From mentor to ‘bhaiya’ – A Lesson in resilience and reverse mentoring

When I met Atika on Hastantaran Day, when the first-year student mentors are assigned their Sitara mentees, the dynamics between us changed in an instant when she called me “Bhaiya”. Just like that, Abhyudaya ceased to be merely an academic requirement and became a personal responsibility. I realised my role is not just to be a teacher to Sitara, but to ensure my younger sister has all the tools she needs to navigate challenges and realise her dreams.

On Hastantaran day, each mentor receives a letter from their mentee. In Atika’s letter, two clear goals were outlined: learning English and learning Computer. However, we faced an immediate logistical problem: Atika does not have a computer at home. This is where I saw her determination.

We devised a hybrid strategy. I created a YouTube playlist of important videos on MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. So, she goes through all these videos, absorbs the concepts, and then waits until she gets the opportunity to practice them on Bhavan’s Campus computer. But she never complained about the situation and the gap. She just worked hard to bridge the gap and improve herself.

One of my proudest moments for me was when she showed me a picture on her phone. It was a PPT that she made all by herself. Similarly, in English, seeing her go from struggling to read a story to confidently narrating a story to her siblings was a very proud moment for me. Seeing her progress was truly rewarding, but it was her unwavering resolve to let the lack of resources not get in the way of her learning that was truly inspiring for me.

If Atika taught me about dedication, her family taught me an abundance of human spirit. Atika lives in a modest home – two small rooms shared by her family of 9: 6 kids and 3 adults. Yet the moment I stepped into their home, the constraints of space simply vanished, replaced by the immense warmth of her family. Especially kids, who were always very happy to see me with immense infectious joy.

Her mother, who works as house help, and her father, who works as a support staff member at a hotel, have limited means. Yet every time I visited their home, I was treated as royalty. They always offered me tea, coffee or biscuits, and her siblings always greeted me and asked me to play with them. It was a humble lesson for me on hospitality: generosity is not about how much you have in your wallet but how much room you have in your heart.

Atika’s parents hold a very powerful vision for her and her siblings. Despite their own hardships, they always have unwavering support for her. Determined that Atika and her siblings will reach the heights they never could. They want her to build a future life and career that surpasses their own.

When I was introduced to the Abhyudaya course at SPJIMR, I thought I was the one bringing knowledge to the table. By the end, I realised I was the one taking notes. I learned about resilience – the ability to keep hope alive even when resources are scarce and not giving up on our dreams. I learned to check my own privilege, and it reignited my drive to learn.

I might be officially Atika’s mentor, “Bhaiya”, but in the class of life, she and her family became my teacher. The lesson of “Reverse Mentoring” has left a huge mark on me, reminding me that a hunger for education and the warmth of family are the strongest forces in the world, and that if we believe in ourselves, we can achieve anything.