#AbhyudayaKatha | You go in to teach, but leave having learned

Some journeys end with a certificate. Some end with a lesson. My time with Abhyudaya at SPJIMR gave me the latter.

Abhyudaya, which translates to ‘growing together‘, is a mandatory, transformative experiential learning course for first-year participants in the Post Graduate Diploma in Management at SPJIMR. The course pairs each student with an underprivileged child—their Sitara—for an entire year. Through home visits, structured mentoring plans, group reflection sessions, and individual reflection diaries, mentors and mentees navigate a shared space to thrive.

When I was first paired with my Sitara, Vaishnavi, my feelings were a mix of quiet excitement and nervousness. Stepping into a background very different from my own was humbling, and I knew Vaishnavi had had mentors before me. I wondered if she held specific expectations of what a mentor should be, while I was eager to understand her personality, interests, and aspirations. Looking back, that initial uncertainty was essential—it allowed our relationship to develop naturally, grounded in mutual comfort rather than a rigid, pre-planned agenda.

What began as simple bi-weekly interactions gradually became moments I looked forward to every fortnight. Together, we worked on English, practised questions, played games, and solved riddles. But somewhere along the way, I realised that the most significant learning was happening far beyond the study material.

A defining moment for me occurred during our campus visit during a simple blindfold challenge game. Watching and guiding each other through the task brought a fundamental truth into sharp focus: mentorship is a two-way street.

This experience forced me to rethink how I view privilege, problems, and gratitude. It reminded me that the most impactful lessons often come not from lecturing but from simply observing, listening, and being present.

To the incoming first-year participants stepping into Hastantaran and preparing to begin this course: my biggest advice is to genuinely make the most of this experience. It is an opportunity you may never get again in the same way. Do not approach Abhyudaya merely as a mentoring duty or a checklist item. Take the time to listen, observe, and understand your Sitara beyond academics.

Be present during every visit and make the small moments count. You will learn things that cannot be taught inside a classroom—especially about resilience, relationships, and perspective. Over time, you may find yourself looking at your own life differently, realising how privileged you are to have access to things you once considered normal. Most importantly, go into the journey with an open mind. You may think you are there to teach, but you will leave having learned much more than you expected.

Thank you to the Abhyudaya team at SPJIMR for an experience I will remember forever, and to Vaishnavi, for teaching me so much along the way.