In January 2022, 2 things happened which really made me happy.
One my juniors in Office, who I know since 2014 and has been working under me since then got promoted to a higher grade. For the promotion, he had to qualify a written examination and a personal interview. It was his third attempt and probably his last. He had narrowly missed being qualified for the exam in all the two times. I knew he had potential and was a sincere guy. We were constantly working together for the examination. But somehow he used to fail. In 2020, when he did not qualify for the written part of the examination, he was so demotivated and depressed that he did not have the courage to talk to me or face me. On a December morning that year, we had met in the park near our quarters and I had advised him not to lose hope and try again with an sense of purpose / mission. ('Junoon" is the hindi word we had used). In 2021 he got selected. He visited my house on 16th January and profusely thanked me for the small contribution I had made.
In the second incident, when I was in the Learning and Development Center of the refinery, one 22 year old came and greeted me by touching my feet. I was surprised to see him since he was a trainee few years ago under me doing his 1 year industrial training. He had succeeded his examination and was joining our corporation.
2 other person I know, always wish me on teachers day, every year since 2014. Both are working, one in Infosys and other in some government NGO. During 2013, I had taught them Physics, for helping them prepare for JEE.
To be true, my contribution in all the above stories are minuscule as compared to the effort they have put. We all have persons in our lives, who help us climb the ladder of success. Some are with us throughout our lives and some are with us for a brief periods. They can be any one, your parents, teachers, siblings, relatives or friends. Sometimes you do not even know that they have helped.
It is a great feeling to have helped someone achieve their potential or dream. Be that person. Start with your children & relatives and help them achieve excellence. Be a mentor. If you have a mentor, then also try to succeed in life since it will definitely make them happy.
The day my junior thanked me for his success, it made me immensely proud and happy, more than when I get promoted. The feeling is priceless. Another priceless feeling is when your mentors are proud of your achievement. One day in March 2020, one of my Primary school teacher I met in a function introduced me to her colleagues as a highlight of her teaching career. That compliment, till today, is the best complement of my life.
Always be a mentor and a mentee, because life is a process of learning and try to be the best version of yourself.
*****
