The residents of FE Block gathered for a contributory breakfast meet on a recent Sunday, but among them some were being treated as special invitees. Some teach in or have retired from school or college. Some teach alternative therapy. Some others teach music. In a word, they were all teachers by profession.

While many blocks organise the customary Vijaya Sammelani right after Durga puja, the highly multi-cultural FE Block holds a Vijaya-Chhat-Deepawali one. “This is our 11th year and we have always used the occasion to felicitate people from specific professions who serve our society. The nominees need not be block residents. Earlier, we have felicitated personnel from the Bidhannagar south police station. Another year, it was the turn of the sweepers of our ward. Last year, it was doctors from the block. This time we are felicitating about 50 teachers,” said Rajiv Chongoiwal, one of the organisers.

Bharati Ray of FE Block

The best-known face was that of Asim Dasgupta. The economics professor may be better-known as a former state finance minister but his students at Calcutta University would vouch for the quality of his class lectures. “Such chances to get together with neighbours are rare. It is a grand gathering. The atmosphere should be such that everyone would get a chance to express their views,” he said, adding he had suggested combining the three festivals for such a gathering a decade back.

Though there were several elderly folks on the list, the oldest recipient was possibly Bharati Roy. The 90-year-old had taught at several government schools, including Hare, Hindu and Alipore Multipurpose School for 35 years.

Gitashree Banerjee, at 88, came a close second. “I completed my MA at 22 and started teaching at 24,” said the lady who retired from South Calcutta Girls’ College. She came supported by her daughter, Ishita Banerjee, who was getting felicitated too. “I am here on a sabbatical year,” said the history teacher at Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico.

Manjushree Ghosh, 75, came up with a walking stick. A founder-teacher at Salt Lake School, she taught physics till her retirement in 2010. “I had joined in 1979, when the school opened,” she recalled.

Mahua Kundu is a fresh inductee in the superannuation club. “I retired just six months ago as the head of the English department at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,” said the lady.

Some were current teachers too, like Baishali Roychowdhury who teaches mathematics and science in the primary section at The Heritage School. “It is the first time someone thought of teachers,” she smiled.

Gitashree Banerjee and her daughter Ishita Banerjee at the breakfast table after the felicitation

Snegdhendu Satpati asked for the mic to deliver a lengthy speech on who could be called a teacher. “One has to prepare oneself to become a teacher. One’s parents are, and even Nature is a teacher,” he said, adding that in his view Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar was the greatest teacher from India.

The felicitation included teachers in diverse fields. Rekha Agarwal was congratulated by several neighbours. “I am walking because of her,” said Sangita Toshniwal, shaking her hand. “I am meeting so many of my patients here,” said the yoga teacher.

“Teaching is not just limited to academic subjects. Anyone learning something from someone is a student of the person,” said Chanchal Agarwal, an acupressure therapist. Soumen Roychowdhury, another teacher to be felicitated, teaches Rabindrasangeet and classical music as well as Sanskrit pronunciation for reading aloud The Gita.

The buffet spread had sumptuous vegetarian fare, including both north Indian and south Indian items.