'Teachers should not only help children in their studies, but also help them shape their career paths and motivate them in their field of interests,' added Noroha, who is a teacher for more than three decades.

Students feel that if a teacher is friendlier and 'cool', studies become fun.

'A strict teacher is a fear factor in the classroom. If he or she bosses around with students, that simply hampers the students' studies as they won't be able to concentrate on their studies,' Vinay Pandya, a Class 10 student of a reputed Bangalore school, told IANS.

Echoing Vinay, a student of Mount Carmel College, Bangalore, said a friendlier teacher was a blessing for students.

'Today's teachers are young and dynamic and they understand the requirement of youngsters. Not only do they guide us in our studies, they also help us in making our career decisions and encourage us to explore our hobbies,' said Tanya P. of Mount Carmel College.

However, many feel that there is a flip side to it, as students are fast losing respect for the teachers.

'Today's children don't respect their teachers. They take teachers for granted. At times, students don't even bother to greet their teachers,' rued a college teacher.