NEW DELHI: For lakhs of children across India, it was the Prime Minister's long-distance paathshala. On Teacher's Day, Narendra Modi became the first PM after Jawaharlal Nehru to directly reach out to school kids. He cracked jokes, recounted childhood pranks - he used to staple the clothes of two people standing next to each other during weddings — and imparted life's lessons.
In a manner of speaking, the new saffron mascot sought to position himself as Masterji Modi after Chacha Nehru.
Modi also lamented the diminishing value of Teacher's Day, the shortage of good teachers and wondered aloud whether India could dream of "exporting" high-quality teachers one day. He recalled a Chinese saying: "Those who plan for a year, sow grain. Those who think 10 years ahead, plant fruit trees. And those who think of future generations, invest in human beings."
With students being future voters and teachers being a five million odd strong constituency, the 90-minute interaction via video-conferencing looks like a decent future investment electorally too.
In a manner of speaking, the new saffron mascot sought to position himself as Masterji Modi after Chacha Nehru.
Modi also lamented the diminishing value of Teacher's Day, the shortage of good teachers and wondered aloud whether India could dream of "exporting" high-quality teachers one day. He recalled a Chinese saying: "Those who plan for a year, sow grain. Those who think 10 years ahead, plant fruit trees. And those who think of future generations, invest in human beings."
With students being future voters and teachers being a five million odd strong constituency, the 90-minute interaction via video-conferencing looks like a decent future investment electorally too.
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