Bharatheeya Vidya Bhavan, Koilandy / 9th Annual day on 29/01/2016

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