Book excerpt: 1.0 INTRODUCTION Historically, teachers played a vital role in shaping the destiny of society and promoting the causes of peace in different classes. In ancient India, 'Teacher' or 'Guru' was called a spiritual leader and was looked upon as an ideal in the society. He was the leader of the society and even a 'King' came to him for guidance. The teacher should be a sheet anchor to society amidst the tumult of social change. 'Being a teacher', he is to be a change agent transforming ideas into ideals and ideals into institutions which may spread the light of knowledge and wisdom into eternity. It is the teacher who helps to transform an individual into a person of imagination, wisdom, human-love and enlightenment; the institutions into lamp-posts for posterity; and the country into a learning society. It is fortunate for us to have been born in a country of great teachers like Mahaveer, Buddha, Shankara, Ramanuja and Mahatma Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the father of Indian nation.