GRADUATION DAY

“Take pride in how far you have come

Have faith in how far you can go.”    mahatria Ra

Every year, Graduation Day is a celebration of the completion of schooling, in NSN. It is a solemn occasion. Students of std XII and their parents are invited to the function. Candles are lighted and they take the eleven-point oath for students, written by Dr. Abdul Kalam. It is administered by the Principal. The Correspondent then delivers the Graduation address. This is for all those out there who have completed their schooling. The qualities NSN has inculcated in the students are those that can be imbibed by any student. This is the text.

‘’ This is the most defining year of your life. This is the day you step out of the cocoon to become a beautiful butterfly. There is no growth or evolution without an uncomfortable transition.

                                   “Growth needs transformation

                                     Transformation needs change

                                     Change needs transition

                                     And transitions are never comfortable”

What was the school doing during your growing up years?

It was not only sharpening your intellect, but also inculcating discipline and values, building your character, strengthening human compassion, bringing grace and charm to the mind, broadening your perspective, sowing seeds of responsible citizenship, instilling patriotism, nourishing your mind and soul, through various activities and by providing you experiences.

In NSN we have moved mountains to provide you holistic growth. The school has never lost sight of its goal, but has only strengthened its determination to contribute to a better world.

We believe that love is not love that pampers and makes you fall in life. Love is love that creates. Hence, the school never catered to your likes and dislikes, in matters of discipline.

The school never endorsed everything that you did or wanted to do. Rather, the school did everything that was needed to be done for your well-being. As an individual, you have the power to execute your choices. To stand for what is right is tough because you will be taking the road less travelled.

With so many alternatives available and peer pressure, it is difficult to choose what is right. But, do you wish to be one in the crowd or one above the crowd?  This question will help you to make the right choice.

The school was tough on you, so that, life is infinitely easy for you. As you step into adult life, it is time to recall, recount, ruminate, relive and reflect on your evolution and growth in the last fifteen years. The fifteen years that went by were actually preparing you for bigger challenges and greater opportunities.

NSN was always preparing you for life and not just for the Board exam. It provided holistic education. The school gave you a conducive environment. The day always started with mahatria’s message and meditation. The morning prayer was followed by Thirukkural and the Oath of originality, a self-affirmation, which helped in building your self-confidence. The four mantras uttered by you is more than enough to live the rest of your life;

I will practice Ahimsa

I will make my life count

I will make my country proud

I will live to look up to myself

Anything that is practiced for twenty-one days becomes a habit. So, the school  practiced “Will Power drive” on different themes and also gave you expression grounds through the “Tree of Joy.” The school insisted that you put yourself in a choiceless state in matters of importance, and thus inculcated discipline in you. Punctuality was a quality that was inculcated in you from your kindergarten classes. This was done to develop a powerful mind. Legendary people developed a powerful mind and attributed their success to it. The higher you want to scale in life, the greater will be the challenge. If the mind is powerful, there will be no give ups in life, but only go ups.

“Time management is not clock management, but life leadership” – mahatria Ra

Gratitude is the mother of all virtues. Your school created so many occasions for you to offer your gratitude and love to your parents on Thanksgiving Day (Children’s Day) and Matru-Pitru Vandanam, to your teachers on Guruvandanam day (Guru Poornima), to the Support staff through Bouquet of Thanks, to someone who has impacted your life on “Joy of Loving” day (Valentine’s Day).

You were made to involve yourself in the Swachh Bharat, Clean My School Campaign, in which, students and staff cleaned the school, house wise, every Friday. Some of you also participated in street plays to create awareness amongst the general public on World Mental Health Day, World Alcoholism Day, etc. The school taught you to look beyond “Me, mine & myself” by encouraging you to raise funds for a social cause every year. All this was done to make you responsible citizens and to live a selfless life.

Your school worked on your Attitude, Skill and Knowledge. As mahatria says, “Attitudes do not care where we shape them. Once shaped, they become our behavior, either creating us or destroying us in the process.”

Much after you leave your school, you will still remember it. But will your school remember you? When a book is published about the Alumni Achievers of NSN, will you find a place in it? It is in your hands to write your own script. Make your life a blockbuster worth watching out for!”

                                                     Jai Hind!!!

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