My memorable moment as a mentor || Teachers Day

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I always have huge respect over teachers and mentors because I feel that profession is a divine thing after parents who can selflessly contribute to the welfare of their wards. The level of dedication and sincerity is unmatchable and they are the biggest influencers of many lives even beyond their parents at times. You may be a leading expert in your field but it is rock-tough to make your kid accept that “3+2=5” is also right when their teacher has taught that “2+3=5”. Your kid will easily turn your teaching down that you are wrong and only her/his teacher is right. That is the power of teaching and teachers.


For the same reason, I never wanted to get into the teaching profession because I always doubted my capability of being so dedicated and sincere. After my mock interview for UPSC at the Govt coaching center, I got an offer to mentor civil service candidates. Initially, I was so hesitant because it is easy to understand concepts and score high marks but damn hard to teach the same concepts and make a bunch of aspirants to understand. But I took up the offer for which I felt happy of late and was able to inspire a few in this journey, out of which am sharing an incident.

How to Give an Impromptu Speech (Public Speaking)

Source: Thoughtco

Generally, the classes will be scheduled for around 3 hours and the afternoon sessions are really a hell to both faculties and aspirants. So keep the students boosted I always follow a practice of making any two students climb up on the stage and offer a speech to their fellow students on any topic in any language of their choice. Thanks to my mentor for introducing me to this habit. This is to make the aspirants relax and at the same time, it is an opportunity to get rid of stage fear so that it will be helpful for them to face the mass once they get into services. Believe me, at times few speeches will really make the faculty also get amazed.

Speech Students Images, Stock Photos & Vectors | Shutterstock


At the start of the session, I use to announce that I will make at least two people give a speech in front of the class. The usual scenario will be that none will be ready to stand up as I call upon, we have to push them for this. And mostly the first one to rise up will be from the boys’ side and during the second chance I have to do some gimmick talks to make the girls stand up for the speech. One day, it was a new class and the same thing got repeated in the first chance. When the second chance arrived none of the girls were ready to stand up. I tried in all ways but they were not even ready to face me fearing that I will pick one of them forcefully. It was the only time when I was so harsh with the aspirants and literally got enraged and shouted hard. But my efforts went in vain as one of the boys got up to offer a speech and I had no option than to allow him.


Late at the end of the session, I was so angry and expressed my disappointment to the girls and left the class with a heavy heart. In the next day class as the first chance arrived, to my surprise, suddenly one of the girls stood up at the very first call. She rose to the stage and gave an emotional speech about how bad she felt the day before for disappointing me and felt really sad for the entire group of girls for not showing the courage to offer a one-minute speech in front of fellow students. She explained how ashamed she was and was sleepless the entire night cursing herself to her mother. She also said that she was heavily praying that the next day also it has to be my session and I should give a chance so that she can convey her feelings to me and to her fellow students. I was really emotional and glad for her and the entire class clapped for that moment.


I was so happy and as I gave the second chance I was really amazed to see one more girl rising up. She shared how proud she felt about me on the previous day and sad for how the entire girls’ group including herself disappointed me. She felt sorry for letting me down and wasting all my efforts to make at least one girl stand up for the speech. She appreciated my courage and thanked me for inspiring everyone present there with my attitude. That one day was really a priceless day in my life. I wanted to capture that memory so took a snap with them. That moment I felt so satisfied with picking up the mentoring career and patted myself for the wonderful effort I invested. Inspiring others and spreading smiles are always a treasure gesture to cherish with.

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Disclaimer: Few pictures are used only for reference. I do not own the copyrights.

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