The echoes of time: Reflections on mentorship and the journey of youth

Dipak Kurmi *

Time, ever elusive, moves like sand slipping through the fingers—imperceptible in the moment yet undeniable in retrospect. Life, in its entirety, can sometimes feel like a fleeting glimpse, a transient frame in the vast reel of existence. There are few experiences that bring this realization into sharper focus than witnessing the growth of young minds.

I have no children of my own to mark the passage of years, but in my role as a mentor and educator, I have had the privilege of guiding numerous students through their formative years. Watching them evolve from wide-eyed children to assured, independent adults has been one of life’s most profound rewards.

Recently, an old student visited me, not as the exuberant six-year-old I once knew, but as a poised young professional, standing at the threshold of a new chapter. He arrived with his fiancée and family, bearing wedding invitations and a bouquet of memories.

His visit felt like the culmination of a week steeped in nostalgia—a week during which I found myself reflecting on all those who had once sat before me, eager to learn, full of untapped potential. I reached out to some, seeking to understand the paths they had taken, the battles they had fought, and the dreams they now chased.

The revelations were as diverse as they were illuminating. Some of my former students had soared to academic heights, amassing degrees and accolades. Others, like the one who visited, had found a balance between career and companionship, settling into the rhythms of adulthood with measured confidence. Yet, not all had followed predictable trajectories.

There were the slow starters who had gathered momentum with time, proving that growth does not always adhere to a set timeline. Conversely, there were those who had once seemed destined for greatness, only to falter along the way. Life, as I have come to realize, is an intricate interplay of ability, circumstance, and sheer perseverance.

Beyond personal success stories, the larger reality of today’s youth presents a dichotomy that is difficult to ignore. On one side stand the innovators—the ones who will shape the future with their ingenuity, their adaptability, and their willingness to challenge outdated norms. They are reshaping traditional structures, discarding rigidity for fluidity, and carving paths that were once deemed unattainable.

Yet, on the other end of the spectrum lies a troubling narrative—one marked by disillusionment, self-destruction, and despair. The rising tide of drug abuse and youth-involved violent crimes in Kerala is a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk beneath the surface of unchecked ambition and unresolved struggle.

This juxtaposition—of boundless potential against wasted promise—forces an uncomfortable introspection. Where did we falter? In our zeal to propel young minds toward success, did we neglect to fortify them for adversity?

In our eagerness to shield them from hardship, did we deprive them of the resilience necessary to weather life’s inevitable storms? In our relentless pursuit of academic excellence, did we overlook the importance of emotional intelligence, moral grounding, and the simple art of coping?

The answers are neither simple nor singular. Society has, in many ways, become a crucible of unrealistic expectations. Children are taught to chase accolades but not to embrace failure. They are encouraged to dream but not necessarily to struggle. As a result, many find themselves ill-equipped to deal with setbacks, seeking solace in transient escapes rather than enduring the discomfort of growth.

The surge in youth addiction and crime is not just an indictment of individual choices but a reflection of systemic gaps—gaps in familial support, in education systems, in societal values, and in the collective failure to create environments where young minds can navigate challenges without losing themselves in the process.

Yet, in the face of these concerns, there remains hope. For every young life lost to disillusionment, there are countless others who rise, who defy odds, who contribute meaningfully to the world.

I take solace in knowing that those who have passed through my classroom have, by and large, emerged as responsible citizens, each playing a role—big or small—in the grander scheme of things. My contribution may be minimal in the grand design of their journeys, but the knowledge that I have, in some way, shaped their character, instilled in them a sense of purpose, is perhaps the greatest reward of all.

Ultimately, the measure of a life well-lived is not found in personal achievements or public accolades but in the lives we touch, the potential we nurture, and the humanity we cultivate.

If my years as a mentor have taught me anything, it is that our true legacy is not the knowledge we impart, but the values we instill. Time flies, but the echoes of the lessons we share and the kindness we extend continue to ripple through generations. And in that continuity, perhaps, lies the truest form of immortality.