A Tribute To The Great Teacher Poem by Satis Datta

A worthy successor to Tagore and Vivekananda,

Upholding the prestige of Mother India

Once again strengthened your countrymen,

We salute you, take it and bless,

Everybody born on this earth is a learner,

Not only teachers so, but all should follow you

To depollute and beautify the earth;



A professor, a philosopher-statesman, a thinker,

A reader, a scholar, a writer, a speaker,

A befitting adorner of many a chair,

Adjectives buzz about and round you gather,

Lo! the person of words and wisdom maintains temper,

India’s Ambassador, Vice-president and finally President

In your real self could not make any dent;



Speeches and writings yours unite East and West,

Suggesting what to give and what to take,

The evolution of a World Soul is no impossible idea,

If we are in harmony with each other and remember

Compassion and sympathy pervade the works of the mind finer;

Religious tolerance is a hallowed tradition here,

Science and religion are complementary to one another,

O, proclaimer, you are a phenomenon;

With your fervour, poise and fire

You’ve played multifarious roles to our wonder,

Oration tinged with wisdom turns sermon,

O, evangelist, spontaneously listeners bow before the shrine;



The hoard bequeathed augmented manifold

Has reached us, help us, O, philosopher,

To bear the mantle conferred on us.