Respected President, Principal, Teachers, parents
and my dear students,
Thank you for inviting
me to this beautiful function. I am rather excited to see the proud students of
this institution. I happen to teach more of adults rather than students like
you. Naturally my knowledge on your expectations and beliefs are a little faded.
But years back I was also a young kid like you and still I feel the excitement
of going to school. I know the situations are not alike. There is complete
change in the w ay how we travel to school, how much our parents give advice or
influence and how much facilities we got for a good outcome. However we could
perform and reach positions which were beyond our dreams, at least for me. What
is the difference between school children of that period and you, dear
students?
Everybody is born
different or unique. Their ability and interest may be different. But students
or children are forced to follow the same routine. Parents want their children
to be equal to the topper in the class or more. They are not made to think and
perform. But mostly they are fed to perform. I have come to see that the reason
people don’t change is simply that they do not dare to be different.
What does being
different mean? Being different means that one is not afraid to challenge the
norm. He should be always willing to take a chance and ready to take a decision
at crisis. You are destined to follow your own track rather than just following
the well-trodden path set by others. You have to chart your own course and
destiny and remain the person that you were meant to be.
As school student I
was not told to read books at home or enquired about home work. Once in a while
some body will remind me of passing the exam that is all. There was no pressure
from any source. No special class and no coaching. However things went
smoothly. There was a habit of doing everything before time. Recently I and my
junior colleague had to make presentation in a seminar. I prepared my
presentation 2 weeks before and tried to read it one or two times in a week.
There were so many modifications I could make and the presentation seems to be
ok. But my colleague called me on the previous day of seminar and asked me what
all thing he has to prepare. He wanted my guidance. So one can imagine how
perfect he can prepare in that short time. So dear students don’t wait for the
last minute for your preparation. Start early, fine tune it and be ready for
the show at least a day before.
The same is observed
as far as exam is concerned. We don’t read unless there is an exam in sight. I
used to take rest on the previous night of exam. I always believed that a good
sleep is welcome on the previous night. Most students read late in the night
and up to the exam hall. There is a big confusion when exam bell is heard. I
don’t think that this reading at the final minute is going to help us. During
college days my lecturer saw me one or two times in the cinema hall. One day he
called me and asked, Ravi what are you up to. Don’t you have any ambition? You
have every chance of scoring high marks. But if you are going like this you will
spoil everything. But every time I finish my work early and find time for
cinema. Whether it is record or desertation I will be the first person to
submit. This created a lot of problems when I was the principal. I used to be
harsh at those who delay submission of dissertations. Every day is a chance to
become a better person. Don’t miss that.
Society set some
standards for all. It does not take much effort to set yourself above the rest.
It is believed that we are destined to follow that. One thing we can do to
change this all set pattern. Read books that challenge you and that make you
think. You will be able to identify your potential. Always believe that you have
an abundance of potential within you and you will bring it out to fruition.
What do we observe
now? Everybody run after fame or reward. Look at the school youth festival or
school games. Parents create so much of fuss to bring recognition to their
ward. It need not be based on merit. The sabotage of results, multiple appeals
are examples. The key is to work with freedom and love and without too much
expectation. Try to accomplish something wherever you are and do not compare
with others. Running after rewards will render you akin to a slave of your
expectations; you must work for your own internal satisfaction, work like a
master and not as a slave.
Some things are within
our control, and some things are not in our control. You know how to distinguish between what is in
your control and what is not. Don’t get disturbed when events happen against
your wish. Accept events as they actually happen. Except for extreme physical
abuse, other people cannot hurt you unless you allow them to. Don’t consent to be hurt and you won’t be hurt.
When something happens, the only thing in your power is your attitude toward it
... you can either accept it or resent it. To accept an event is to rise above
it, to resent an event is to be overpowered by it. With acceptance comes
happiness, with resentment comes misery. Acceptance of an event is not to be
mistaken for a life of passivity or submission to unwanted events. Being an
integral part of social structure, you cannot live in isolation; social
interaction is inescapable. In your relationship with others at home, at work
or in society, no matter how people behave, you have to maintain inner
tranquility, with unwavering attention on achieving your own merit and
excellence.
If you live in tune
with your will and resolve and in harmony with your inner self, nobody’s words
or actions can disturb your mental peace. So, children I have given you a high
dose of advice and mostly these are broad outline few of which can be
practiced, if not now later it may help you. Wish you happiness and good
future. Once again thanks for inviting me. Good bye
