In the Human body, one of the most extraordinary gifts is the brain. It is the seat of thought, emotion, and imagination. Brain is the organ that allows us to love, learn, create, and savor the joy of being alive. More than a biological structure, the brain is a gateway to our emotions, a compass for our choices, and the silent architect of our relationships. It shapes not only our personal destinies but also the quality of the bonds we share with others.
A positive environment nurtures peace, happiness, and fulfillment, while a toxic one can lead to pain, instability, and an unhealthy existence. Hence, the brain plays a pivotal role in creating the fabric of our social lives. The people we surround ourselves with like friends, family or mentors act as anchors of stability or sources of turbulence. Choosing friends and mentors wisely is therefore not optional but essential.
It is often said, “Your Company Defines Your Personality”. This simple truth highlights how deeply the people around us influence the course of our lives. Mentors, friends, and colleagues shape not only our choices but also the kind of person we eventually become. One wrong association can set us back, while the right companions can inspire growth and confidence. Among these influences, mentors hold a special place. A careful, dedicated, and selfless mentor does more than guide a student. They help shape character, nurture values, and prepare the mind for challenges ahead. Beyond Academic success, a mentor leaves a lasting imprint on personality and personal development.
On this Teacher’s Day, it is worth reflecting on the significance of good mentorship. The values, discipline, and wisdom of a true mentor do not remain confined to the classroom; they transfer into student’s everyday life, often becoming the foundation on which careers and futures are built. Many of us can look back and recognize how teacher’s encouragement or guidance became the turning point in our journey. As a student, I have personally experienced it. I have seen how the qualities of an inspiring mentor can shape not only learning but also living. I remain deeply influenced by the vision, dedication, and compassion of my mentor, Dr. Reyaz Ahamd Quereshi, whose guidance continues to impact my outlook on both education and life.
Sometimes, life blesses us with people whose presence becomes a source of strength, guidance, and inspiration. They support us, shape our paths, and help us reach our goals. For me, one such person has been my Mentor Dr. Reyaz Ahmad Quereshi, a remarkable figure whose contributions in both education and tourism continue to leave lasting impact.
Dr. Qureshi is currently heading the Department of Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Studies at the University of Kashmir. After completing his higher education in tourism, he began his professional journey with the Department of Tourism, Government of Jammu and Kashmir. During his tenure in the Department of Tourism, Government of Jammu & Kashmir he has served several important roles in different offices of the Directorate. He has also served as a tourist officer Manasbal and made remarkable efforts for its development as lake resort. It is because of his consistent effort and dedication, the then Director General Tourism and renowned Bureaucrat Mr. Farooq Ahmad Shah who has contributed a lot to the development of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir appointed Dr. Qureshi in his personal office as his Personal Secretary realizing the fact that proper tourism development in Kashmir is not possible without professionally trained tourism professionals. This recognition was not only a reflection of his professional excellence but also of the trust placed in his ability to guide and shape tourism development in the region.
Beyond his administrative roles, Dr. Quereshi’s impact as an academic is equally profound and remarkable. As an avid researcher, he took more interest in the field of education so he resigned from the Department of Tourism, Government of Jammu and Kashmir and joined the University of Kashmir as an Assistant Professor in the Tourism Management of Distance Education. It was a time when there was no formal and regular course in Tourism Management in the University of Kashmir. The University was only offering Post Graduate Diploma in Tourism Management through Distance Education in Directorate of Distance Education. Recognizing the gap, Dr. Qureshi worked tirelessly to bring regular tourism education into the mainstream. As a result of his consistent efforts and determination, a tourism course (Master’s Degree in Tourism) was introduced as a regular course in the Department of Management Studies, University of Kashmir in the year 2012. As an expert in the Tourism sector, he understood the growing importance of structured education for the industry. He knew that without an independent department, the full potential of tourism studies would remain untapped. His extraordinary commitment ultimately led to the establishment of an independent Tourism Department in the University of Kashmir. As a result of his continued efforts he finally procured a big mile by bringing Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Studies as an independent department at the University of Kashmir on June 11, 2021, stands as a testament to his vision and perseverance. His excellence reminds me few lines of Robert Forst, “But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.”
Dr. Reyaz Ahmad Qureshi is a teacher of eminence. He has a very kind, serene and candid personality. He always boosts the confidence of his students in the class. He enthusiastically supports and guides his students both professionally and morally. Let me give one instance of it to you. In the year 2022, on World Tourism Day, the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM) Noida was celebrating a week-long competition titled “Tourism Mohitsav”. Among its many events, I took part in two different competitions; Itinerary Making Competition and Reels and Shorts Competition. Of the two, Itinerary making competition was far more challenging than the other one because it required not only creativity but also a formal presentation before a panel of experts. The competition was at the national level and it was not a piece of cake for anyone to compete with hundreds of highly educated and skilled participants on this big stage. I pondered for a while and an idea popped up in my mind, to reach out to my mentor Sir Qureshi and get some instructions from him about the aforementioned competition. When I contacted him, he beautifully and patiently explained how to prepare such an itinerary. His advice was not just practical; it was empowering. On the day of competition, my stomach was churning because I faced the national-level competitors for the first time in my life. While other participants were performing impressively, I realized that my strength lay not in competing with them, but in presenting with the conviction that I had been prepared by the best guidance I could ask for. That reassurance transformed my approach, helping me focus less on fear and more on delivery. I had one competitive edge over the other as I prepared my itinerary as per the instructions of Sir Qureshi. After a couple of days later, results were declared and I got surprised to know that I have got first position in both the competitions. Moments like these remind us of the invaluable role mentors play. They may not stand on stage beside us, but their influence echoes in our words, our decisions, and our courage to face challenges. For me, that competition was not just about winning or losing; it was about discovering the power of mentorship in turning doubt into determination.
In November 2023, grief struck our MTTM Batch 2019 of Kashmir University when we lost our classmate, Mr. Aadil Majeed Wani of Kulgam, who breathed his last at SKIMS Soura after a long illness around 2 p.m. Aadil was not my peer but aslo a student of Dr. Qureshi. The news of his passing left us shattered. Overwhelmed, I immediately called Dr. Qureshi to inform him of this heartbreaking loss. His reaction revealed the essence of his character. He was deeply shocked, his voice heavy with sorrow, and his disappointment revealed the depth of his bond with his student. But what moved me most was what followed. Dr. Qureshi did not confine his role to that of an academic mentor; he went far beyond. He personally stood by Aadil’s family in their darkest hour, shouldering his coffin, offering funeral prayers, and remaining at the graveside late into the night until the burial was complete. By watching this act of Dr. Quereshi, Aadil’s mother shouted to his dead body, “O my dear beloved Aadil, you are the hero of Jannah because your mentor has shouldered your coffin”. These scenes were intensely emotional and so heart melting that brought tears to all who witnessed it.
In that moment, I understood what true mentorship means. A mentor is not only a guide in academics or career but also a companion in joy and grief, someone who shares the burdens of life with those they nurture. Dr. Qureshi’s presence that night was not simply an act of duty; it was an expression of humanity, loyalty and love; qualities that define the rarest kind of mentor. Experiences like these remind us that education is not measured merely by degrees or lessons taught in classrooms. The real measure of a teacher lies in the values they embody and the compassion they extend beyond institutional walls. In the life and death of a student, Dr. Qureshi stood as more than a professor; he stood as family.
I can’t do justice to describe the honesty and dedication of Dr. Reyaz Ahmad Qureshi to his profession with my pen. His passion for his job is insatiable. Once he evaluates the examination papers of his students, he gives them strong feedback about their strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, he supports and guides them to overcome their weaknesses. He always instills a sense of responsibility in his students. Apart from university curriculum, he also enlightens his students about the importance of moral duties towards the family and society. He is not just an individual but a moving institution that is rendering selfless service to his profession and people. His life teaches us how to win the most arduous struggles in one's life and inspires towards the path of peace, kindness and success.
Besides Sir Qureshi, some more awe-inspiring mentors also guided and supported me over the past decade. From my native village, Mohammad Rafiq Mir, Mohammad Arif Baba and Ishfaq Ahmad Joo played a vital role at every juncture of my life. Their company always motivates me and makes me believe to achieve my goals. Apart from them, Ma’am Farzana (Professor at Management Studies, KU) and one of the junior students totally changed my perception of life. Ma’am Farzana is the first woman mentor whose hard work, dedication and kindness inspired me a lot. I am highly indebted to them all. I was reminded of an unknown poet’s most oft-quoted lines, “jin ke kirdar se aati ho sadaqat ki mahak, un ki tadris se patthar bhi pighal sakte hain”. May Almighty bless all my beautiful mentors and friends.
Over the years, we experience changing trends in our educational institutions. Every next day we get shocking news through media about our teachers who rather than playing the role of nation building brings bad name to this noble profession. Teachers have to be very responsible and committed towards their profession. The role of a teacher in the contemporary world especially in the valley of Kashmir which has passed through very disturbed period is more complicated and professional. They need not only to teach any particular subject but guide the students morally and ethically. They need to make the students understand what is right and what is wrong. How they could contribute to society and of course the nation.. A teacher builds the nation and he is supposed to be not only professionally trained and knowledgeable but ethically and morally sound then only a child gets inspiration from him. Let me conclude with these lines of Allama Iqbal, “Afradh ke Hathon Main Hai Aqwam Ki Taqdeer,Har Fard Hay Milat Kay Muqdar Ka Sitara”.
Email:---------------------------------trustonme20@gmail.com
