*From Adversity To Opportunity Chief Guest’s Address by Mukesh Ambani, Vice
Chairman And Managing Director, Reliance Industries Limited*
*Annual Prize Giving 2001, Daly College, Indore, November 9, 2001*
*Ladies and Gentlemen,*
*Thank you for inviting me for Annual Prize Giving event of your school. I
am here to share your joy on this occasion. I will also like to share with
you the reasons why I have travelled all the way to be here with you this
evening. *
*My young friends,*
*An institution, specially an educational institution, is like a huge tree.
A tree is judged by its delicious fruits, fragrant flowers and its
beautiful leaves. An educational institution is adjudged by the quality of
its students, the dedication of its teachers and the vision of its
management. Trees whither away if they are not nourished continuously.
Institutions decline if they are not continuously renewed. The Daly College
is a strong and robust 119-year old institution. It remains firmly rooted
in its tradition. At the same time, it continuously renews and modernizes
itself. This is a tribute to all those who nourish it with care, concern
and commitment. *
*It is true that I do not know many members of your alumni. In fact, this
is not necessary. I am aware that several of them have acquitted themselves
with distinction in various walks of life. But one fruit is enough to tell
us the quality of the tree. I have the privilege of knowing well one of the
highly acclaimed products of your institution: Shri Digvijay Singh. And
from that one outstanding member of your alumni, I have come to know
volumes about the values and ideals your institution represents. *
*Shri Digvijay Singh is much more than a leader of Madhya Pradesh. He
symbolises the aspirations and ambitions of modern India. He reminds us of
the quality of leadership our society needs, a society torn between the
pangs of economic development and stresses on its social fabric. His
greatest contribution lies in harmonizing these two conflicting pressures.
He personifies hope of progress that has the power to lift the cloud of
cynicism and despondency.*
*I have spent an hour in this campus. Its imposing architecture and
inviting gardens lend a quiet sense of dignity to this place. But I know
this institution derives vitality from the exemplary leadership of the
Board of Governors and Management, learned and dedicated teachers and from
enthusiastic and hardworking students. You have reasons to be proud of
being part of this great institution. My heartiest congratulations to all
of you who make this magnificent institution what it is. I am here to share
your sense of achievement and to strengthen your resolve to keep its
glorious flag flying.*
*To be able to maintain the great tradition of an institution for over a
century, is nothing short of a miracle. It requires an abiding commitment
to values, systems, processes and modernity. Daly College embodies this
commitment. My sincere compliments to Chairman Shri Narendra Singh Bidwal,
Board Members, Principal Dr. M.V. Prasad, teachers and all my young
friends.*
*Among you, my young student friends, there are some who receive prizes
today. There are others who could not make it. First, I would like to say a
few words to those who could not make it. At times like these, we should
promise ourselves to do better than before. A never-die spirit keeps us
going in the face of disappointment. It is not that all of us can excel in
everything. Each one of us has inherent strengths in some disciplines. We
need to build on those strengths. I would, therefore, urge you to put the
past behind. It is time to resolve to shine better than before.*
*Amongst the prize-winners are students who have excelled in academics,
co-curricular activities, sports, games and inter-house competitions. To
each one of them, I give my hearty congratulations for going beyond the
ordinary. Your accomplishments have infused a sense of pride among all your
well wishers. But I will advise you not to rest on your laurels. What has
been achieved is in the past. There are several higher peaks to climb. So,
look ahead and gear for greater achievements.*
*My friends,*
*I just now spoke of a never-die spirit. This is required not only in
examinations in school. It is required much more in the wide world,
specially in the present turbulent times. You are young. But you are alert.
You read newspapers, and listen to radio and television. You must have felt
that there is anxiety and uncertainty in the air. It is not surprising. An
unprecedented calamity has hit the world’s richest and the most powerful
country. Across the globe, men and women are feeling its traumatic effects.
There are several question marks about matters that were taken for granted
so far. Is it safe to live in high rise buildings? How safe is travel by
air? The world is at war against an invisible enemy. How long will this war
last? And now the fear of Anthrax is spreading. A bit of white powder
concealed in an ordinary envelope may be a messenger of death. There is
panic at these new forms of terror. Simultaneously, the global economy
faces a slow down. Several companies have already gone bust and several
others are in trouble. In America, and Europe, thousands of employees in
airlines and other industries have lost their jobs. In our own country we
witness a paradox. The government godowns are overflowing with food grains.
At the same time, we hear of deaths due to starvation and malnutrition.*
*POSITIVE THINKING*
*What should we do in such a situation? Should we allow these powerful
adverse currents to sweep us off our feet? Or should we search for ways to
change this disturbing scenario? I am strongly of the view that this is the
time not to be unhinged from our moorings. This is the time to pause for a
while and draw upon our inner resources of optimism and self-confidence.
This is the time to steer our lives towards normalcy. We must resume our
journey on the path of progress and development. For this, we must think
positive.*
*You may ask, ‘how does one think positive during these difficult times?’
In other ‘words, how does one move from adversity to opportunity?’ *
*OPPORTUNITIES*
*My dear friends,*
*You must have heard that there is a silver line in every cloud. This is a
truism of profound significance. The crisis we face demands creativity and
creativity consists in discovering opportunity in adversity. When our path
is covered with thick fog, we must look beyond it and continue to march
towards the destination. *
*Even in the prevailing atmosphere of widespread anxiety, I see several
opportunities ahead of us. These are brought about mainly by an
unprecedented revolution in technology. If we fully grasp these
opportunities, we will be able to defeat pessimism and chart out a bright
future for us. As individuals and as a nation.*
*Information Age*
*In the wide range of technological revolution, dramatic innovations in
information technology are of the greatest significance. New tools of
information technology can enable us generate employment opportunities on a
vast scale. Young boys and girls can now acquire new skills. Farmers can
increase their production manifold. Doctors can save many more lives.
Education can be imparted to young boys and girls outside schools. And
quality of life can be improved rapidly. Sitting in your living rooms, you
can watch events taking place on the other side of the planet – wars,
sporting events, and revolution – as they actually occur. Information and
communication revolution is changing the way we live and work.*
*All this comprises the vast spectrum of opportunity that beckons us.
Technological revolution has pulled down geographical barriers. You can sit
in Bhopal or Bangalore and work for Berlin, London or Washington. You can
be an architect in Indore designing a hospital in Dubai in consultation
with Engineers in New York and Doctors in Houston. You can continue the
consultations on your mobile as you drive from one place to another. You
can exchange maps and drawings by email and hold person-to-person
discussions by video-conferences. Time and distance are no longer an
insurmountable barrier. Communication is instant. *
*In the beginning of the technological revolution, we were told the globe
has become a small village. We now find the whole world becoming a common
home where everyone can be connected with each other. *
*The opportunities this opens up for each one of you are immense. You have
to realise it and prepare to grasp it. Our young boys and girls have earned
laurels all over the world for the quality of their mind and their ability
to absorb and apply the tools of information technology. Young Indians have
done it abroad. I am sure they can repeat that performance at home. And
that bright and hardworking students like you will grasp those
opportunities. This is the source of my optimism.*
*Biotech Age*
*In addition to information technology, there are several other promising
areas. The twentieth century was the century of physics and chemistry. The
twenty first century is the century of biology. Biotechnology can impact
every one of the 6 billion people in the world today, every single plant
and animal and every single material that we use. It has the potential to
find new cures for diseases, grow more out of existing resources and make
factories out of farms. We must seize this opportunity to create new
avenues of employment, growth and development.*
*MINDSETS*
*True, all these opportunities are there in front of us. But we must have
the right mindset to benefit from these opportunities. What are the
features of such a mindset, you may ask. *
*A positive outlook is the first attribute of a mindset that looks beyond
adversity to opportunity. *
*Competitiveness is the second important feature of a right mindset. I must
caution you, my young friends, that the world is getting far more
competitive. The numbers of those who take competitive examinations for
higher education and careers – IITs, IIMs, NDA are overwhelming. Let me
give you an inkling. We recently started the Dhirubhai Ambani Institute for
Information and Communication Technology at Gandhinagar. We had 22,000
applications. About 18,000 of them took an all India competitive entrance
test. We short listed 700 and finally selected 240. Being competitive
therefore becomes an imperative. You must not only fully assimilate
learning but also have a mindset that says that I will do better than the
best, not only in India, but in the world. This is because world has become
so small.*
*The third aspect of a right mindset is all about conviction. Specially
during times of adversity it is important that your fundamental convictions
remain unshaken. You must have the conviction that the goals you have set
are achievable. You must be confident that the means you have chosen are
effective. And, last but not the least, your determination to pursue your
goals should be unflinching. *
*The world in which you will be entering after your studies will demand
unwavering pursuit of excellence. In the world of tomorrow, it will not be
enough to be just a doctor who routinely treats or operates upon patients.
A doctor must be adept at tele-surgery conducted remotely using new
information and communication technologies. It will not be enough to be
just a farmer using modern farm implements. A farmer must be proficient in
using precision farming systems that apply information and communication
technologies and biotechnology. It will not be enough being an engineer,
who designs products, runs production systems and maintains machines. An
engineer must be an expert in complex engineered systems that use knowledge
from a variety of disciplines. You will be able to harness the enormous
emerging opportunities only if there is conviction and commitment to
excellence. *
*Thus, having a positive outlook, a competitive spirit, strong convictions,
and unwavering pursuit of excellence are important ingredients of a mindset
that helps transform adversities into opportunities.*
*CONCLUSION*
*Friends,*
*In the world of tomorrow what will matter is not muscle, money or
materials but the mind. And you have been lucky that your minds have been
moulded in an institution that nurtures the best in its students. *
*In the new world, accomplishment will come to those who pursue learning
and knowledge. Achievement will come only to those who learn to overcome
negativism and convert adversity to opportunity. I believe Daly College has
laid strong foundations. If you build on these foundations with confidence,
consistency and commitment, you will make your parents, teachers and your
institution proud.*
*I believe that our country has a very bright future. That within our
life-time, it will become a major economic power in the world. That her
people will have a quality of life comparable with the best in the world.
Cynicism and doubt will vanish. Optimism and confidence will prevail. And
you, my young friends, will make this possible. India looks to you with
great hopes. And I am sure you will make her dreams a reality.*
*I wish each one of you a very bright and successful future.*
*Thank you.*
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*வாழிய செந்தமிழ்! வாழ்க நற்றமிழர்!*
*வாழிய பாரதமணித் திருநாடு!*
[image: ☆Єʁɐ₲ѳɳ☆ Շիჯ вαᴆкᴉттч ツ_! Piinkeh] *v **a n a k k a m** S u b b u*
[image: ☆Єʁɐ₲ѳɳ☆ Շիჯ вαᴆкᴉттч ツ_! Piinkeh]
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