Teacher Appreciation Day, or Guruvandana, is a Hindu event in which students express "gratitude, respect, and reverence" for their teachers.PARSIPPANY, NJ — Local teachers recently got the recognition they deserved from their students at the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) organization’s annual teacher appreciation event.Teacher Appreciation Day, or Guruvandana, is a Hindu event in which students “express their gratitude, respect, and reverence for the teaching and guidance they receive from their te...
Teacher Appreciation Day, or Guruvandana, is a Hindu event in which students express "gratitude, respect, and reverence" for their teachers.
PARSIPPANY, NJ — Local teachers recently got the recognition they deserved from their students at the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) organization’s annual teacher appreciation event.
Teacher Appreciation Day, or Guruvandana, is a Hindu event in which students “express their gratitude, respect, and reverence for the teaching and guidance they receive from their teachers.”
On May 31, Hindu-American students of the greater Parsippany area nominated instructors who have resonated with them in the classroom. These teachers attended the Parsippany and Randolph events, where they got to partake in traditional Guruvandana customs.
According to the HSS, Guru, in Sanskrit, means “teacher, spiritual master, and mentor,” while Vandana means “salutations to the teacher.”
“In an era where students increasingly rely on the internet, it is more important than ever to recognize the invaluable role teachers play in shaping our students' holistic growth, ambition, overall development, and future success,” an HSS spokesperson said. “The event focuses on expressing gratitude to teachers for contributing to the community by imparting knowledge to and instilling moral values in the next generation.”
A total of 27 Morris County teachers were honored at the event, where they received recognition/appreciation certificates issued by the office of Congresswoman and gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill. Additionally, Parsippany Board of Education member Judy Mayer addressed the teachers and shared her appreciation for the event.
The event began with the ceremonial lighting of the oil lamp, symbolizing “the wisdom that teachers bring into our lives.”
Teachers and students enjoyed a photo booth, henna tattoos, and were even able to try on traditional clothing displays.
Guruvandana’s main event was the Teacher Felicitation Ceremony, in which students each pulled up their nominated instructor to perform "Guru Puja,” or teachers' worship.
Guru Puja entails students applying a tilak (a mark of vermilion) on their teacher’s forehead, then bowing before the teacher to bestow blessings and best wishes, according to the HSS.
The HSS is a non-profit cultural organization with over 250 chapters across the country. HSS organizes service activities and community outreach projects to promote “discipline, self-confidence, teamwork, and the spirit of selflessness.”