Teachers and tragedy
Tragedy — the best teacher
TRAGEDY is the shocking change in life Unexpected loss or failure
It feels like a point of no return Tragedy at times is so painful
It feels like the end of all opportunity and life
Death, divorce, heartbreak, bankruptcy, failure of goals
Tension in relationships, poverty, broken trust
Are all different forms of tragedy Tragedy can make one suicidal
And even ignore the preciousness of human life
Everyone does not know how to face tragedy with positivity Humiliation, disgrace and condemnation
Can have tragic implications
The victims suffer agony, apathy and distress
Tragedy has lasting negative effects Which eventually impacts one positively Leading one to an independent, free thinker
Tragedies can happen to anyone at anytime
Having felt the ebbs and flows Of grieving and healing
One must choose to adapt
Learn to be resilient
Emerge and re-establish
A different emotional baseline
The first step to rise against tragedy is To accept that everything is temporary And also accept it is real and irreversible Attachment causes pain, sense of helplessness,
Attachment is the cause of all sorrow and happiness
One who is less attached or completely detached
Is more likely to be indifferent to tragedy Reading, understanding and applying epics and scriptures
Like The Bible, Quran, Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita, and Mahabharata Can help one to wade across years of tragedy
Tragedy can bring out the best in human spirit
Ordinary people can display extraordinary courage and compassion Support structure provides immense solace to the victims
There is a slow recovery period in emerging out of tragedy
This requires an abiding faith in the divine energy and will
Fostering a deeper relationship with God Those who recover from tragedies and choose to adapt
Become mentally tougher and can deal with challenges of life
Much more confidently and positively Tragedy can teach us virtues
Only if we are open and willing to learn Tragedy is the best teacher to mould human life
BHAGWANJI BHINDI
Laucala Beach Estate, Nasinu
Honouring teachers
THIS week Australia honoured nine retired and current teachers and school managers with an Order of Australia medal for their enormous contribution to the teaching fraternity.
I believe the same can be done for teachers in Fiji.
Our teachers go far and beyond to teach the children, often with lack of resources and places that pose a challenge geographically.
As a former high school teacher, I have seen my colleagues go out of their way to help the children in need, become their greatest source of hope and motivation, render selfless service to the rural communities they serve and it is only best we recognise them annually.
One may wonder how will it be possible given that the Ministry of Education employs around 13,000 teachers.
Nominations by students would be the best way. Students mention the teachers who have made remarkable contribution in their lives and the best ones can be picked from there.
I hope our Madam PS and the Minister for Education dwell on this initiative to boost the morale of teachers.
I wish all the teachers the very best for the new academic year.
Happy teaching.
AVITESH D KUMAR
Ba
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