Every generation grows up searching for figures to admire, emulate, and follow. From early childhood to adulthood, human beings instinctively look for role models—people whose lives appear inspiring, successful, and worthy of imitation. In India, this tendency is particularly strong among the youth. Boys and girls across cities, towns, and villages choose their role models from a wide spectrum: cricketers, Bollywood celebrities, social media influencers, politicians, bureaucrats, and civil servants such as officers from the Indian Administrative Service and the Indian Police Service.
At first glance, this admiration seems natural and even healthy. After all, many of these individuals are portrayed as people who struggled hard, overcame poverty or adversity, and achieved extraordinary success. Their stories are marketed as examples of how “the impossible can be made possible.” Young people are repeatedly told: If they can do it, so can you.
But beneath this glossy narrative lies a deeper and far more uncomfortable question:
Have we, as a society, chosen the wrong role models?
And if yes, what is the cost of this mistake—especially for the youth of the country?
Why Do We Choose Role Models?
The idea of a role model goes far beyond fame or success. A true role model is supposed to represent values—courage, integrity, responsibility, empathy, and moral strength. People don’t just admire role models for what they have achieved; they believe that these individuals will stand by certain principles, especially when society faces injustice or crisis.
Young people, in particular, look up to role models because they expect emotional and moral reassurance. There is an unspoken belief that when times are difficult—when people are oppressed, cheated, or treated unfairly—these powerful and influential figures will raise their voices. The logic is simple: if someone has gained wealth, fame, and authority because of the public, then they should stand with the public when it matters most.
This belief is reinforced every day.
Cricketers say, “We are nothing without our fans.”
Actors say, “Our success belongs to the audience.”
Politicians say, “We are servants of the people.”
Civil servants say, “We work for public welfare.”
But when reality puts these claims to the test, the silence is deafening.
The Illusion of Care: Fame Without Responsibility
It is true that celebrities, cricketers, and public figures cannot personally respond to millions of followers. No one expects them to individually thank every fan or answer every message. That expectation would be unreasonable.
However, there is a huge difference between not being able to reach everyone and choosing not to stand for anyone.
When people are in distress—when students are protesting for fair examinations, when jobs are scarce, when corruption destroys futures, when paper leaks shatter years of preparation—silence from role models becomes a moral failure.
And this silence is not accidental.
It is strategic.
Students, Struggles, and Abandoned Youth
Let us look at one of the most painful and recurring realities in India: student agitations.
Across the country, students regularly protest against issues such as:
- examination paper leaks
- corruption in recruitment processes
- lack of employment opportunities
- unfair evaluation systems
- administrative negligence
- campus mismanagement
In many cases, these protests are not violent, not illegal, and not politically motivated. Students are not asking for luxury; they are asking for fairness. They are asking that hard work should matter more than money or connections. They are asking that criminals involved in scams be punished.
Yet what happens to them?
They are beaten with lathis.
They are sprayed with water cannons.
They are arrested, jailed, and humiliated.
Some are permanently injured.
Some lose their lives.
These are not isolated incidents. They happen repeatedly, year after year, across different states.
Now ask yourself honestly:
Where are the role models?
Silence of Cricketers: Heroes Only on the Field
Millions of young Indians worship cricketers. Posters cover bedroom walls. Jerseys are worn like sacred clothing. Victories are celebrated as national triumphs.
But when students are beaten for demanding jobs or justice, how many cricketers step forward?
Name one cricketer who sat with protesting students demanding action against paper leaks.
Name one cricketer who spoke strongly against systemic injustice in examinations.
Name one cricketer who risked endorsement deals to stand with unemployed youth.
The answer is uncomfortable but clear: almost none.
This silence is not because they are unaware. Social media ensures that every major protest is visible. This silence exists because speaking up is “bad for brand value.”
The moment justice becomes inconvenient, heroism disappears.
Bollywood Celebrities: Voices for Fashion, Not for Justice
Bollywood actors command enormous influence. A single tweet from a superstar can reach millions within minutes. Their opinions on fashion, lifestyle, fitness, and movies are amplified endlessly.
But when students are dying due to institutional failures, where are these voices?
How many Bollywood celebrities have sat on the streets with protesting students?
How many have spoken against paper leaks, unemployment, or educational corruption?
How many have attended funerals of students who died due to administrative cruelty?
Very few—almost none.
Yet these same celebrities never hesitate to speak when:
- a brand needs promotion
- an award show needs glamour
- a film needs publicity
This selective activism exposes the truth: concern exists only where profit exists.
Bureaucrats as Role Models: Power Without Empathy
A large section of Indian youth dreams of becoming civil servants. For many students, cracking competitive exams to enter the IAS or IPS represents the ultimate achievement—power, respect, job security, and social status.
But what happens after selection?
Many officers retreat into air-conditioned offices, protected by protocol, privilege, and immunity. They speak the language of rules, not justice. They cite “procedure” while ignoring human suffering.
When students demand transparency and fairness, how many senior officers sit with them?
One might argue: “They are public servants; they cannot go against the government.”
But ask this:
Were the students demanding something illegal?
Were they asking for violence or chaos?
No.
They were demanding that criminals involved in scams be punished. They were demanding a fair system.
If public servants cannot stand for fairness, then what exactly are they serving?
Comfort?
Power?
Political masters?
If silence is justified in the name of neutrality, then neutrality itself becomes injustice.
Minorities, Marginalized Students, and Selective Outrage
The situation becomes even more tragic when the victims belong to marginalized communities—minorities, lower castes, economically weaker sections.
There have been numerous cases where students from such backgrounds faced extreme harassment, humiliation, and neglect—sometimes leading to suicide or death.
How many role models came forward demanding justice for them?
How many cricketers spoke?
How many actors protested?
How many senior bureaucrats resigned in protest?
Again, silence.
If role models only speak when it is safe, convenient, or profitable, then they are not role models—they are beneficiaries of the system.
Politicians: Power Before People
Politicians are often projected as leaders of the people. But in reality, most politicians—especially those in power—avoid student movements like a disease.
Why?
Because supporting justice may threaten power.
Because questioning corruption may expose networks.
Because standing with students may upset donors, allies, or political interests.
Opposition politicians sometimes show up, but often their support is opportunistic. They are not driven by compassion; they are driven by strategy. Once elections are over, students are forgotten.
Those in power rarely show solidarity because it would disrupt their luxurious lifestyles—luxuries funded by the same taxpayers whose children are protesting on the streets.
This is the deepest irony.
Who Really Pays the Price?
The lavish lives of politicians, bureaucrats, and celebrities are funded—directly or indirectly—by the people.
The taxes paid by parents.
The hard-earned money of struggling families.
The sacrifices of students preparing day and night for exams.
Yet when these same students face injustice, they are treated as disposable.
And the role models they worship do nothing.
Redefining a Role Model
This leads us to a fundamental realization:
A true role model is not someone who lives comfortably on public money while remaining silent during public suffering.
A true role model is someone who:
- stands with people during hardship
- risks comfort for justice
- speaks truth even when it is inconvenient
- uses influence to protect the powerless
Role models are tested not in success, but in crisis.
Stop Turning Celebrities into Gods
One of the biggest mistakes of Indian society is turning individuals into gods.
Cricketers, actors, politicians—none of them are divine. They are humans who benefit from public support. When we worship them blindly, we surrender our power.
Remember this:
You made them stars.
You gave them fame.
You gave them authority.
And you also have the power to question them.
Blind loyalty creates unaccountable power.
Critical thinking creates democracy.
Choose Role Models Who Stand With You
If someone disappears when you suffer, they are not your role model.
If someone enjoys luxury while you face injustice, they are not your hero.
If someone benefits from your taxes but refuses to speak for your rights, they are not worthy of admiration.
Choose role models carefully.
Choose people who stand beside you—not above you.
Final Thought: Power Belongs to the People
Celebrities rise because people support them.
Politicians rule because people vote for them.
Officials govern because people trust them.
Never forget this.
If the people unite, they can lift anyone up—or bring anyone down.
True role models are not defined by fame, power, or wealth.
They are defined by courage, conscience, and commitment to justice.
And until we learn this, we will keep worshipping the wrong people—while real heroes remain unheard.
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