Elena Diehl
Gisela-Gymnasium, München/Germany (2000) on 2017-11-27

Hello Madiha! Thank you for replying to my comment. When I read your reply, I was amazed by the way that people in India treat each other. Tara and I live in Germany, and here it isn't the norm that you have good and beneficial relationships with people you work with, such as teachers. But I think that us Germans can learn a lot from the Indian culture, especially when it comes to the way that we treat each other. Do you have any advice on how to strengthen your relationships with people like teachers? -Elena

Tara Schauer
Gisela-Gymnasium, München/Germany (1998) on 2017-10-25

Hello Madiha! Thank you for answering my questions! I think it`s amazing that people in India have so special bonds with eachother even workers etc. as you said. The civilization there seemes very open and loving! Which makes me even more excited and makes me like to visit India even more. Because I am really interested in getting to know other cultures and thats why after my Abitur I want to travel the world for example Asia, Australia and all around europe including India. I would love to visit India because first of all am obsessed with Indian food ;) and second of all I especially think the Indian culture is very inspiring and interesting, just as the climate and landscape and I would also like to learn the indian language (at least try, it appears very hard) What countries would you like to visit? And what languages do you speak?

Madiha Bakshi
Gurugram Public School, Gurgaon/India (2002) on 2017-10-25

Dear Elena &Tara Thanks a lot for your comments and raising your anxiety to know the relation between a student and a teacher. First of all I would like to inform you that in India we have special bonds with family, friends, neighbors, teachers , workers etc. This is in our culture. We respect each other and lot of interaction is there among us. But sometimes it varies from person to person. We spend 8 hours in the school and hence it becomes a part of our family. The teacher I have talked about in my poem is my French subject teacher. She is very polite, kind and listen to the students patiently and above all she is easily approachable. That is why everyone likes her and even take advice to solve their personal problems. We all are very open to her and she treats us like her own children. Madiha

Elena Diehl
Gisela-Gymnasium, München/Germany (2000) on 2017-10-12

Hello Madiha! I really enjoyed reading the poem you wrote. To me, a good teacher is not just a teacher. A good teacher is a person that teaches you about the topics of school alongside with lessons of life. There are certain things they don't teach you in school, such as respect, kindness and how to do your taxes. You can learn to do your taxes later on in life, but it is necessary to learn how to treat others with respect and how to behave in society early on in life. A good teacher should guide you on your journey to self-growth and your way of becoming an adult. Even if you aren't friends or even best friends with some of your teachers, it is still important to treat them with respect and kindness, which is a skill that you will greatly benefit from in your future. Having a teacher is a privilege that everyone should appreciate. And if your teacher is your best friend, you have the wonderful experience of having a person you can trust and that you can turn to whenever you need someone to talk to. Do you think more people should make an effort to be friends with their teachers? How did your teacher become your best friend? I would love to hear from you! -Elena

Tara Schauer
Gisela-Gymnasium, München/Germany (1998) on 2017-09-26

Hello Madiha! I think it is very touching and interesting that you have such a great bond with your teacher and even call him your “friend”. Is it common in India that you get on so well with your teacher? Do you have more teachers or only one for all subjects? Because I go to the Gisela Gymnasium in Germany and I have many different teachers for different subjects. But I only see them in school and I really just see them as my teachers and of course I like them but I wouldn`t call them my friends. I would be happy if you could explain more specifically in what way they are your “friends”?

Not Just A Teacher
by Madiha Bakshi (2002) Gurugram Public School, Gurgaon/India on 2017-08-26

NOT JUST A TEACHER, MY FRIEND

I had no where to turn,

 had no where to go,

This is just same thing,

I think you need to know.

As each day grew longer,

Our trust became stronger.

You at least ask me if I am fine.

Even though sometimes I am not.

I feel like I have just been shot,

I smile and say Yes’ I’m alright.

I am so glad that you were there,

When I was sad.

And this is what makes you,

Not just a teacher, My Friend.

 

Madiha Bakshi