Srinagar, Sept. 19 -- By Syed Nissar H Gilani

When Teachers' Day comes on 5 September, I count my teachers, and the count begins with two people who charged nothing.

The first was my mother, who laid the foundation of my education at home. The second was an elderly neighbourhood woman known as utooun jee, who ran a free Quranic centre.

Such centres once flourished throughout Srinagar under the name Tchat hall, staffed by local Syeds, Pir families and learned respectables who taught small children without a fee, while wealthy households hired an Oukhoon for private lessons.

The city had both paid teachers and teachers who gave their time freely. My education began with the latter.

I have come to feel that those early lessons influence...