As I was reflecting on Teachers' Day, it popped into my mind that Indian leaders are claiming our country to be a "Vishwaguru," which directly translates to "teacher of the world." It is nothing short of hilarious that India wants others to learn from it. What is it that India has to offer to the world that is worth learning today? A genuine introspection of actual facts reveals the decay that our society is in today. The putrid stench of the rot permeates the whole country, but we are so attuned to our affliction that we fail to realise it.

It is profoundly disturbing to note that education in India is failing miserably. Indians are increasingly becoming literate but have failed to grow in every other aspect despite what the ruling dispensation would have us believe. Education in India is quite literally "feeding the mind." The quality of this "feed" might vary greatly across different strata and sections of society. Nevertheless, it is still devoid of moral education.

What is even more disconcerting is that the BJP-RSS is trying to subvert what little remains of scientific and moral thought that remains in the education system. The National Education Policy (NEP), based on the Hindutva ideology, is designed to destroy the country internally by teaching absurdity and superstition. There is no one to question it as the RSS has already inserted its elements into the whole machinery of the country. Recent events, even at "top institutions" of learning, are eye-openers.

The most visible sign of the decay is the moral corruption. The increasing number of assaults on women taking place all over the country is not out of the blue. The majority religion of the country worships goddesses and yet condones violence against women. The same group of people who forcefully installs statues of the goddess Saraswati in Christian schools also garland rapists and murderers and vote criminals to their top posts.

It is in this context that the role of true teachers is revealed. What India needs is true teachers capable of teaching truth in the face of a compilation of lies being forced upon them. Our understanding of a teacher must outgrow someone who barfs out the information they swallowed somewhere. Teachers are meant to be mentors who guide and facilitate students in their search for the truth and even go beyond to ensure that misinformation is countered. It is necessary for teachers in India today to fight vehemently, reveal truths, and teach critical thinking, which the rulers are attempting to erase for their benefit.

It would be helpful to remember that Indians are leaving the country for better opportunities and life, not because other countries are importing them to learn from them. Most Indians want to lead a life better than what their motherland has to offer. Even a nincompoop would gladly agree that the status of Vishwaguru is not even on the horizon for India. If we continue living in the delusions fed by the Modiji and his ilk, the nation will only be going towards oblivion. Let our teachers awake to reality and rise above caste, religion and everything else that shrouds the truth in its shadows.