On 25th March, Cambridge Ramanujan Shakha of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS UK) hosted a vibrant and heartfelt Shikshak Vandan Divas — or Teacher Appreciation Day — at Cambourne Village College. Now in its fifth year, this annual event is a reflection of Hindutva (Hinduness): a way of life rooted in values such as respect for teachers, selfless service (sewa), and reverence for knowledge.

The event brought together over 25 teachers from a number of local schools including The Perse Upper School, Cambourne Village College, Monkfield Park Primary, Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology, and the Stephen Perse Foundation. Students and parents joined hands to express collective appreciation for the invaluable role that teachers play in shaping lives.

The celebration began with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, a sacred act in Hindu culture symbolising the removal of darkness and the pursuit of knowledge. This was followed by a prayer to Maa Saraswati, the goddess of learning — reflecting the ancient Hindu understanding that education is not just a transaction of knowledge, but a sacred, transformative relationship between teacher and student.

The event featured cultural performances and speeches by children, drawing applause and heartfelt smiles from the audience. The highlight of the day was the felicitation ceremony, where each teacher was personally honoured by students with tokens of appreciation and words of thanks — a simple yet profound act deeply embedded in Hindu culture, where the teacher (Guru) is often equated with divinity itself: Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheshwara.

Speaking on behalf of the teachers, Mrs. Howell, Head Teacher at Monkfield Park Primary, shared her admiration for the values being cultivated in the students. She said the event served as a moving reminder of the special relationship between teachers and learners, and praised the Shakha’s efforts in nurturing this respect from a young age.

Through such events, HSS UK continues to express Hindutva, which is not as a political identity, but a cultural ethos grounded in gratitude, discipline, and civic responsibility. In celebrating educators with such care and dignity, the Cambridge Ramanujan Shakha upheld a core principle of Hindu civilisation — that teachers are the guiding light of society, deserving not just thanks, but reverence.

This year’s Shikshak Vandan Divas was more than just a celebration. It was a living example of how Hindu values can be expressed in everyday life — reminding us all that when children grow up honouring their teachers, they grow into citizens who respect knowledge, community, and service.