माता गुरुतमा प्रोक्ता पितरं तु समं गुरोः।
गुरोश्च परमं स्थानं त्रिषु लोकेषु दुर्लभम्॥

Meaning:

The mother is considered the greatest,
but the father is said to be equal to the Guru.
Yet, above all stands the Guru—
whose place is rare to find even in all three worlds.

In Gujarat, like across India, Guru Purnima is a sacred day celebrating the guiding light of everyone’s lives- Guru (a teacher, a mentor, a guide, a source of clarity, knowledge, and the right path in life). One who aims nothing but success and correct direction for his/her disciple. It is a time to express gratitude to the Gurus who shape the mind, nurture character, and shape the nation’s future.

Whether in art, sports, life skills, or academics, gurus illuminate the path forward. Their teachings extend beyond textbooks. They instill resilience, values, and purpose. This day isn’t just tradition; it’s a tribute to the architects of human potential.

When Passion Finds Purpose: Dr. Sachin Atmaram Dhedia’s Journey

Dr. Sachin Dhedia found his calling early, shaped by mentors who saw beyond marks. He initiated my teaching career in 1995, back when dial-up internet was the norm and overhead projectors ruled the classroom. Since then, the experience has been dynamic, to say the least. But the tools never mattered—it was the trust of students that drove his mission. Over the years, that trust became the ultimate benchmark of his teaching success.

For him, being a guru isn’t about pushing content—it’s about sparking transformation. His classrooms aren’t performance zones—they’re laboratories of critical exploration. He refuses to settle for static curriculums or generic teaching models. Instead, each student is seen as a unique system to be thoughtfully understood. His goal is to build thinkers—curious, analytical, and self-driven individuals.

Sachin Sir believes true impact lies not in grades but in mental architecture. He guides students toward disciplined thought and long-term intellectual growth. He sees a guru as a system builder, someone who plants traits that outlast exams. Years later, it’s not formulas remembered but the values that still guide decisions.

“Teaching,” he says, “isn’t just instruction—it’s inspiration that scales beyond classrooms.”

Challenges of the Modern Classroom: His Reflections

Today’s education is obsessed with metrics—test scores over understanding. The teacher-student relationship is becoming transactional, not transformational. Assignments are exchanged, but wisdom and dialogue often get left behind. He mourns the fading of the guru-shishya bond—once sacred, now almost lost. He urges educators to revive mutual respect, curiosity, and emotional presence.

His call to teachers is clear: don’t just teach, build futures through connection. Through SGA Education Institute, he’s creating a space where these values live.

Be a teacher who creates more teachers, not just followers.” -Dr. Sachin Atmaram Dhedia, founder SGA education institute.

Dance as Devotion: Dr. Nidhip Shah on Movement and Meaning

Dr. Nidhip Shah’s dance journey began at age three, pushed by a mother’s intuition. Though uninterested at first, he grew to see dance as his language of freedom. His first performance brought tears, but also applause that transformed his vision. What started as stage fright became a lifelong pursuit of expressive movement. For him, dance is no hobby—it’s an everyday necessity, a discipline, a devotion.

While his profession is that of a professor, dance remains his creative pulse. His dual identity lets him balance intellectual guidance with artistic expression. He’s worked with all age groups, each with unique perspectives and learning styles. Understanding the student as a whole person is what sets him apart as a guru.

“Know their views, their fears, their hopes—that’s how you truly guide them,” he says.

Teaching in the Age of Distraction: His Observations

As a professor, he sees the restlessness in today’s students—it’s loud and clear. Tech alone can’t solve the problem—real engagement needs practical application. He believes we must shift from monologues to hands-on, immersive experiences. Students must feel the subject, not just memorize parts of it for exams.

In dance, he notices a more specific drift—the “Reels culture” replacing real art. Students want views, not mastery. Many teachers now chase trends, not training. He sees this as dangerous, stripping the soul from a sacred art form. Still, he remains hopeful, committed to preserving the roots of dance tradition.

“I’ll always stand for the essence of real dance,” he promises, “no matter the trend.”

To Nidhip Sir, a guru holds transformative power, but it comes with responsibility. “Both student and teacher must choose each other wisely,” he reminds us gently. His presence is strong online too, where he shares his evolving thoughts on art and life. “Guidance must be given with integrity; trust must be placed with awareness.”

“Mastery begins with learning, grows with sharing and lives through guiding others” – Dr. Nidhip Shah, founder NaadSaad Dance Academy.

Guru Purnima: A Call to Honour, Reflect and Evolve

Gurus today wear many hats—educator, mentor, coach, even emotional anchor. As learning evolves, their responsibility grows—to nurture both mind and spirit. Sachin Sir and Nidhip Sir exemplify this new age of thoughtful, aware teaching. They explained how gurus aren’t just tags but about their presence, empathy, and insights. Their stories remind us to value the people who guide us, believe in us, and shape us and our futures.

Guru Purnima doesn’t just mark any day on the calendar. It gives us a moment to reflect, pause to look back, and acknowledge the ones who shaped our dreams, thoughts, and beliefs. Let’s cherish all the gurus in our lives who didn’t just teach us lessons but also touched our lives. Because behind every confident step and every wise decision stands a patient guru. And today, we bow to them all.

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