Convocation day: Adding a new milestone in your journey

Watching a university full of students seated before us, flanked by their parents and teachers, I was carried back to my own convocation day, several decades ago. A milestone which signals the completion of your journey at the University, it marks the start of your onward journey of continuous education in the real university of life. Over the years, graduation has come to be celebrated as an event which is almost as important as one's wedding. Some years ago, while studying at Harvard, I remember how the streets and shops of Cambridge seemed to reflect the festive spirit of celebration of graduation. Shops were filled with wares and stationary, ranging from special watches, rings, invitation cards to a host of mementoes and a host of food and meal offers to commemorate the graduation. A highlight of the graduation is the commencement address by the chief guest. This reminds me of the famous 'wear sunscreen song' which was originally a column written by Mary Schmich of the Chicago Tribune in 1997. This reiterated the fact that 'Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young', and yet offered some advice and warnings for helping people live a happier life. This hypothetical commencement speech was used by Baz Luhrmann as a song which became super popular across continents, back then.

Keeping that in mind, in the commencddress at the 50th graduation ceremony at the DD University at Nadiad, I refrained from giving a list of 'dos and don'ts'. As I sat on stage staring at the rows of students seated before me, I noticed the twinkle in their eyes, the ring in their voice as they cheered, and the bounce in their gait as they walked up the stage. These were clearly young minds all set to soar high in their flight of life and work. The graduation conveyed 'ready, set, go', as they embarked on the dizzy journey of life, brimming with possibilities. While I wished and prayed that all their dreams and aspirations came true, I also hoped that some really big dreams of theirs didn't come true. They must have been a tad 'foxed' or confused by that.

Over the years, knowing of the excellent reputation that the University, especially the Institute of Technology had come to have, I was curious to know the history and story of the university, which was shared by the current President of the institution, Kushal Desai, the grandson of the founder. Dharmsinh Desai, a brilliant, committed, young man dreamt of studying at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and worked hard to get admission at MIT. However, due to family and financial constraints, he was unable to go there. This unfulfilled dream haunted and goaded him to actually set up an academic institute in his fifties, which has come to be among the best in the country. Looking at the 1400-odd students gathered to graduate that evening, I imagined the tremendous impact this institute was having on these students, their families and the various organisations they would work in. I explained how some unfulfilled dreams can lead to even better creations than what we may have dreamt, I shared with them. The 23-lessons shared with the young graduates by Sasha Mirchandani were as inspiring as the simple, yet powerful message of Kushal Desai of 'Trust and Respect' to be cultivated by all. He referred to the best selling book 'Speed of Trust: The one thing that changes everything' by Stephen M. R. Covey.

Earlier in the day, I was happy to see that the frugal ventilators designed by an alumnus of the university based in the US used across the ICUs. A campus which is clean and green, thanks to the untiring efforts of the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Harshadbhai Desai. Almost every brick, window exuded a glow that endorsed the commitment to excellence of late Dharmsinh Desai. DDU also stands for Discipline, Dedication and Upliftment, the hallmark of the students here, added the Registrar, Dr Jain. As the graduation procession walked past the students and parents gathered there, the joy on their faces was palpable. As students across the state and country get their results, let's hope that they celebrate the success and also learn to deal with their failures or setbacks. Afterall, some stark disappointments too give birth to some best creations, such as the one we witnessed at DDU.

The author is a Harvard-educated civil servant & writer, and has worked in the education sector 
jayanti.ravi.dna@gmail.com