Gurupurnima – Inspiring Lessons
Passion, perseverance and a flair for building relationships with students are pre-requisites for the kind of teachers that the world needs.
Mayur Dumasia is one such teacher who despite his disability has inspired and guided many students who look up to him as their ‘Guru’. On the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima here is a reminder for every teacher about the difference they make in the life of their students.
He lost his right hand in a railway accident at the age of 15. He was shattered and attempted suicide but thanks to the rock-steady support of his father and brother, he gradually picked-up the threads back to life.
Since his right hand was amputated, he had to start over completely. He started to use his left hand to do the basic chores of daily life. It took him nearly a year to write a complete sentence and thus was able continue further studies. He says with astonishment and pride that today he is able to teach students Finance at the Graduation level and can extensively write some really tough financial calculations on the blackboard.
As Asst. Professor at the Abhinav Degree College of Arts, he says, “Teachers must never give up on their students and they must never give up on themselves. Teaching is one of the hardest jobs, but it is also one of the most rewarding jobs. Teachers need to be that role model and tell their kids to never give up on pursuing their dreams.”
Mayur is popular among his students not because he is the only disabled professor but also for the fact that he is currently a Batsman in the Indian Disabled Cricket Team and has played some winning innings in International Cricket Tournaments. He always takes time out for his students after class and motivates them not only to excel in studies but also extra-curricular activities and counsels them on various other issues.
On this auspicious Guru Purnima Day his message to all students is “What the mind can conceive, it can achieve…I being a disabled person can achieve this much in life, trust me you guys can achieve a lot more”.
