“Gurudakshina” being seen having green impact in a small place at Rajasthan where a government school in the state practices a unique tradition of making their students plant trees in the premises as a payback to their teachers before they pass out , this is really a good initiative to keep the tradition of repaying one’s teacher or guru after a period of study giving acknowledgment, respect, and thanks to their teacher/guru.
Hardayal Government Upper Primary School in Sikar town, Rajasthan, has been doing this practice since 2006. As a result, the school has about 800 trees at present, including some growing small plants.
This guru dakshina tradition started by the then Principal Mahaveer Prasad Sain since from 2006, who was an environmentalist and that time there were only a couple of trees in the school premises.
The guru dakshina tradition of repaying one’s teacher after completion of formal education has thus given a remarkable green look to the surroundings area of this school. The school requests every student who passes class 8 to seek transfer certificates only after planting at least one tree, the present Principal Parmeshawari Devi said.
“We do not force students to do so. It is solely on their choice. But it is really good to know that a majority of students are following this religiously,” she said.
A student, Ajay Rastogi said “I planted two plants – one of Indian gooseberry (Amla) and other of Cestrum Nocturnum ( Raat ki Raani ) as guru dakshina. I really love to see them growing. Once I leave this school, my juniors will start to look after it and I will also try to visit the school occasionally to see my plants growing,”.
“Most of them plant at least two. It is also necessary for the student to hand over the responsibility of caring for the specific tree to some junior student,” said Parmeshawari Devi.
“To ensure that the tree is being properly taken care of, the students visit the school from time to time to supervise the progress,” she said. “Now almost each part of the school has a tree,” the principal added.
We wish every school should follow this tradition.
Source: IANS
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments