Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)
Bantwal, Jan 19: Students of the Alumni Association of Darul Islam Aided Higher Primary School, Akkarangadi, Panemangalore have presented a gold chain worth lacs of rupees to their teacher, as a token of gratitude, who has taught in the school for more than three decades.
Jayalakshmi R Bhat is a former teacher of the school, who retired from service in 2020 after teaching for more than 28 years in the same school. However, she continued to teach in the school even after her retirement without taking any salary due to scarcity of teachers. The teacher who has been teaching in the school for 31 years has endeared herself to her students. She has guided more than 2,000 students during her career.
The students of the school’s alumni association decided to present her a gift, their favourite teacher, as she was attaining retirement. Students of the association formed a WhatsApp group to collect money for the purpose, held a discussion and decided to present her a gold chain. Students of the association together pooled a sum of Rs 2.1 lac with the help of local villagers and bought her a gold chain weighing 33 grams from this kitty.
The students who had kept this matter confidential presented their favourite teacher with this surprise gift during the school anniversary function that was held on Wednesday, January 17. The teacher was overwhelmed with emotion and joy on receiving this gift from her old students.
Jayalakshmi teacher, as she is known, said she had asked her students not to present her any gift. “But they have shown their love without my knowledge by presenting me with this precious gift. May all of my students grow to greater heights,” she said.
Shakir Akkarangadi, president of the alumni association said Jayalakshmi teacher was not only a teacher to them but she was one who looked after them like a parent. “She had special concern and love towards us. We remember her even though we are living in distant places now,” he said.
“The gold chain gifted by old students can be valued but not their hearts which are made of gold. This felicitation shows the amount of her influence on the students. Students can reach higher standards by honouring their teachers,” said Bantwal block education officer.