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Who will be my role model?

As a shortcut to character building or as inspirational figures, role models are an intrinsic part of growing up, writes AMRITA NAYAK

Whenever Abida watches Sania Mirza on the telly, she experiences an adrenaline rush. There is that special thrill of watching one's favourite sports star. For Abida, Sania is herrole model. "Sania Mirza defines today's woman — smart, intelligent, confident and a go-getter. Every woman would like to be like her," says Abida, a second-year student of arts.

To take liberties with the Bard, some are born role models, some achieve role model status, and others have it thrust upon them. Being a role model comes with attendant baggage. If one is a role model, apart from hysterical fans, one could attract nuts and stalkers. Besides, there is also the matter of responsibility. Especially when it comes to impressionable young people who blindly ape everything their role model does. One has to be very careful of how one conducts oneself.

Actors and cricketers, who by default are role models to our idol-starved nation, are cautious in how they present themselves in public. And then there are the negative role models. With movies glamorising crime and terrorism, it comes as no surprise that tiny tots displaying bravado and toy guns talking of becoming ugrawadi (terrorists) when they grown up.

There are many reasons how and why one chooses a role model. It could be the success they have earned in their particular field is inspirational and aspirational. Or it could be just a shortcut to creating a persona. There is a school of thought that believes someone else has walked that path and walked it exceedingly well; so one could just follow it instead of going through the trouble of striking out afresh.

"Sometimes we wish to become like someone else whom we admire. We start to imitate that person. Youngsters tend to have parents, teachers, film stars, pop stars, or sports stars as their role models. The choice of role model changes as one grows older," says Viraja Shankar, Counsellor at the Lighthouse Poly Clinic. "A person's choice of a role model is idiosyncratic. Sometimes, it is the personality traits of a person that influences the choice of a role model," says Anjali Ganesh, a lecturer in Organisational Behaviour at a management college.

So, is it funky stylish clothes or the talking style or the talent in their role models that attract today's youngsters look up to others? "It is a combination of many factors," says Gloria, a 1st PUC student at St. Aloysius College. Her role model is Bryan Adams, whom she admires a great deal for his songs apart from finding him cool and stylish.For Roshin and Milan Younus, MBA students at P.A. Engineering College, Malayalam actor Mammooty is the man. He scores for his personality, the challenging roles he has done, and his astute business acumen. Poonam, a second year student of BCA at SDM College, picks her mum as her role model. "She is my inspiration to overcome all the difficulties in life. I don't believe in anyone else." Some people have role models based on their career interests. Mihika, a student of engineering at NITTE, is interested in journalism and no prizes for guess her role model. Yes, it is Barkha Dutt whose many traits Mihika would like to imbibe. It is not only youngsters at the crossroads of life who have role models. For instance, there is Sumana Kamath, a homemaker who totally trips on Yana Gupta. "She is very talented and has the most beautiful sparkling eyes. Her performance in `babuji, zara dheere chalo' is her best act till today."

Businessman Mahesh Kamath is an ardent admirer of the ageless Amitabh Bachchan. (Aren't we all?) He finds Big B's acting talent, voice and diction unparalleled. "He has an amazing style of dressing and is very punctual and disciplined."

Roxy Sebastian goes against the grain. This electronics and communication engineering graduate says:"I don't believe in role models. They are for those who don't trust their own abilities to be successful. So, rule me out."The bottom line is all have a strong need for self-actualisation. We aspire to be successful and appreciated by others androle models show us the way to get there. Also, in today's world of saturation news, we often eventually discover our role models to have feet of clay. Which is unfair to them, considering they, like us, are all too human.

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