Devotees performing ‘Kapilarathi’ on the banks of River Kapila with devotion, as part of the teachers’ camp organized by the Jagadguru Sri Veerasimhasana Mahasamsthana Math, Sri Shivarathreeshwara Dharmika Datti, and JSS Mahavidyapeetha at Sri Sutturkshetra. Participants lit lamps and offered prayers to the sacred river.
Suttur, April 9, 2025: “Teachers are the people who turn garbage into juice,” remarked Sri B.V. Vasanthkumar, Professor and former President of the Karnataka Sahitya Akademi, while addressing participants at a teachers’ camp organized by JSS Mahavidyapeetha at Sri Sutturkshetra.
Speaking on the occasion, Sri Vasanthkumar emphasized that every student possesses immense talent, and it is the teacher’s duty to identify and nurture it. “Teaching should be engaging and meaningful. If there is no essence in education, it becomes monotonous. A student will never forget a teacher who teaches with passion,” he said. He further encouraged teachers to create a conducive learning atmosphere and increase students’ interest through dynamic teaching methods. Highlighting the importance of emotional connection in pedagogy, he advised teachers to use the concept of Navarasas to touch the hearts and souls of their students.
Sri G.L. Tripurantaka, Coordinating Officer, also addressed the gathering and spoke about the significance of effective communication in the classroom. “Communication is an art, and when integrated into teaching methods, it enhances classroom effectiveness,” he said. He noted that conveying ideas with emotion is particularly crucial while teaching languages. In addition to proper vocabulary and pronunciation, body language plays an essential role in teaching, he added. “Such methods make teaching impactful. Good communication also strengthens social bonding. Listening skills are equally important, as they help foster closer relationships,” he observed.
As part of the camp, participants engaged in a variety of enriching activities including mass prayers, yoga, and traditional desi games. In the evening, they visited the shrine of the Swamiji, Sri Someshwara Temple, and other sacred places to seek blessings. They also visited the ICAR JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, where they gathered valuable insights into various crops. The day concluded with devotional Kapilarathi prayers on the banks of the Kapila River, followed by a cultural program presented by the participants.
A total of 141 teachers took part in the camp, benefiting from its spiritually and professionally enriching sessions.