25th Teachers Day

At the outset I wish all our teachers a very 'Happy Teachers Day'. It is said that 

a good teacher explains, 

a superior teacher demonstrates and 

a great teacher inspires!  

I salute all my teachers who have inspired me in my life.

With all humble feelings I would like to tell you all that this year's Teachers Day marks the completion of 25 years of my career as a trainer and teacher in the banking industry.  It was on 3rd Sep 1993 

that I reported as a faculty for my mother institution i.e. Indian Bank.  My banking faculty journey continued as a freelancer and founder faculty for IFBI_NIIT, Bengaluru.  Presently I am with Manipal Academy of BFSI, Bengaluru. I thank all these great institutions for providing me the opportunity.

I fondly recall my students who were either seasoned banking professionals or budding bankers.  I proudly remember many of my early students who have now become top executives in banks. I 

have experienced greatest moments in my life when my old students have recognized me and spoken to me with a thankful feeling for what little I had taught to them.

During these 25 years I have seen great transformation in the way 

training is imparted to trainees. Black board-Chalk piece classrooms have given way to high tech classrooms and Labs.  Lecturing method has given way to imparting skills through activities and games.  Training has now become customized keeping in mind the needs of modern banks.  Therefore for me my career as a trainer is that of continuous learning and skill up-gradation along with my students!

A teacher's strength lies in his preparation for the day.  I have realized that 'a teacher is as good as his preparation for the day' and one can't sit on past laurels!  

I also fondly remember all my faculty colleagues who have guided me through this long journey.  I remember Mr. Jayashankar of Indian Bank who guided me during my early days.  I also remember  

Dr. Amaranath of Indian Bank (down left) whom I would like to respect as the 'Guru of Gurus'.  Through my good friend Mr. Nagesha K.S. (down right) I learnt what is sincerity in training and how to do multi-tasking.  Top above is Mr. Keshava Murthy who is presently my colleague.  He is a power house of knowledge.  He has taught me the essence of sense of humour.  He has also initiated me to the world of blog-writing and he himself is a great writer.

I also remember with respect Mr. Rahul Aradhya (centre above) who was once my Assistant Faculty and presently my Boss!  Under his leadership I have designed and introduced new activities like 'field visits, out-door classes and blind-fold activity' to impart selling skills to students.

My organization has also given me opportunity to introduce inter-vertical activities setting competition among future bankers and insurance professionals (BFSI students).  During 4th Dec 2014, I designed and introduced the contest named 'GAMES TRAINERS PLAY' which was a contest for teams consisting of faculty members and students. I may not be wrong if I say it was first of its kind in the entire banking industry.

A couple of years ago when I was watching the popular TV show 'Bigg Boss', the creative child in me thought of adopting it as a 

contest among teams of our BFSI students. With the support of my present Boss Mr. Balasubramaniam, colleagues and my students I could conduct this contest under the name 'Big B.O.S.S.' (where B.O.S.S. stands for BFSI Officer's Skill Set)

on 24th August 2018.  It was 'reality show' wherein our 9 participating teams were exposed to 4 different live situations by the Big B.O.S.S. of the event (see pic above).

The four events were the 'Kitchen event, Field event, Sales event and the event of creating their own BFSI company'. Students participation was much beyond our expectations. Especially in

the Sales event our contesting teams sold physical and service goods and earned a profit of Rs.8,547 within a short period of 90 minutes.  

As declared earlier the entire profits were sent towards Kerala Flood Relief Fund. Speaking out of my experience in the banking 

industry as a faculty, once again I can say that such a reality show as a contest may be first of its kind in the entire BFSI industry.  I am thankful to my colleagues, students and my organization who have made it possible through my humble services.

Last but not the least I proudly would like to record that I am from a family of teachers.  My grand father was a teacher.  My three 

sisters and one brother (Mr. Ramesha K, first left in Pic,  Inspiring Sports Teacher) are teachers.  Two days ago my son      Dr. Subhash has joined as an Assistant Professor in the reputed Warwickshire University, Birmingham, UK.  Therefore it is a rare occasion wherein both father and his son are serving as teachers at one time!
                                  

Long live the fraternity of teachers
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