Teachers’ Day Celebration
Forty-four student teachers of the 2nd and the 3rd cohort occupied the grandly decorated classroom wearing their kabneys and rachus. The Chief Guest, the Dean of Student Affairs, followed by the retinue of honoured guests of the event who were the five professors and the administrative and support staff, paraded into the hall room and were received with a respectful bow and greetings. The significance of the nation’s red-letter day was heightened by the offering of Zhabten for His Majesty the King. The lady class representative of the 2nd Cohort, TshewangLhamo made a welcome address to the chief guest, professors, staff and student teachers with her dedication speech. She spoke on how World Teacher’s Day came to be celebrated on September 5, 1994, which was in memory of Dr.SarvepalliRadhakrishnan, India’s second president. The first Teacher’s Day was celebrated on 2nd May 2003 in Thimphu, in Bhutan. She referred to the story of Eklavya in Mahabharata to express the importance of teacher or guru.
The chief guest briefly highlighted the significance of the day and wished everyone a happy teacher’s day. The chief guest’s inaugural speech was followed by a cake-cutting ceremony. The guests and the student representatives took part in the joyous ceremony, and the suja and the cakes were served to everyone. The welcome dance was performed by the students of the 2nd cohort. The students were invited to the dance floor to make their moves to maintain celebrative mood.
The class representatives presented the gifts to the professors and also to every staff on behalf of all the students, which was supported by hearty rounds of applause. Students participated in the traditional dances and songs, occasionally joined by the staff members and professors. Four professors, Dr. Chitra, Dr. Smiles, Dr. Rajesh and Dr. Edward volunteered to speak and share their insights and observations on the significance of a teacher’s day. Three students also volunteered to share their gratitude to the teachers and professors. Sangay Tenzin, Palden Dorji and Ash Bahadur Subba were the representative speakers from the students’ side. Two students, Karma Chezang and Palden Dorji also came forward to entertain the audience by singing solo songs. The class representative of the first year expressed the vote of thanks to the chief guest, to the guests and especially to the professors, for enlightening the minds and hearts, and making the students capable and competent which will help him to go back to school and feel worthy as a teacher. He said that he hoped to feel satisfaction and pride when students wished him “Happy Teacher’s Day” and said “Thank you, teacher!” after learning much in Yonphula College. The programme came closer towards an end with Tashi Lebay Dance where everyone was asked to dance on the floor. The photo session followed the TashiLebay dance, where students used their best smartphones to capture themselves proudly standing with the professors.
The guests and students joined the queues with smiling faces to savour the scrumptious lunch. It was a rejuvenating and bonding moment between the professors and the students, as well as between everyone through warm interaction.
Contributed by:
Mr Ash Bahadur Subba
II semester- Year I
