Teaching is a very noble profession that shapes the character, calibre, and future of an individual. If the people remember me as a good teacher, that will be the biggest honour for me.” ~ APJ Abdul Kalam.

Many teachers are fighting against the odds daily to light the bulb of knowledge and wisdom in the corners of India. These teachers are the guiding lights who tirelessly work to enlighten young minds and shape the future of the nation. Their dedication and innovative approaches to teaching in the face of adversity are nothing short of heroic. For us, these are the inspiring teachers, and here we bring you their unconventional stories.

The stories of these revolutionary teachers are a powerful reminder of the transformative power of teaching and the remarkable difference one person can make in the lives of many. Without much wait, let’s explore these teachers day inspirational stories, a tribute to these heroes who shape the future with unwavering passion.

Anand Kumar

How can you not mention this name in a blog about the “Stories of Most Inspiring Teachers”? Anand Kumar’s incredible journey inspired the film Super 30. Anand, a gifted student with a love for mathematics, faced financial hardships that prevented him from attending Cambridge University. In 2000, he launched the Super 30 programme to help underprivileged students prepare for the IIT Joint Entrance Examination. His dedication even caught the attention of the Discovery Channel, which featured him in a documentary in 2009.

Aditya Kumar

From Lucknow to Ranchi, Aditya cycled to spread awareness about the importance of education amongst the lowest section of society. He teaches mathematics and language to students who cannot afford to go to school. For his valuable contributions, he has been lauded by former UP CM Mr Akhilesh Yadav.

Rajesh Kumar Sharma

Determination knows no boundaries, proves Rajesh Kumar Sharma. A college dropout who runs a general store, Rajesh teaches nearly 200 students under a metro rail flyover near the Yamuna Bank station in Delhi. Starting in 2007, his initiative grew into a full-fledged school.

Abdul Malik

Abdul Malik, a teacher from Malappuram, swims across a muddy river every day, holding his clothes, shoes, and lunch above the water to reach his school by 9 a.m. When asked why he chooses this route, he explains that while taking a bus would take him three hours, swimming gets him there in just 15 minutes. His dedication to his students caught the attention of many, and a well-wisher even donated a fibreglass boat to help him. His unwavering commitment makes him a perfect fit for this Teachers’ Day story blog!

Babar Ali

There is no perfect age to start teaching, and Babar Ali proves just that. At 16, while still a student himself, he was recognised by the BBC as the “youngest headmaster in the world” for running a school in Murshidabad, West Bengal, India. Today, his school serves 800 children with the help of 10 teachers. Now 24, Babar has received many honours for his inspiring work.

Arvind Gupta

An alumnus of IIT-Kanpur, Arvind is a believer in “small positive actions rather than empty rhetoric.” He developed an idea for turning trash into toys and experiments to make learning a fun experience. He also wrote a book about this initiative and delivered a TED talk.

Roshni Mukherjee

Roshni Mukherjee launched her YouTube channel, Exam Fear, in 2011 to make learning less daunting for students. She began creating easy-to-follow videos on key topics in Physics, Chemistry, Maths, and Biology for classes 9 to 12. Her straightforward teaching style quickly gained a following, and today her channel has about 954,000 subscribers and over 6,100 videos. Roshni’s effort has made it easier for countless students to approach their studies with confidence.

Vimla Kaul

When listing inspiring teachers in India, Vimla Kaul unquestionably secures a cherished spot! Having retired from the teaching profession, she reneged on it immediately and started teaching disadvantaged students. She also started her school in a 4-room apartment called “Guldasta.” Her husband joined her till his demise in 2009.

Bharti Kumari

Another example of there is no age to become a teacher. Bharti started to oversee the school in the village of Kusumbhara at the age of 12. Apart from attending school, she teaches English, Hindi, and Maths under a mango tree. Thereby, she is the rightful holder of the title “Youngest headmistress” of the world.

Barun Biswas

In the remote village of Sutia, West Bengal, where political crimes and violence were widespread, Barun stood up against the system. He believed that education was the only way to bring change for the children of poor farmers. He taught them and spoke out against local criminals, which led to his tragic death in 2012. Despite this, his story exposed the injustice in the area and caught the attention of the media.

Moitur Rahman Khan

Teaches students for the IAS, IPS and IRS for a sum of Rs.11: Last on our list of motivating teachers is Moitur Rahman Khan from Patna, who coaches aspiring IAS, IPS, and IRS students for just a sum of Rs. 11.

Prof Sandeep Desai

He begs in the famous local trains for Mumbai to collect funds for his English-medium schools for the underprivileged in rural Maharashtra and Rajasthan. He shows laminated newspaper clippings for the authenticity of his charity, Shloka.

Wrapping Up

With this, we reach the end of our blog. These inspiring teachers have guided countless students to follow their dreams and stand up for what’s right, truly showing that “Teaching is noble.” They may have also reminded you of your own mentors who have played a significant role in your life. So, on 5th September, take a moment to celebrate the incredible teachers who have left a lasting mark on you. Delight them with special Teacher’s Day cakes or surprise them with a thoughtful gift to express your gratitude in a memorable way. Let’s honour these wonderful educators who continue to shape lives every day.