India’s second highest test wicket taker and former Indian international cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin on Thursday appealed to students to pursue excellence and continue to learn even after completing their formal education.
Speaking at the 23rd Graduation Day of Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Mr. Ashwin said that school and college years were the best time of everyone’s life, and young women and men should hold on to a larger cause after their higher education. “Whatever lies ahead of you, be it your career, financial liberation, or anything else, you should hold on to a good cause. Only then you will be strong with a steely resolve with the ability to fight your battles that come your way,” he remarked.
“There will be only a handful of people to support you, but you will come across plenty of people in your life who will try to run you down and say ‘you are not capable.’ Ignore all those who demotivate you, they are irrelevant. Stay focused and pursue excellence and always remember to keep on learning forever,” Mr. Ashwin said. Recalling his days as an engineering student himself, the legendary off spinner said that he found it very hard to balance his education as well as his game and that a proper time management helped him. “It was not easy, but looking back, I think what I learnt there and the tough times that I endured has made me what I am today,” he added.
Mr. Ashwin also handed over degree certificates and medals to meritorious students who had excelled in their respective specialization, in the presence of Chief Guest Dr. Prabu David, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Rochester Institute of Technology, New York, U.S.A., Dr. (Mrs.) Thangam Meganathan, Chairperson, Rajalakshmi Institutions and Mr. Abhay Meganathan, Vice Chairman, Rajalakshmi Institutions
In his address, Dr. David said that throughout its culture and history, India had given a lot of importance to education and pursuit of knowledge and Gurukul system of education was a testimony to this. Several Indians who were born and educated in India have brought laurels in the areas of education and economic growth by marking their stamp of excellence in various spheres the world over. Today the need to hone skills among youth to ensure a successful career had superseded the importance of character development.
1,601 graduates received their degrees on the occasion. They include 1,434 Under Graduates, 149 Post Graduates, and 18 Ph.Ds. Over 20 students received Gold Medals for securing top ranks.
