In today’s India, we often speak about the future — of the nation, of our children, of society. But who truly shapes this future? Not politicians or industrialists, not even scientists, but the school teacher. The teacher stands between the wisdom of past generations and the potential of the next. Every lesson is more than mathematics or history; it is preparation for life.
And yet, one truth troubles us: very few teachers in India are serious readers of good books. They earn their degrees, secure positions, and enter classrooms with the mindset of salaried employees. Teaching becomes a job, not a calling. But teaching is not like any other profession. It does not produce goods or services — it produces generations of citizens.
A teacher who does not read is like a doctor who never updates his knowledge. Reading is the lifeblood of teaching. It should extend far beyond textbooks — into history, philosophy, literature, science, and biography. Only then can teachers broaden the horizons of their students.
Children quickly sense whether a teacher is intellectually alive. A line from Gandhi, a story from Tagore, or an image from Carl Sagan brings lessons alive. That spark comes only from reading. Without it, teaching slips into rote instruction — dull, mechanical, uninspiring.
Sadly, our schools are filled with teachers who stop at the syllabus. The lesson ends where the exam begins. Only a handful inspire beyond the textbook. A recent case illustrates this decline: a century-old public school advertised for a headmaster. Over 200 applied, but not one stood out for vision or scholarship. The final choice was made not for intellectual merit, but for institutional familiarity. This shows how shallow our pool of committed educators has become.
The consequences are serious. If teachers are not readers, students are denied role models. They may earn degrees, but they will not learn to think critically or imagine boldly. The teacher is the living textbook. Students may forget details of lessons, but they never forget a teacher’s example of curiosity and depth. If teachers stop reading, we risk raising generations equally uninspired.
We must revive a culture of reading among teachers. Schools should encourage them to read at least one serious book a month, and hold discussions around it. Training programs should include exposure to literature, philosophy, and history. Teacher book clubs and reading circles should be as common as student activities. Above all, society must respect teaching as a vocation that demands constant learning, and provide libraries, resources, and time for it.
To every teacher reading this: when did you last pick up a book outside your subject? If the answer troubles you, let that discomfort spark change. Read not for exams or promotions, but for your own growth and for your students.
India’s future depends on what kind of teachers its children meet. If teachers rediscover the joy of reading, they will once again become intellectual leaders. Let this issue be a challenge: pick up a book, read it, and share it with your students. In doing so, you light the path for the nation’s future. For in every classroom, the teacher’s mind becomes the seedbed of the nation’s destiny.