Waking up at 7am on weekdays to brush and rush to school may not be the most fun activity ever. But, once you’re in the classroom, watching your favourite teacher explain maths using letters or explaining what mitochondria are (we’re not going there), waking up early seems less of a chore. And after one passes out from school, it is these classroom moments one remembers and you reminisce that bond you shared with your teachers.
To capture these magical moments, My Kolkata lists a few advertisements that have highlighted these special bonds over the years.
A Natural Bond by Parle-G (2024)
Do we remember our first teacher in school? Or, do teachers remember their first batch? Parle-G captured this emotion in a touching film where a retiring teacher's dream of meeting her first batch again finally comes true. A girl from the class of 2025 notices her teacher admiring the trees in the school garden. When she asks why, the teacher reveals that each tree represents a student from her first batch in 1995. Inspired, the student surprises her by reuniting her with that very batch as a heartfelt farewell gift.
Each Child is Special by Aditya Birla Group (2023)
Each child has their own learning curve, a concept beautifully illustrated in this Aditya Birla Group ad. A little girl in class is often distracted, gazing out the window instead of focussing on lessons. Noticing this, her teacher asks what fascinates her outside. The girl mentions the sky, birds and trees. The teacher then cleverly connects this interest to books, explaining that they offer even more to explore. Inspired, the girl later chooses to read her book on the bus instead of gazing out the window, embracing her new ‘Window to the World.’
Keeping In Touch by Bandhan Bank (2020)
One of the most heartwarming gestures an ex-student can make, even amidst a busy life, is to wish the teachers who shaped them. Bandhan Bank captured this beautifully in an ad where a group of former classmates surprises their teacher on a video call for Teachers’ Day. The ad begins with a son asking his mother, a teacher, if she remembers her students. She fondly recalls her 1999 batch, and just as she wishes they’d reach out, her son surprises her with a video call from the entire class, bringing back nostalgic memories.
Second Parents by Sunfeast Mom’s Magic (2018)
Teachers often step in as second parents, whether it’s tending to a wound, solving problems, or dealing with tiffin issues. This nurturing role is highlighted in a Sunfeast Mom’s Magic biscuit ad. After class, while everyone heads to lunch, one boy stays behind to finish his homework. When his teacher asks why he isn’t joining, he reveals that his father was too rushed to pack his lunch. The teacher then gently shares that she also forgot her tiffin and invites him to enjoy lunch together, offering comfort and care and, of course, the biscuit pack.
Marks Don’t Define All by Cadbury Bournvita (2016)
The pressure to achieve top marks can be overwhelming, especially for students who aren’t naturally academically inclined. In 2016, Bournvita launched its Badam Booster with the ‘Tayyari Har Exam Ki’ campaign, encouraging parents to prioritise learning over report card numbers. The ad features a school principal addressing parents, reminding them that she only scored 58% in school yet became a principal. She emphasises that marks are just numbers, and the true focus should be on the love of learning. This ad is both humbling and hopeful for students who struggle academically.
Amusing and A Musical Wish by Titan (2014)
Many of us fondly remember Titan’s ‘The Joy of Gifting’ ad from a decade ago. In this memorable commercial, students in a classroom surprise their professor by spontaneously breaking into an a cappella performance of the Titan theme, using desks and books as instruments. The professor, initially confused, is touched when a student presents him with a scrapbook filled with well-wishes for his retirement, along with a Titan watch. This heartfelt gesture brings tears to his eyes and likely stirs similar emotions in viewers, inspiring them to reconnect with their own teachers.
