#AbhyudayaKatha: “I came to guide a Sitara, but I found my own direction.”

Mentoring my Abhyudaya Sitaras has been one of the most meaningful journeys of my life. When I first stepped into a small chawl in Mumbai to meet Amrapali, I did not realise how deeply that meeting would stay with me. The house was small, but the warmth inside was not. Her mother once waited for me before leaving for work and offered sweets with pride. That moment stayed with me. It showed me that hope and dignity do not depend on circumstances; they depend on mindset.

Later, due to unforeseen reasons, Amrapali could not continue in the program. That phase tested me. I learned that mentoring is not about controlling outcomes, but about staying committed even when situations change.

When the situation changed, and I was assigned Samiksha, I understood that mentoring also means adjusting and staying committed. Samiksha, a focused 10th-grade student, carries quiet determination. Whether it was revisiting geometry basics, solving pre-board papers, or discussing Carbon and Its Compounds, a chapter I once struggled with, every session reminded me that learning connects stories across time.

What moved me even more was her mother. Alongside supporting her daughter, she herself was preparing for her own Class 10 board exams. Watching them both study under the same roof showed me what true determination looks like. It was not just about one student preparing for boards; it was about a family choosing education together.

Beyond academics, our bond grew through small, honest moments, playing chess at the Abhyudaya centre, turning geography into quiz games, and balancing sports and studies during Khel Mela. Moments like these built trust. They made learning lighter.

Coming from Shahdol, a small town in Madhya Pradesh, I understand how powerful the right guidance at the right time can be. That is why this journey feels personal. I came here thinking I would teach subjects. Instead, I learned patience, gratitude, and resilience from families who face challenges quietly and move forward anyway.

I believe in my Sitaras, in their discipline, their dreams, and their strength. For me, mentoring has never been about giving alone. In guiding her journey, I discovered growth in my own.

Abhyudaya SPJIMR is not just a course. It is a journey of growing together, contributing to UN #SDG4 of Quality Education, not only by improving marks, but by building belief across generations.