Role Models and the Importance of Having Them

Role models are individuals, who inspire others by setting positive examples through their actions, achievements, or qualities. They play a crucial role in personal growth and motivation, often guiding people toward desirable behaviours, goals, and mindsets.

Importance of Having Role Models:

1. Inspiration and Motivation: Role models provide a vision of success and show what is achievable, motivating others to set and pursue their own goals.
2. Guidance for Personal Values and Ethics: They often embody values like integrity, resilience, and hard work, offering a blueprint for how to live purposefully and ethically.
3. Building Self-Belief: Seeing someone else succeed, especially from similar backgrounds or circumstances, can strengthen one’s confidence and belief in their own potential.
4. Providing Real-Life Lessons: Role models help people learn how to navigate challenges and adapt strategies in their personal and professional lives by observing real-life examples.
5. Shaping Identity and Ambitions: They influence our identities by helping us understand who we want to be and shaping aspirations in meaningful directions.

Having role models can be transformative. They can show that dreams are possible and inspire people to strive for personal and professional excellence.

Personally, I have many role models (Yes, you heard me right, We can always have many role models, because so many people can help us understand about life, universe, our place in it., etc.). I was so fortunate to see, read, know and understand the life stories, the struggles, the agonies, the steps to overcome them, the success and the journey of many of my most favourite people whom I consider as my role models like, Dr. APJ. Abdul Kalam, Mother Teresa, Mega Star Chiranjeevi, Super Star Rajnikanth, Sachin Tendulkar, M.S.Dhoni, Virat Kohli, My teachers: Afred, Sangeetha, and many more.

I would like to tell about one of my roll models to you.  

My Roll Model: 

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is my role model because of his inspiring journey from a humble background to becoming one of India’s most respected scientists and its beloved President. Known as the 'Missile Man of India,' his dedication to science and technology helped advance India’s defence capabilities and space program. Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Kalam’s humility, integrity, and dedication to education have left a lasting impact. He always encouraged young people to dream big, work hard, and serve the nation, which motivates me to strive for excellence and contribute positively to society, just as he did. 

I had the privilege of seeing him closely and listening to him in awe, when he came to our college, Loyola College, Chennai in 2012, during my B.A English Literature days there. He spoke so softly, with so simple language, in an inspiring tone and words, like he always did. If I am a teacher today, I owe that to him, as I want to motivate people to dream and work towards achieving those dreams, like he did tell us that day. Love you, India's pride, Bharat Ratna, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam garu 💗.