Princeton Graduation Speech

Hello everybody!

OHH! ..It feels really good to be on the ‘speaking’ side of this stage. I promise to make this talk a short one, and I will try to make it as interesting as possible.

Let me start with a big “Thank You”, to all those who have made this day possible for everyone of us. Starting with our families, friends, teachers, support staff at university and non-academic staff members, who have played their role by cooking and cleaning for us! Each and everyone one of them has had an impact on our life at Princeton. Also, to the people who have blessed us with good wishes… a big and a heartfelt Thank You!

I would now like to thank a very Special set of people who were ‘not always seen as well wishers’… :D. They increased my confidence by doubting my abilities. When I fell down, they had a smirk on their face, which motivated me to stand up. Thanks for indirect and unconditional support to our lecturers! 🙂

This being a graduation speech, I am ‘supposed’ to go in flashback mode. However, as I promised, to keep this talk short, instead of making you listen to an autobiography, I will rather give you a snapshot. Sounds fine, Right? So let’s begin….

I came here with a standard mindset of studying for degree and making every penny count, but the time I have spent here has been a ‘surprise package’ for me. Now, do not assume anything…I did study and do have a decent job lined up. 🙂

From day one, I was introduced to an amazing set of professors who believed in making both the subject and the student’s life simple. They worked hard to make the subjects easy for us. They never failed to criticise us so that, we could make ourselves worthy of praise. Showed our flaws to make us improve ourselves. Simplified complex economic principles by showing us how to put them into practice. When we had those meaningful discussions with professors, they were in fact just sharing their knowledge with us. I can see that most of them have a smile on their face right now. 🙂

With all due to respect to the great education we have received, I am going to dare to quote a wise man who said ’10-15 years down the line when you look back to your grad life, All you are going to remember are the friendships you created’. I am lucky to be going to have a ‘slide show’ of them and am sure most of us will have the same experience.  I have met many interesting people here. Had an amazing network of friends spanning the campus. I mean it literally. From library to sports center, to café to lab… Friends were everywhere! Laughing, sharing, sometimes even crying, cribbing together…at times cursing others or even each other. 🙂 None of us had same background or hobbies, but all of us made one similar choice of a university named Princeton, and we were right!

It is not a secret; we have had friends who were there for us. With today’s age of social networks, it is hard ‘Not’ to remain in touch. 🙂

Coming to part of sharing some important thoughts, I am not really ‘authorised’ to do it, but as one of the perks of holding the mike in my hand, let me share with you a very simple thought ‘Never Give up’… As we get on with our professional lives, or rather ‘Real’ lives, the road is surely going to have some speed bumps or even potholes! We will need to keep trying and moving, even be it at the speed of traffic of NY during peak hours. Keep moving!!  I know that it’s” So Not easy”. But, guess what, there’s a solution for it! Just remember the ‘special’ set of people of who would like to see you stop and fail. Then look at those who want you to succeed, those who have succeeded. This will motivate you.

Thank you for being patient listeners and best wishes for our new lives ahead!

Thanks! 🙂

References:
Pausch, R. & Zaslow, J. (2008). The Last Lecture. Hyperion: New York
Albom, M. (1997). Tuesdays with Morrie: An old man, a young man, and life’s greatest lesson. New York: Doubleday.