Learning is a lifelong process, and mentors follow us at every stage—from childhood to adulthood, in classrooms and beyond. Guru Purnima is a day set aside to honour these guides, be they teachers, parents, peers, or life itself. On our journey, it is our mentors who plant the seed of knowledge, helping us cultivate its fruits over time.
To mark Guru Purnima 2025, Patriot spoke to people across Delhi who chose to honour their mentors by sharing their personal stories.
The greatest teacher: Life itself
From our first breath to our last, life offers lessons in unexpected ways. Along with opportunities and obstacles, it gives us people who help us make sense of it all. Himani Sharma, a 20-year-old student at Delhi University, sees life itself as her ultimate teacher.
“Life—complex, unpredictable, and beautifully unscripted—teaches in ways no classroom ever could,” said Sharma. “It teaches us constantly, through moments of heartbreak and breakthroughs. It does not come with a syllabus. The tests come first and the lessons later. From its unpredictability, we learn that plans don’t always unfold as we imagine—but somehow, we still end up where we’re meant to be.
“And, most of all, growth is far from graceful. It is messy, uncomfortable, and often invisible—until one day, we look back and realise just how far we’ve come. But life doesn’t teach us alone. It sends people to act as mirrors, guides, and companions on this journey. So this Guru Purnima, I honour life not just for its lessons, but for its messengers. To the people who have shaped me without standing at a podium—thank you. You’ve taught me more than you’ll ever know.”
Our first teachers: Parents
Parents are our earliest mentors. They do not simply bring us into the world, but stay beside us to help us navigate it. From supporting our first steps to becoming the pillars of our values, their influence is enduring.
Minna Ann Jacob, a Delhi resident, reflects on how her most important teachers have always been her parents.
“My mother has been my constant source of strength, always cheering me on for even the smallest successes and offering quiet comfort during moments of failure,” said Jacob. “Moulding my nervous younger self into the ambitious and confident girl I am today is all thanks to her patience and unconditional love.
“As for my father, he is someone I have always looked up to. I used to worry a lot about my marks, and every time I scored less, I would cry. But I still remember the time he told me, ‘The world doesn’t belong only to successful people—those who fail must learn to move forward.’ I have always carried his advice with me and honestly, it helped me to pull through moments of failure.”
Those who shape our childhood: School teachers
School is where many of us first step into the world beyond home. The early days of schooling are often daunting, filled with unfamiliar faces. But every now and then, a teacher helps ease the transition—offering not just lessons, but a sense of belonging.
Raizal remembers her 7th grade class teacher, Clementina Lal, with deep affection.
“I remember I came to Delhi alone and with no friends whatsoever,” she said. “The transfer in 5th grade was a blow because I had just made friends in my previous school and had to leave them behind. It took me some time to adjust and understand the situation.
“In 7th grade, however, I met my idol, Mrs Clementina Lal, my class teacher who taught us English. She was probably the only person I wanted to see all year round. I would wait for a new day to start just to hear her teach and crack little jokes here and there.
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“I never carried a lunchbox to school and she would make me sit outside the classroom and eat her lunch, which she would sometimes pack extra of for me. Like a second mother, she was there supporting me, telling me what to do with my career after school. She showed me opportunities, told me what suited me best. I owe this woman all I have up to date. To my second mother, all I have to say is thank you for making me the person I am today. I owe you my life and success.”
Facing the future: High school teachers
The end of school is marked by uncertainty. Board exams loom, and the safety of a familiar building gives way to the unknown. In these moments, students turn to teachers for reassurance and courage.
Pragati Ghai and Priyanshi Arora, both students from Delhi, recall how their high school teachers supported them through difficult times.
“During my 12th grade I was struggling with self-doubt regarding my academics,” said Ghai. “My class teacher reassured me so much and comforted me through. Once, I called her ‘mumma’ in front of the entire class. It’s something preschool kids do to express how close they are to their teacher. And I was so glad that it naturally came out of me. I hope my teacher knows how much I love and appreciate her.”
Arora recalled her English teacher’s influence. “I met Kamna ma’am, our English teacher in 12th grade,” she said. “When she was organising a debate competition at school, I felt hesitant about applying. But she motivated me, even made me practise in front of the whole class, even though my legs would shake.
“I cried when I went home, thinking how I would speak in front of so many people. But when I went on stage at last, I found her in the audience and went on to speak my speech. And it went fine. It’s still one of my favourite memories—how due to one teacher, I could break free from my social anxiety. I am forever grateful to her. I’ll never forget you, Kamna ma’am.”
College days: University professors
University marks a new chapter—intellectually demanding, emotionally overwhelming. Amid unfamiliar classes and new freedoms, professors often become steady anchors.
Deviyani Singh Chandel, a former student at Jesus and Mary College, remembers how one professor transformed her academic life.
“‘GOOD MORNING MY JMC ENGLISH HONOURS FIRST YEAR STUDENTS’—that’s what she said to us on the very first day,” said Chandel. “It was an online class, but you could feel her energy even through the monotonous grey of the screen and my lockdown life. This energy continued to light up my life till the very last day of college.
“Attending her lectures broadened my worldview in a way I will carry for the rest of my life. Even her 9 AM lectures made me want to carry 10 extra books, just so I could get a reading of it but only from HER.
“After classes, sitting with her, just talking, absorbing all her knowledge—which she so profoundly narrated, in a beautiful fashion as if it was all happening in front of me—was a privilege. Her deep, everlasting love for cinema, music, theatre and books was infectious.
“So, here’s to Professor Amrita Bhalla, as I like to refer to her as my Professor McGonagall—who, for all those three years, has shaped my life in ways she will never know. She taught me how to live in Delhi and turned it into Dilli for me. A true gift and an unforgettable experience!”
Beyond the classroom: Mentors who find us
Education may formally end, but learning does not. Life keeps throwing lessons at us, often in the form of people who arrive at just the right time.
Akshit Gambhir, a resident of Ghaziabad, shares how one such mentor helped him restart his life after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Writing about mentors and teachers is the most blessed thing to do,” said Gambhir. “When my life was unstable due to financial crisis post-COVID, my mentor just changed my life and asked me to restart.
“When there was no one standing with me, she stood with me, accelerated my confidence, and supported me through all the obstacles and hindrances I faced in life. On this auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima, I take up the moment to thank my mentor, Khushi ma’am, for helping me change while also growing optimistically.”
