the lives of their students. This realisation makes me hopeful that the objective of the Namaste Teacher show will be fulfilled. We would like to share the contribution of our teachers with the world, and hence I call upon the viewers to feel free to share the contact details of your teachers.
Both students and teacher recalled their school life and became excited. Students reminded their teacher the mischievous things they did during their school days.
While signing off, all the students wished their teacher again and extended best wishes to Newskarnataka for hosting programmes like Namaste Teacher.
