One thing you will often see in India and among Hindus all over the world is the practice of seeking the blessings of elders and teachers by bending down and touching their feet. The elders in turn place their hands on the seeker’s head and bless him or her with a long and fruitful life. 

It is an ancient tradition carried on from Vedic times and is a way of showing respect for age, experience and knowledge.
Touching someone’s feet requires humility, a negation of the ego even if it is for a brief moment. In that moment it is thought that the heart of the person whose feet are being touched overflows with compassion and love and these positive vibes are then passed on to the younger person.

Hindus believe that such blessings guide and protect us over lifetimes.