Agurchand Manmull Jain College, a Unit of Sri S.S. Jain Educational Society hosted its much-anticipated annual ceremony, Guru Dhakshina 2026 — a celebration of gratitude, recognising the teachers, at the Bhagwan Mahaveer Gyan Bhavan on Sep 22.
In a moment that moved the entire gathering, the college paid tribute to 135 school teachers, felicitating each one for years of dedication, patience and quiet sacrifice in shaping young minds across schools in and around Chennai. As every educator walked up to receive their token of appreciation, the hall broke into sustained applause, with many in the audience visibly moved — a fitting tribute to men and women who rarely receive the recognition their work deserves.
The ceremony was graced by an eminent panel of guests and dignitaries: Dr. Dhamu, Chief Guest — a disciple of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, celebrated film actor, motivational speaker and educationist and Mr. Sesha Sai, Guest of Honour — Founder of Farmguru Agritech, who spoke on gratitude, mentorship and the ripple effect of good teaching.
For the organisers, Guru Dhakshina is the institution’s way of pausing, once a year, to say thank you to the people who give the most and ask for the least in return. Bringing together 135 school teachers under one roof turned the afternoon into an emotional homecoming, with several teachers recalling students they had taught years ago and the small classroom moments that had stayed with them long after.
The ceremony featured a symbolic gesture of a student seeking blessings from a teacher, capturing the timeless Guru-Shishya tradition that lies at the heart of Indian education. The moment, met with visible emotion across the hall, set the tone for an evening centred on humility, respect and reflection.
