A Convocation to Remember

Commencement speeches constitute a relatively new and not altogether significant genre of public eloquence in India. But in other countries such as the United States, they are a big deal. Speeches by Steve Jobs, Bill and Melinda Gates (at Stanford) or J K Rowling (at Harvard), to name just a few, are famous and cited the world over. But, if Prime Minister Modi’s speech to IIT-Madras graduates on September 30 is anything to go by, we are doing better.

In all, 2,585 degrees were awarded during this convocation at the packed Students Activities Centre (SAC) auditorium. The would-be graduates, for the first time, were all attired in white or cream traditional India dress.

When the PM entered the auditorium with an entourage which included the Tamil Nadu governor, chief minister and deputy chief minister, as well as the Minister for Human Resource Development, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank,’ he received a thunderous applause. Soon there were chants of “Modi, Modi, Modi.” Such is his almost mesmeric appeal and popularity. Modi said, “In front of me is both a mini-India and the spirit of new India. There is energy, vibrancy and positivity. I could see dreams of the future in your eyes. I could see the destiny of India in your eyes.” He asked those gathered to give a standing ovation not only to their parents and teachers but also the support staff: “The silent, behind the scenes people who prepared your food, kept the classes clean, kept the hostels clean.”

PM Modi emphasised that innovation was the key to India’s aspiration to be $5 trillion economy: “Innovation is a great blend of economics and utility. IIT Madras was born in that tradition.” He praised the Institute for creating “a robust ecosystem for innovation, for incubating research and development in our country.” During his successful recent visit to the US, he said the one common thread was “optimism about new India. The Indian community has made a mark for itself all over the world, especially in science, technology and innovation. Who is powering this? Lot of them are your IIT seniors. You are making brand India stronger globally.”

Seated in the first row right in front of the PM’s podium, I was privileged to have a ringside view of this extraordinary event. I was among the 17 chief guests who handed out degrees in separate ceremonies in the different departments of IIT-M in that afternoon after the main function in the morning. To my right sat M M Murugappan, chairman of the $6 billion Murugappa Group, to my left the much younger Anshuman Singhania, who heads JK Tyres. Just beside him was Kris Gopalakrishnan, one of the founders and former Vice-Chairman of Infosys.

In my own convocation speech to Humanities and Social Science graduates, I reminded them that the oldest recorded convocation speech in human history was in the Taittiriya Upanishad (c. 6th century BCE). The teacher exhorts the graduating students: “Satyam vada; dharmam chara; svãdhyãyãn mã pramadaha” — “Speak the truth. Abide in the dharma. Never be slack in your studies” (Taittireeya Upanishad: 1/11). What follows in the second section is the famous shanti mantra, part of IIT-M graduate’s pledge: Om sahana vavatu. Later in the same Upanishad is the verse, “Matruvevo bhava, pitrudevo bhava, atithidevo bhava.” Finally, the teacher says, “O disciples! Perform only those actions which are in accordance with the shastras and society….After leaving here, if you find a teacher better than me, then respect him, pay homage to him” (Taittireeya Upanishad: 1/11). How broadminded our ancient rishis were.

That brought me to the crux of the matter. I told the students that, after many centuries, we are fortunate to participate in the birth of a new India. 110 years ago, in the inaugural issue of his journal, Karmayogin (No.1, 19 June 1909), Sri Aurobindo made a prophecy that India was “sure to succeed because the freedom, unity and greatness of India have now become necessary to the world.” 

Moreover, India’s swaraj was not merely political independence, but nothing short of integral perfection: “Of that task politics is a part, but only a part. We shall devote ourselves not to politics alone, nor to social questions alone, nor to theology or philosophy or literature or science by themselves, but we include all these in one entity which we believe to be all-important, the dharma, the national religion which we also believe to be universal.” India had a special mission among the nations: “Our aim will, therefore, be to help in building up India for the sake of humanity.”

At the IIT-Madras convocation, I felt as if these rousing words of Sri Aurobindo rang even truer today. Director Bhaskar Ramamurthi, with the support and teamwork of the entire Institute fraternity, had pulled off a remarkably successful and memorable event.

The author is Director, IIAS, Shimla Views are personal