Random Ramblings of a Reluctant Blogger

 There are teachers and teachers. Teachers who can, and do, teach well and those who cannot teach at all. I fall in the latter category. And it isn’t the first time that I have admitted it. For when it comes to teaching I have ‘dysteachia’.

My teaching abilities can well be termed unorthodox, in the sense that I believe that each individual should learn on his own! For no matter how you teach, the ability to grasp depends on the individual.

Of course, I realise it is my defence, a frail one, to cloak my inefficacy of my teaching methods.

This truth hits home hard, especially when you see a teacher in action close up. My wife Lopa, who has been teaching for almost three decades, points the mirror to my ineptitude. There have been numerous instances of her ex-students walking up to her, with their kids in tow, and thanking her for being their guru. Their genuine respect and love convinces me that by not teaching I have done good for the world. 

After much introspection, I have come to realise my inability to teach stems from my iconoclastic streak. When you are busy being a student and questioning everything, how can you teach staying firmly with the given parameters? Add to it my patience, which while teaching, seems to stroll off far too often.

I do not in any way mean that good teachers, mentors and guides aren’t creative enough. I have seen and learnt from some of the best. But I cannot, just cannot teach.

Nor do I believe in the statement of Bernard Shaw ‘those who do, do, those who cannot, teach’. In fact there are many all around us who can neither do, nor teach. And it is these kinds who should never even dream of teaching. Now adding to the cacophony, these never-can-be teachers are morphing into social media influencers! And the more I see them, the more I am convinced that my ability to comprehend my inability to teach has actually stood me in good stead. Hence to teach, or not to teach is a dilemma that has never bothered me.

There is, however, one aspect of teaching I am good at, giving advice! This aspect has now added weight by my senior citizen status. I cannot teach, but certainly can advise. But, you can ask, won’t my iconoclasm now interfere. Well it is simple advice, need not be taken at all, seriously or otherwise. 

The influence of a teacher on a young mind is far more real than some real advice from an experienced soul. And I will not influence a young mind, certainly not with the crazy ideas swimming in my head. 

To all the good gurus out there, a grateful and happy Guru’s day. And too those not so good ones, pray you don’t be taken seriously!