A REAL teacher is a role model who besides teaching influences students through personal conduct. The moral training and character building of students cannot be done through mere sermons. The teacher has to be a role model and a sterling one at that.

I found such a teacher in my MA classes. Professor Eric Cyprian, B.Lit (Oxford), was a teacher who taught tens of thousands of students as well as influenced their minds. His was a towering personality.

Even in the company of giants like Prof Dr Nazir Ahmed (legendary principal of Government College, Lahore) and Faiz Ahmed Faiz he shone like a beacon light.

Professor Cyprian taught me to be original. To always be kind towards others and make allowances for others and expect little from others.

This may not mean much, but I and countless others are indebted to him for enriching our lives and teaching us to live for others more than ourselves.

Cdr (r) M. Qasim Hussain

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2019