Who do you consider to be a hero?

Question

What is your criteria for defining a hero? Is it someone who sacrifices himself or herself to save others? Would it be someone who has helped to make the world a better place to live in? What makes a hero? And do you have one?

Answer 1

Sir,

Believe it or not, I was just thinking of writing a blog about those people and fictional characters whom I considered and still consider to be my heroes since the earliest I can recollect from. I think age matters a lot in one's choice of idols and as a teenage kid, I am more easily influenced by the acts of extreme bravery, intelligence, resilience etc. instead of the more valuable virtues eg. selflessness, non-violence, genuineness of character, honour etc.

The line between a true hero and an adrenaline junkie or a misdirected talent becomes more distinct and clear as we mature with age.

A hero may or may not be equipped with a natural talent; and doesn't need to be any different than a common man walking down the street in his abilities, viewpoints and will-power. (Hence the idea of a hero lying within all of us.)
But, the things that I think separate a hero from a regular common man or woman are:

1- Keeping everyone in mind.
A true hero doesn't think and work for a specific community. My hero cannot have a narrow mind, he has respect for humanity as a whole and strives to improve life in general. For me, even selfishness isn't as big a hurdle as narrow-mindedness on the path of heroism.

One of my heroes, Mahatma Gandhi, didn't earn worldwide respect just by striving for the freedom of his own people in India. He had a vision of a world free of hatred, he worked in South Africa against racism, he exchanged views with the great Russian author Leo Tolstoy, he even succeeded in explaining his noble cause to the people he was working against, the British. A hero has to be a lover.

2- The passion.
Ever heard of a lackadaisical spirit achieving heroic status? I don't think so because, the hero just has to be passionate about his cause; but before that, he needs a cause. In every hero's life, there is first a stage when he's not sure as to which path shall lead him to his true destination. After making the correct choice, it's all a matter of how badly he wants to achieve his goal.

I'd again explain this with the help of one of my heroes from Indian history- Sardar Bhagat Singh- A prominent revolutionary who devoted his life to Indian Freedom movement. As a child, he used to sow guns in the field to reap thousands of guns and use them against the "white" people, such was the anger in his tender mind. While growing up, his principles acquired a certain level of firmness and maturity due to the quality literature made available to him by the school & college libraries. He came to know the real meaning of patriotism and martyrdom, this set his goal way up high above his childhood dreams.

Ultimately, he was caught protesting against the British and was hung to set an example for all those who raised their heads against the rule. Bhagat Singh had every chance to escape but he didn't even think of it... and that raised his level from a enthusiastic young man to an immortal martyr for his act sparked a fire across the nation. The masterplan backfired big time... and millions of youth joined the freedom movement. I bet Bhagat knew it beforehand; such passion and trust in one's principles is something to be admired.
A hero has to be a passionate lover!

A few more attributes like bravery, selflessness, high morals, honour, ideal guiding principles and flexible approach come to mind.

Alongwith great passion, a cause, a great mind and a certain set of guiding forces combine with a great personality to form a hero.

To grow up to be a hero, one needs an open mind and its encounters with the truth. The signs start showing up in the early childhood... as the child encounters the good, the bad and the lovely while growing up.

My heroes? I have quite a few that I admire... most of them being Indian freedom movement revolutionaries like Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Laxmi Bai and Subhash Chandra Bose. I also, admire the ones who stood up to stand with what they believed in. Galilieo Galilei, Socrates, Abraham Lincoln and many more.

Thank you for the opportunity, sir.

Answer 2

I am tired of the devaluation of the term 'hero'. This collective hysteria which has emerged from the civilian population all desperate to jump on the 'Soldiers are heroes' bandwagon, undermines true acts of heroism and ignores real courage amongst both the civilian and military populations. I am married to a serving Army Officer and live on a Military base. Frequent Operational Tours in Theatre are a fact of life and certainly not every man or woman who is deployed is a hero. Some perform acts of heroism, some put their heads down and do their job, some fail themselves and their comrades cataclysmically, and some spend their time in the cook house - useful, but hardly heroic. Are the half-wits who mistreat POW's heroes? Nope. Is the fine and decorated Soldier who beats his dog a hero? Not to me he isn't. I know many Soldiers (including my own) who have performed acts of heroism for which they have been decorated. I have yet to meet one of those who would ever define himself as a 'hero'. If proclaimed as one he would simply say: 'I was just doing my job' and he would mean it.

Answer 3

To me a hero is one who goes beyond what is required and makes self sacrifice if called upon for help. That covers a lot of ground and there are countless numbers of hero's in my opinion who never seek or may even be reluctant to accept recognition for the good things they have done. I'm a 49 year old male and I still consider my father to be my greatest hero . He's been gone for many years but not a day goes by that I don't think of him and realize how blessed I was to have him teach me how to be a decent caring human being. He always went the extra mile to see that I was taken care of and as an adult and parent myself now , I know how difficult just being a good parent can be , a lot of tough choices to make and a lot of self sacrifices to be made. I have other hero"s also but he'll forever be number one in my eyes !

Answer 4

Most people don't even know the definition of the word Hero.

Your first one is right someone who puts their own life on the the line to save the life of another. That is the only hero.
If you were crossing the street and you didn't see a car coming and someone yells " hay there is a car coming" are they a hero because they yelled to you? I don't think so, the car driver might have seen you and was planning on stopping.

Your 2nd, someone making the world a better place, that is subjective they might be screwing it up for some other people who like it the way things are. Definitely not a hero. Remember Iraq War?????
No! not in the sense of saving my life putting themself at risk.
We need a word that describes someone who goes the mile to save your day or life for no reason or reward but not a risk to them. I know two people in that category but I never called them hero's

Answer 5

My idea of a hero is someone who puts their life on the line for others. That is why I have several hero's. It would be all the service people who are in our armed forces. Hats off to you!!!!

Answer 6

A friend of mine who is a firefighter is my hero. He's a quiet guy who has a lot of compassion and concern for others -- both the victims and the guys he works with.

He does a tough job for no other reason than it has to be done. . .and that's my definition of a hero.

Answer 7

Dr. King can be considered a hero in my opinion.

Answer 8

Gandhi

Answer 9

The husband who still loves & finds his wife sexy after she has had a mastecdamy,a husband or boyfriend who will stay true to her even if her breast are gone, & the woman who are battleing to stay alive & have dignity.

Answer 10

I don't agree with hero worship. Worship yourself enough to have the desire to imrove a little each day. Behave so that other people respect you, and become your own hero

Answer 11

A real hero doesnt even know he is one. His actions are not defined by 'wanting/needing' to be heroic....its just the way he is.

'Envy the house with heros-And pity the house that needs them'

If you want a quick 'real' answer to this question try looking at all the single parents around this world...not all are heros, but a few definatly are !

And Batman ? Could you please stop writing an essay to every question you answer ? Btw...6 months ago you were at level 7...what happened ???