Heroes, Role Models and Mentors

I read somewhere that "You tell me who your heroes are, and I can tell you the person you are".

I asked my sons the question- "Who are your Heroes?"

Anish, my first born, did't hesitate.

"You Appa!" he said.

Frankly, I was flattered.

Arjun, my second son, thought for a moment and said,"Thatha" (Grandpa).

I am grateful that my sons did't need to look far to identify their heroes.

Question arises- How many young men and women are able to find Heroes and Heroines

in their own midst?

Often, heroes and heroines become "Role Models".

Sport personalities are often perceived as role models by youngsters.

Charles Barkley, the NBA player, said "We cannot be your Role Models, they have to be found in your own family and friends".

To me, the missing link in today's society, however, is the role of "Mentors".

Everybody, at every stage of their life, need Mentors.

In India, where I come from, most of the population would understand the role and importance of a "Guru" (mentor).

Whenever an artist, a musician, a dancer, or a student comes to prominence, the first question will be "who is that person's Guru?".

Let me ask a generic question to readers of this Blog.

"Who are your Gurus?".

If you can instinctively answer that question without hesitation,

you really have a "Guru".