I stand here amazed at the sea of faces I see here tonight. I know it is your expression of love and kind regard towards me.
Thank you very much for being here when you had the choice to stay back home due to the rains pouring down outside.
I would like to thank the Management Association for selecting me for the Best Entrepreneur Award.
As I look back this has been a long journey. At the very outset of this journey there was disbelief among those who knew me. They questioned me on the wisdom of choosing to walk a road less travelled by.
The next challenge was finding the right people to believe in my dream. To my left and to my right they have been seated here. The manner in which each one of them became a strong pillar of support in this Organisation is a story in itself. Thank you dear members of my team. This award rightfully belongs to each one you.
Like any entrepreneur the fight for survival due to cash crunch and business idea failure came my way too. Those times were difficult. Those were times when I too questioned my leadership. The temptation to quit was stong. But I thank God Almighty for the grace given to survive those tough times. Success always comes with a price tag attached; doesn’t it?
If you ask me, at the end of the day, what it all meant I can answer in one word–wisdom. The wisdom that comes from experience that no management text book can ever teach.
If you ask me again, what gave me the motivation to go on; I can say it was the difference that my dream could make. Look at this village. Today it is a marked presence in all maps and not just a forgotten speck of dust in a vast land mass. Today so many families live with dignity and respect because of the work they have taken up not as a job but as a calling.
Today our Paper Bag making unit has impacted the society in a larger measure than we had dreamed of when we started. We have been able to diversify into eco-friendly bags not just paper. This I believe have encouraged a lot of people to say No to plastics and preserve this Planet Earth for the next generations to come.
If you ask me once more, what are your plans for retirement, my reply would be there aren’t any. For no true entrepreneur ever retires. The last lap is where the glory lies. It is a time given to give back yield in rich dividends from what you had received. This I wish to do with all my heart and with all the strength that God will grant me.
I dedicate this award to my team who stood with me in all the testing times.
Let me end by challenging each one of you to go back from here with a greater dream than you have seen so far. Live with a purpose and look back and see that long line of lives and families you empowered to live with dignity. What greater legacy can anyone hope to leave behind. Thanks you.
If you wish to be a man or woman of impact,
If you wish to do a few some good,
If you wish that others remember you long after you are gone,
Then listen my friend to what wisdom has got to say.
Listen to your heart;
It will tell you what you love to do with joy.
Listen to God;
He will open doors and guide you one step at a time.
Listen to critics;
They will tell you how you will never make it. Smile then. It is just a test of your resolve.
Listen to friends;
There will be one or two to believe in your dream.
Then begin your long journey forward.
Do not think your cause is lost when there are a few setbacks. No dreamer has made it without some loss.
But it is the joy of doing good,
The thrill of making a difference,
The thought of change you are going to bring about
That will keep you going strong.
As time moves on,
Learn to say No
To all that does not add
Anything worth to what you want to get done in life.
You might not be able to please all,
Some who stood with you will no longer along with you walk–
For when you climb higher
The more lonely you are!
It is tough
When people say bad things
About the good you want to do.
But that is part of the game you chose to play
To be a man or woman of impact.
If you truly love to make an impact,
You have to focus hard;
And be single-eyed with no other lesser goals in mind.
But with one aim move on.
Do not scatter light
But shine it with a steady beam!
You can be sure that somewhere down the line
A few will follow your light
And make it shine once more during a darker night!
Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!
All quotes below are taken from Azquotes
“I’m not afraid of failure; I’m afraid of succeeding at things that don’t matter.” — William Carey
“There is no success without sacrifice. If you succeed without sacrifice it is because someone has suffered before you. If you sacrifice without success it is because somone will succeed after.” — Adoniram Judson
“Let us never forget that what we are is more important than what we do.” — Hudson Taylor
“The eagle that soars in the upper air does not worry itself how it is to cross rivers.” — Gladys Aylward
“We have all eternity to celebrate the victories but only a few hours before sunset to win them.” — Amy Carmichael
“If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don’t want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all.”– David Livingstone
“God never uses a person greatly until He has wounded him deeply.The privilege He offers you is greater than the price you have to pay. The privilege is greater than the price.” — Helen Roseveare
“The light that shines farthest shines brightest nearest home.” — Charles Studd (Known as C. T. Studd, who was a famous cricketer who played in the original ashes test).
Some hurts in life keep hurting for long.
Some hurts can never be shared. You bear it all alone.
Some hurts come because of our own fully.
A few others because some others did something bad to you over which you had no control.
It is difficult to forgive or forget.
It is still difficult to erase memories.
It is most difficult to get over the feel that I am not good enough.
We all need help. Sometimes we have friends to stand along with us. But they cannot fight the waves of negativity that dump trash and garbage of the past into our minds repeatedly.
Rejection, abuse faced as a child, being made fun of by others, financial difficulties, unfair comparisons, negative labelling, failure in exams, and plenty of other reasons contribute to inferiority complex.
Now let me try to specify a few attitudes that can help:
The first one is that your life is precious. It has a purpose. If you believe that you can make a difference, you still can.
Secondly, do not try to get rid of inferiority complex. I doubt whether you can fully get rid of it. But instead of thinking of it as an enemy let us try to utilise it creatively. It can give you a killer instinct to win in life.
Thirdly, forget the past. It does not help you in any way to recap all the bad episodes time and again. Instead look forward with hope.
Finally, seek God’s help. You might be having anger against God for allowing all those negatives in your life. Agreed, you have every right to feel so.
But he is still standing there to help. Therefore ask for help. He will use all that darkness in your life to build character in you.
Beyond all this, if you allow it, God can bless others through the brokenness in your life. It might take a long time, but he will also make the burden of your memories light!
In conclusion, let me tell you that inferiority complex is not a problem that is solved in a moment’s time. Sometimes it can be a lifelong battle. Those who are suffering from inferiority complex need not lose heart if the struggle seems too long drawn out. There is yet hope. Do not despise yourself. But be thankful that you can still make a positive and creative difference in the lives of others in spite of struggling with feelings of inferiority!
Influence is one key measure of leadership. It is often achieved through how a leader communicates.
A leader who is always busy and doesn’t have time for the individual is already out of the competition. So make it point to welcome interruptions as an opportunity to listen to others.
A leader who listens and is unable to help the other person have clarity on his confused thoughts has just wasted a lot of time. The other person expects a word of wisdom, a sense of direction, or at least a ray of hope. Be sure you provide that in your conversations.
A leader who forgets to say a genuine word of appreciation is never liked. He may be feared but will not earn any points on loyalty from members of his team. What fear and criticism fails to achieve is made possible through one kind and thoughtful word. “Anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up (Proverbs 12:25 Bible).”
A leader who dictates will not last long. But gentle words of persuasion can break a bone is what Biblical wisdom* says. Speak gently, let logic and reason drive things home. Don’t yell at people and advertise to the world how small you really are.
A leader who is an influencer will make an attempt to see the hidden potential of a person. Even when a person is far from having achieved what he is capable of the leader’s role is constantly paint in words a picture of what the future is going to be for that person. Someday he will be grateful that you believed in him when others did not.
A leader who forgets to keep promises made is busy digging his grave. But those who do not break their word is building up a huge deposit account. At a time of crisis he will be able to encash some of this reserve.
Finally, a leader’s influence is in direct proportion to the example he sets. One act of being there for someone in a moment of need can enhance the way your team or followers see you. If you are privileged to skip the queue and even then you choose to stand with others anyway is an act of identification with others in your team.
Well, leadership is one fine art of creating influence wherever you go.
Most of us worry constantly. We worry about our health, our finances, our marriage, our careers, our children, exams and interviews, and our future. Many, if not all, worry about their appearance as well.
Why are we constantly worrying? Even though we know that worry accomplishes nothing positive, for some strange reason people do not stop worrying. Neither you nor me! Why is this so?
Fear and insecurity might top the list of worry-causing factors. We fear almost everything. Starting from fear of the dark and strangers, it can move to fear of failure and rejection and many more of the like.
It is easy to say, “Get rid of worry.” Practically it is difficult to achieve. But it is important that we try.
Most of us worry about tomorrow.It is such a killer disease. That is why Jesus asked us to learn a lesson from the birds of the air. He said that they don’t sow or reap or collect food in barns. Yet their heavenly Father takes care of them.
Yes, through this example, he was trying to get our attention to the fact that it is a complex daily process, worldwide in scope, that God is seeing to everyday without fail.
But that is not all. He asked a question, “Are you not much more valuable than they?” This is another way of asking, “Don’t you know that you are my child and you belong to me because you put your trust in me? Will I fail to meet your life’s daily needs when I’ve taken care of your eternity?”
He also asked us to look at the grass of the field and consider how God has clothed them. The point he wanted to make was that your heavenly Father knows your needs even before you ask him. In another context he said that even a sparrow sold for a small amount does not fall to the ground without your heavenly Father knowing it. Even the very hairs of your head are numbered. Therefore do not be afraid.
The point is that God who does not forget the sparrow will not forget you or any of your needs. Let me conclude by saying that the one way to get out of the habit of worrying is to trust in your heavenly Father’s care. He knows you by name. He knows your inner struggles, conflicts and despair.
What if you knew that he is not pointing an accusing or condemning finger at you! His arms are opened wide. If only you would come to him! It takes time, a lot of time, even a lifetime to learn to trust God’s leading in one’s life. But God is patient. He waits for you to learn to trust him. He wants you to be glad and without worry!
That in no way means life is going to be easy. That in no way means there won’t be sickness, hurt in relationships, or financial difficulties. That in no way means you won’t face any difficulties in your career. But what it means is that your Heavenly Father knows what your are going through; his watchful eyes are on you; and he will provide what you need at the right time of his choosing.
Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!
This post is based on Matthew 6:25–34, Luke 12:6, 7. Bible
“God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him”
— 1 Peter 5:7 (Bible, Contemporary English Version)
“And when I was burdened with worries, you comforted me and made me feel secure”
— Psalm 94:19 (Bible, Contemporary English Version)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:6, 7.
“Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” — Corrie Ten Boom
In this short speech (Read on LinkedIn) I would like to focus on a few courageous women who dared to dream.
They challenged the sterotype roles imposed on women.
They boldly said that Space was not off-limits to women.
Through their brilliant examples, they persuaded us to leave our comfort zones and push beyond known horizons.
Some of the women like Kalpana Chawla the first Indian woman to go to Space inspired us. Her sense of awe for the heavens started when she was small and lying in her cot looking up at the skies during summer nights. It reminds us that every achievement starts with a vision of reaching there; where your heart is speaking you to go.
Her example like other women who went to Space is a call to go from here to there;
from what is known to the unknown;
from what is seen to what is visible in the dark;
where noise is an eternal silence
and distance is simply vastness unending.
So listen to your heart.
But a lot of people never dare to try to achieve what their heart says to them. The reason is that they look at circumstances and they turn back. But what Sunita Williams, yet another Indian astronaut, who did a lot of spacewalks said should challenge us. She spoke from her heart when she said: “Don’t get bogged down by the notion of limits. There aren’t any.”
Now daring to dream doesn’t mean the journey is easy. Like any other adventure mission to Space also had its dangers. Some of the women met with tragedy like Christa McAuliffe, a high school teacher, who lost her life in the Challenger disaster in 1986. She was such an inspiration to the student community. The then President of the United Sates comforting a nation in grief concluded his speech by saying that the crew had “slipped the surly bonds of earth” to “touch the face of God.”
Kalpana Chawala too lost her life when Columbia space shuttle broke apart during reentry to the earth’s atmosphere in 2003. In a glowing tribute from her high school it was said that “She always wanted to reach the stars. She went there, and beyond.” Their deaths while in the path of duty and action remind us that there is a sacrifice involved and a cost to be paid when you follow the dictates of the heart.
We also need to remember that our lives are better today because someone showed us the way ahead. Yes, they did so at great personal cost and sacrifice. They were in the relentless pursuit to better science and humanity. In this context let us look at some of the the pioneers among women in Space expeditions.
The Russioan Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman in space in 1963. This “First Lady of Space,” said “A bird cannot fly with one wing only. Human space flight cannot develop any further without the active participation of women.” Her words reflect the fact that God made both men and women in his likeness and to complement each other; and not to fight with each other for supremacy.
Svetlana Savistskaya, became the first woman to walk in space in 1982. She was again the first woman to be sent to space twice. Eileen Collins, a colonel in the U.S. Air Force became the first woman to pilot a space ship in 1995 and later in 1999 the first female to command a space ship. These were small steps but giant leaps of inspiration to women in all walks of life. Women were proving themselves able to blaze new trails and lead with confidence.
Now there are questions of work-life balance being raised everywhere around the world. Especially with working mothers increasing in the workforce. Space exploration was no exception. And it was the American astronaut Anna Lee Fisher who became the first mother to go to Space in 1984 when her eldest daughter was barely two-years old. It was work away from home; the farthest distance possibly achieved by any woman.
That brings us to yet another notable point. Travel to space means spending a lot of time getting prepared for it. There is much physical and emotional stress. The challenges are many. Yet women who went to space took up that challenge; even the test of feeling isolated in the vastness of space.
Above all this, women broke all kinds of sterotypes by their travels to space. There was a time a few decades ago that women were thought best for careers in teaching, nursing, or banking. Today, women have challenged all those sterotyping and has made it big in Space programmes including Space tourism as well.
Let me conclude.In the light of dreaming big, making great sacrifices, showing pioneering spirit, achieving work-life balance, displaying leadership, enduring stress, and challenging stereotypes; women who went to space have impacted our thinking in a big way.
They have truly challenged us to move beyond our comfort zones, say goodbye to our excuses, and set out on a journey of exploration and daring adventure. They have truly reached for the stars and beyond and inspiring us continually to do the same.
You cannot make it big if you fool around with time. I agree that coming for your training sessions does not excite you the way the real game does. But that is no excuse for you to come late.
When you come late you are showing disrespect to others. You are showing that you don’t care for leadership and authority.
When you come late you are disrupting carefully laid out plans. Now what does that mean?
Think about it: Whether plans just happen or plans have to be well thought out? And that takes time, invaluable time.
When you come late, you are telling us you are somehow bigger than the team. You are showing us that you can afford to keep all of us waiting.
Taken together how many hours of all of us you wasted when you came 20 minutes late?
That is why I am asking you to give your best each time you are out here for the practice sessions.
But that alone is not the purpose. There is a higher one that should motivate you. You are here to be a good player who learns to be disciplined.
Without strict discipline none of you will make it big in real life. You might win championships and lose in life. Will that not be disastrous? Think about it.
So today I demand that you come on time. It is a commitment that you should make. If you think you are above all this; the team will do better without you.
You should learn to be proud about the jersey you wear, the cap you don, and the team you represent. You say, “I don’t care about any of these things,” when you come late for our training sessions.
Today I am cancelling all practice sessions for the next one week! You know what that means?
It means that the majority of players suffer because a few of you came late. “Isn’t that unjust Coach,” you might ask?
Yes, it is unjust. But that is the only way I see to make you understand the value of time and discipline. That is the only way I see to drill some character into you!
And next Monday sharp 5:00pm we meet for training. If anyone is late by one minute, you don’t play with this team again. Is that clear?
Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!
“You’ve got to have great athletes to win, I don’t care who the coach is. You can’t win without good athletes but you can lose with them. This is where coaching makes the difference.”
I talk to you today because I’ve been there.
Not once or twice, but many times.
I know what it feels like to be discouraged.
I know what it feels like being a failure.
I know what it feels like when all around you people are full of fun and happiness but you are down.
Yes friends, discouragement has put more people in the side benches than have casualties in war.
It has sapped the strength of talented people committed to their cause and calling.
It has taken away from people their confidence.
It has made people forget that there is a purpose for which they can live for.
I hope I am not speaking to listeners far away, but to you.
Yes, to you, who now with dropping shoulders stand before me with that desperate look in your eyes as if there is no tomorrow.
Let me thunder in your ears.
The night shall not remain.
The dawn will break.
And you shall rise from your bed of despair with renewed strength and hope.
First of all, know that someone believes in you. Yes, I along with God, believe in failures. I believe your rotten performance today cannot erase what you truly are within you.
Hey team, you are talented; but talent will not take you places.
What you need is grit.
A game lost; a trophy not won is not the end of life.
Fame is a bubble; when for a moment all lights flash on you.
But today, we show character when all eyes are turned away from us.
Yes, we choose, to stay undefeated in our failures!
All of us have struggled at some point in life in taking decisions; haven’t we? In this short speech let me outline a few simple practical steps to take decisions.
First you need information. Collect it from as many sources as possible. When collecting information from the internet make sure it is credible. Then list out information that is most compelling which you cannot ignore.
Secondly list out the positives and negatives. Know that every decision has consequences. Try to think through all that can happen in favour of your decision and against.
Next you have to assess time available. To take some decisions you get days or even months. For some other decisions like applying sudden brake while driving; you get hardly a split second.
Having collected information, listed out pros and cons, and assessed time available; you need to start eliminating choices. There are obvious items in your list that you now know can be discarded easily. Once this is done, you are left with toughly competing choices.
It is at this time courage fails. The voices of your critics and people who constantly advice against your dreams and ambitions will sound loud in your mind. And you will feel like being pulled apart in all directions.
At this time asking friends and experienced people might be helpful. Sometimes such conversations can throw light on some grey areas. That will ease your struggle a bit and give you peace of mind.
Then there is the question of motives. Are you taking a particular decision because you have some hidden agenda? For example you might say that you want to study at a far away reputed University. But the real motive might be to enjoy independence and be away from home. Examples like this are many. So find out your true motives before you decide.
Equally important is what to do when you are put under pressure. Let me tell you point blank that when people put pressure on you to take decisions; the safe answer is a bold NO! In case it is a mistaken decision you can easily change that to an Yes; can’t you?
Now it is time to understand that you should learn to discern between major and minor decisions. If you are someone who spent a lot of time analyzing what to eat for breakfast or whether to carry an umbrella with you; then you have a problem. Be decisive in taking decisions; and start that habit with the simple decisions you make each day. That will help you make a clear decision for a major choice someday.
Finally, I cannot emphasize enough about trust and dependence on God in taking decisions. The Bible says,
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.”*
In no way does it minimize or do away with all the intelligent thinking you have to do. But a pilot of an aeroplane finds safety in being guided by instructions from the control tower. All you need is a listening ear and willingness to obey.
Little did any one of us imagine that we will meet together like this after twenty-five years. It seems like it was only yesterday that we parted from here.
Twenty-five years is a long time. A few of our loved ones–both teachers and our friends had left us sorrowing. But like a train that just halts briefly we stopped; and then continued our journey forward.
Some of us found success in our careers; while some others still search for meaning in their work. Most of us found our helpmeets and have shared struggles common to all families.
Life, my dear friends, was not predictable; was it? See where it has taken each one of us. How differently we had thought in our teenage days! How varied were our dreams! Yet one thing common was our hope that the future would be bright.
Yes, looking back, we can be thankful to God for bringing us this far. As we become the same old friends once again today in the same old classrooms where our friendships bloomed; let us celebrate with much joy.
Life is busy with each one of us. Yet this gathering together here today shows that we all have time for that what is important; what is cherished, loved, valued and held dear to our hearts.
So let us celebrate. Let us take time to be that young school boy and girl that each one of us was twenty-five years ago. Let us remember the times we studied together, played together, and had times of wonderful companionship.
Life is brief. What seemed like a long journey now seems like the blink of an eye, a dream, a page turned over. I wonder how many of us will make it to the golden jubilee. That reunion might happen with the stars in the galaxies.
But this moment is ours. In another three days we say goodbye again. Some of us will never meet again. So we spend time here together fully knowing well that all that we have is only gifted from above.
So with thankful hearts, joyous tears, and the scent of this Jasmine-decked hall evoking nostalgic memories; I welcome each one of you and wish each one of you a wonderful silver jubilee reunion.
Thank you.
Speech of Felicitation by Former Principal
My dear children,
I am now running the last lap of my life on earth. It is with great happiness that I accepted your invitation to be here this evening. What a joy to see all your faces once again.
It has made me young once more. As I look back at your time at school; those days were filled with lively activity with each one of you contributing to academics and co-curricular activities of the school.
Many of you, I remember had made the school proud through your achievements. I remember the school band where some of you played. The Annual Athletic Meet, the Science fair, the Christmas celebrations, and many more were times of fun, refreshing, and purposeful recreation.
Today, I feel honoured that you brought all the former teachers together. I thank you for the love and gratitude you have showered on us. We feel happy that some of our efforts inspired you to dream big and create a future for yourself.
I take this opportunity to wish you all well. The only reminder perhaps is that of giving back. Time will run its swift course; and before long you will find yourself where most of your former teachers are today–in the sunset years of their lives.
Therefore use every opportunity wisely. Create platforms for others to succeed. I am very glad that one among you has won the Best Entrepreneur Award. Hope many more from this silver jubilee reunion will follow his example.
The last two hours will not be forgotten. The kind of emotions I feel are like the waves that keep rolling in. Joy; especially the freedom to be the young boys and girls we once were is just exhilarating. I am sure this is not just what my heart alone says; but given a chance each one of you will whisper and shout the same things that I shared.
As the Organising Secretary of the Silver Jubilee Reunion, it was my pleasant task to get in touch with each one of you. What a joy it was to connect with all of you dear teachers and friends. Even though life took us on different roads; we all found our way back to our second home, our dear Alma Mater once again.
To all my friends who supported me with getting connected with our teachers and batchmates a big thank you. To all teachers who are currently part of the school and who supported us with arranging this venue and providing us with all needed logistics, a heartfelt thank you from all of us. To all our former teachers, let me tell you words will not be enough to say thanks, for your kindness in being part of our silver jubilee reunion and for blessing us with your gracious presence. We always will remain the same old children you taught in those evergreen years. Thank you so very much.
Such a mega event would never be possible without supporting finances. To all my friends who took care of the sponsorships and to all of you who contributed generously, much and more than we asked or expected; thank you very much.
Above all, to God Almighty, without whom I firmly believe this memorable night will not have been possible; belong our deepest thanks.
The night tonight will be long. Music, dance, and entertainment will fill the air. To all of you who will electrify this night with your talents, sincere thanks. Once again, thank you one and all.
Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!
2000 years ago, a historic never-forgotten night that stretched long into the early hours of morning is remembered also for the following note of hope . . .
Farewell and the Promise of a Reunion Beyond Time
Jesus Christ, the night he was betrayed and arrested, the last night before his death on the cross, delivered this comforting farewell address to his disciples. He began by saying:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
If you ask me what is that people fear the most about public speaking ; I can answer in one word: Mistakes! I can almost see you nod your head in agreement. I have learned that mistakes will comeno matter how talented you are or how best prepared you are. It is just the way we human beings are.
If you ask me again, what is that people fear about public speaking, I can answer again in one word: Criticism! This is tougher still. “What will others think about me?” Well, what can you do about that; absolutely nothing. People might smile at you and say nasty things behind your back. Well, why should you lose your sleep about something that you have no control over at all? Think about it.
Now, what if your mind goes blank? And thus make yourself a fool on stage! So what; my friend? Many great speakers began this way; and there is nothing to be ashamed about that. The brain sometimes makes its presence known by such tricks that it plays. Don’t worry; your mind will back you up with better speeches in the days ahead.
Now what if your speech is boring? Well you don’t become an interesting speaker the Day 1 you speak. It happens over time. The key is to understand people. Ask yourself what their fears, needs, and dreams are? You need to learn to speak not just logic but also with feeling and emotions. Simply be yourself and touch on life and life experiences while you talk.
Above all; create memories. Not just speeches. If one person smiles because of what you said; if one person is inspired to hold on for one more day and not give up saying “I quit” ; if one person comes up to you years later and says that the words you spoke made a lasting impact on his or her life; if one person makes a connect with hope in God through your words; then that is what is the true stuff speeches should be made of.
Let me close with one final word. Some golden rules are never meant to be violated. Keep it short and simple is one such. And when you are in doubt about something you feel like speaking; it is always better to leave it out.
Of course, you can glide in or halt with tires screeching or get people ready to act while you end. And remember, if you attempted to speak; if you gave your very best; then even if you failed—it is triumph!
The first thing you need to be clear about is where and how your plane is going to land. Your audience will not like it if you go around in circles indefinitely and without purpose at the end of your speech.
Imagine you telling them, “That’s all” at the end of your speech. It is like the panic announcement over the loudspeakers after you have fastened your seat belts. As you eagerly await the landing; it is as if the Pilot announced, “I don’t know how to land this plane!”
So make sure where you are heading your plane to.
In case you want people to remember something after you stop speaking, you can try something like: “Let me end by reminding you once again that cleanliness is next to godliness. So if you find bits of paper lying on the floor making the place untidy, make sure you pick them up.”
If you want people to go home thinking about what you just said in your speech, just give them a thought to think about and ask them to think about it: “Now let me end by asking you, ‘Would you like to stay where you are and be like a frog in the well; or would you like to travel the world and have a taste of different cultures, manners, customs, and foods of the people all over the globe? Think about it.”
If you wish people to take immediate action, urge them to do something about it at the earliest. Right now if possible: “My dear friends, the simplest steps to save water and electricity is right at your finger tips. When you step out of your home, just go to every room and check if all lights and fans are switched off. If not, switch it off. Similarly make sure no taps are dripping. Close all taps. It is that simple. Do it now, do it every day.”
If you want to impact people make a thundering landing and crash into the nearby building in fire and smoke: “If not today, know that there is no other day. This is your last match. Go and play like you will never play again. And don’t come back with your tails tucked between your legs. As a coach I have taught you everything I know. But play I cannot. Winning or loosing isn’t everything; but today winning is all that matters. Get me that glittering trophy or go sell peanuts on the streets tonight. I will not accept anything short of victory.”
You can go for a quote at the end if it ties up with the topic of your speech quite strongly. For example, if you are speaking on Father’s Day, what General Mac Arthur said about a Father who builds up rather than tears down is a case in point: “By profession, I am a soldier, and take pride in that fact, but I am prouder, infinitely prouder, to be a father. A soldier destroys in order to build; a father only builds, never destroys. The one has the potentialities of death; the other embodies creation of life; and while the hordes of death are mighty, the battalions of life are mightier still. It is my hope that my son, when I am gone, will remember me, not from the battle, but in the home repeating with him our simple, daily prayer, our Father Who art in Heaven.”
And don’t forget how advertisers find a lodging place for their products in the hearts of millions; through that slogan or sound bite that grips thoughts and emotions. Something like Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream,” something simple and persuasive like Obama’s “Yes, we can.” Apple co-founder Steve Job’s conclusion to his 2005 Stanford Commencement address, “Stay hungry, stay foolish” is a classic example of a sound bite that puts down its roots deep.
Yet another simple method to end is by going for a very short illustration or story. For example: A little girl was seen reading a book in a plane which had hit bad weather. Others around were tensed; some were earnestly praying for a safe landing. A man observed that there was no worry or anxiety on the face of a child seated next to him. So he asked her, “Little girl, are you not afraid.” She replied, “Sir, my Dad is the pilot, and he is taking me home.” Our trust in God our Heavenly Father should be like how this little girl trusted her Dad to pilot her home!
Finally, let me ask you not to make the mistake that millions of speakers make all the time. They start working on the introduction first. Then they work on the body of their speech. By the time all this is ready; they don’t have time to prepare the concluding lines. So they decide to land their plane as lucky as it gets. So far in the history of flying planes and public speaking no one has landed safely without planning a safe landing to perfection.
Hope from now on you will have the end in mind when you begin!
What is the purpose of education? Is it just imparting knowledge? Or something more?
Respected teachers and my dear friends,
I stand here today to oppose the topic, “Schools of tomorrow will have no teachers or books.”
Let me try to answer the question about the purpose of education. If it is imparting of knowledge alone; it is a short-sighted goal indeed. What about character formation? What about values like honesty, punctuality, discipline, and respect? These are learned in school in the early years. It has stayed with us; and I am sure will stay with children in future too.
But the argument is that in future when attendance is marked in class, both teachers and books will be missing. I wonder who dreamed about this improbable idea!
Let me ask again: How did the world get the gift of such a fine mind like Helen Keller? Was it not Anne Sullivan’s patient encouragement? And to those who are not aware, Ann Sullivan was the teacher of the blind, deaf and mute genius Helen Keller. And you still want to argue that there will be no teachers in future? Or read the autobiography Wings of Fire. There you will find the missile man of India, the late President Dr.A.P.J. Abdul Kalam paying glowing tributes to the teachers who influenced him to dream big.
When you think about schools, I request you all not to just to think about schools for normal kids alone. What about children who are specially or differently abled? Do you think that such children can come into the mainstream of society without teachers or books? Or do you plan to totally ignore this special group of otherwise talented kids for the sake of embracing the bleeding edge developments in science and technology? Think about it.
“No more teachers or books” means just one thing. There will be many a graveyard and valley of dry bones in the world where the unfulfilled potential of children will lie buried. Great talent that went unnoticed. Great torches that went unlit because there was no one to light the spark. Do you still wish to entertain the foolishness that in future, schools will have no teachers? I pity you!
Now let me come to books. Just take a look at Amazon where one of the largest percentage of books are being purchased online. Printed books have not died out just because ebooks are the in thing today. Neither has reading of books taken a downward plunge in spite of all the information and entertainment available in the internet at your finger tips.
My dear friends, books are not just storehouses of knowledge. They are our companions. There is a nostalgic flavour to the reading of books that no futuristic classroom can do away with.
Let me take you to yet another field. Sports and games. In spite of all the modern technology available why do individual players and teams have coaches? It is simply because the personal care of a teacher and mentoring cannot be substituted by anything else. So also future schools of tomorrow cannot do away with teachers.
Let me conclude. Many of the problems teenagers face today cannot be solved by artificial intelligence or smart classrooms. Relationship issues, substance abuse, stress because of broken homes, the search for meaning of life are part and parcel of young lives. Do you think absence of teachers are going to help them in any way? Or do you think more smart gadgets and smarter apps are going to make youngsters have better emotional quotient?
My dear friends, schools of tomorrow will continue to have better teachers and inspiring books as well. Thank you.
The Bible declares, “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters”— (Psalm 24:1, 2).1
Respected Principal, Beloved Teachers, and my dear Friends,
Lend me your ears; and close your eyes for a moment. As you open them again, let me call your attention to the beautiful blue and white jewel that spins its way in space around the sun. The Earth we live in, God-designed perfectly for human life.
The atmosphere, land and water where countless number of birds fly, animals live, and fishes swim; provide this earth with an ecosystem unmatched and unparalleled in the entire known universe.
The brown soil, the deep blue oceans and the vast endless skies, the snow-capped majesty of the towering mountains, the greenery of the vegetation, the beauty and the fragrance of the flowers:
On this earth live Men and Women, the crown of God’s creation. But all is not well. The News is bad. Earth is reeling under pressure of Man’s greed and selfishness and thoughtlessness. Tomorrow looks bleak.
Pollution is the main villain. It comes in all forms. Air, water, food; all are contaminated. Plastics, pesticides, fossil fuels; all contribute to the problem. Once upon a time, if it was the green trees that dotted the landscape; now in its place have risen skyscrapers. Deforestation has spelled disaster.
On the one side are natural calamities and disasters. Tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes all create havoc. Scorching heat at times, torrential rains that flood on other occasions; life is becoming more and more unpredictable. Clean drinkable water sources are fast disappearing and we are buying water in plastic bottles.
The debris that is dumped into the oceans is disturbing marine life too; while the debris we have left behind in space as an aftermath of space exploration programmes also will create trouble in coming years.
Who or what is to be blamed? Certainly, man’s selfishness and his greed and exploitation of natural resources.
Without doubt; climate change, global warming, emission of greenhouse gases, damage to ecosystems, rising sea levels are all matters of great concern. Not to mention the threat of a nuclear warfare, and possible takeover of the human race by robots empowered by Artificial Intelligence!
Will some debris from outer space hit the earth in future?
Will the earth reel under its impact?
Will human life survive?
Will the earth survive?
Will it handle the population explosion that is predicted?
Or is population explosion just a myth?
Is it just maldistribution of resources that is the problem?
My dear friends, life is not going to be easy in the coming years. Not all problems can be solved. But we can certainly make an honest attempt. It is the fruit of trees planted by our forefathers that we enjoy today. So, we owe our next generations a generous giving that they too may have a chance to live life with dignity.
The change will not begin in international summits; it can begin only in the backyard of our homes. There is something you alone can do. Do not wait for others to do it. Let life continue; for there is no other planet which sustains life in the entire universe. We have been gifted this earth as our home!
Inter-stellar and inter-galactic missions, Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan will continue. But let us not forget our earth; our home where we live and move and have our being. We bear the imprint of the dust of the earth but have in us the breath of heaven. Let us not forget that!
So friends, let us make a brave effort to preserve something of the beauty and richness of our Planet Earth for the next generations. Thank you.
Respected dignitaries on the dais, my dear colleagues, participating teams from different universities, and all gathered over here, a warm good morning to one and all.
As the Principal of the College hosting the event, it is my pleasant privilege to speak a few words of felicitation at the inauguration of The Extravaganza, the Inter-University Arts and Literary Fest in our region.
The Extravaganza suggests possibilities, opportunities, creativity, and the colourfulness of youth. Today all of you get a chance to express yourself in the best spirit of friendly competitiveness. It is a time to enjoy the splash of immense talent on the huge canvas that is spread out for you.
I take this opportunity to welcome all the participating University teams once again. Life, let me remind you is made special by memories. I am sure The Extravaganza will become for you a cherished memory, a snapshot that you will showcase for the rest of your lives.
Let me wish all of you good success. At the end of the day there will be winners. At the same time there will be some who may not finish at the top three. But then they are not losers. They have put in their best efforts. That is what counts more than being able to win. So strive to excel.
Let me also remind all of you that the true achievement of programmes like The Extravaganza is the exchange of ideas and establishment of new relationships and friendships that paint our life’s canvas with a variety of colours.
Such programmes allow us to think beyond our daily spheres of influence and think of the world beyond our immediate surroundings. It expands our minds, gives us a greater capacity to love, and enables us to push ourselves to new standards of excellence.
All this would not be possible without an organizing team and their voluntary efforts to make The Extravaganza happen. I congratulate and thank all the members of the organizing team for their selfless effort to make this event a grant success.
I once again wish all participants success. Let the competitions happen in the true spirit of sportsmanship. Life is made beautiful by shared moments like what is happening here right now. I can see the eager faces all around looking ahead in anticipation. Wish you all success. God bless you all. Thank you.
The art of leadership is as old as human history. At the same time mastering leadership is a life long pursuit for those who wish to lead effectively.
Countless books have been written on leadership. Thousands of seminars and workshops are conducted across the globe every year. We witness leadership summits and conferences. Yet there is no end to the variety of ways in which leadership is studied, presented and understood.
In this short speech let me put across to you 7 Essential C’s of Leadership.
First of all, leadership is about effecting change. For change to happen it should begin with the leader himself. The change most needed, I believe, is in the ability to be flexible. Old habits, thinking patterns that do not match the demands of today have to be discarded. It simply means that the leader should not try to impose change on others without modeling it himself.
Secondly, leadership is about exhibiting courage. Primarily, it is about courage in taking decisions. The man who delays decisions so as not to offend anyone cannot lead. So also the man who wavers at the first sign of opposition. But one who is bold in decision and action will find others align with him sooner or later.
Thirdly, Leadership is about character Sadly so many are just concerned with cosmetics. That is how to appear charismatic, winsome and have an appealing personality. All this can do you good for a season. But it is like building a super structure on sand. On the other hand a rock-strong foundation characterized by integrity is a must to lead effectively.
Coming fourth in the list, leadership is about conviction. Now conviction comes when truth is firmly established in one’s heart. It can be an understanding of truth about people, situations or even what motivates opposition. Conviction comes also from a clear understanding of what you can or cannot do. Without conviction, a leader fails to inspire.
In the fifth place leadership is about contexts. In other words each leadership situation is set in the backdrop of a historical context. Sir Winston Churchill whose voice broadcast over radio instilled courage in the hearts of the people of Britain during World War II is a classic example. He was the man for the hour. You too can rise to the occasion and lead if you have a keen insight and awareness of the context in which you are in.
The penultimate thought is that leadership is about confidence. Let me put it this way: Who will follow someone who is a bundle of nervousness; whose words exhibit anxiety and whose body language is like that of a little boy who broke his favorite toy? A leader, therefore believes in the best even when the ship reels to and fro in troubled waters. Everything about his poise and posture exudes calm.
Finally, leadership is about communication. A leader’s words should inspire, make others think, take needed action and impact people beyond the immediate audience. Just look at a list of world famous speeches. Most of them came from leaders who were able to articulate and communicate their vision to the masses. Leadership communication is therefore critical to the success of any endeavour. A man or woman who is able to communicate with clarity and a sense of purpose leads brilliantly.
Let me conclude.
Warren Bennis in his Introduction to On Becoming a Leader wrote, “To an extent, leadership is like beauty: it’s hard to define, but you know when you see it.” Even though it is hard to define, you can learn and master some of the components that go into the creation of effective leadership.
I believe that, though there are so many other components, Change, Courage, Character, Conviction, Contexts, Confidence, and Communication are 7 Essential C’s of Effective Leadership. Mastering these leadership principles take time. An effective leader is someone who experiences growth in these areas as time passes by.
Red says STOP. When the light is red, do not act; do not move, do not proceed. You can escape so many tears and heartbreaks in life; if you simply learn to see Red.
There are many who will offer you your tomorrow today. And you might feel the irresistible pull to go along.
But wait a minute. Did you forget to see the colour Red? Did you forget that one simple yet power-packed word you can and should say? NO! “No” is the bold word you should say when you see red!
Remember that the best things in life are worth waiting for. Don’t seek instant pleasure and satisfaction in anything. Secret things can thrill; but they also kill. It is one moment’s thoughtless adventure but a lifelong journey down to the depths of hell.
So learn to see red. And when you see red, say NO.
Know that consequences are there for every stand you take and every move you make. But you have got everything to lose if you dance to the tune others play for you.
So stand strong. And be bold. A fierce lion-like stance once you say NO might be your only hope.
As a young girl, there is nothing you need to learn that is more important than the word NO. Always, keep it ready like an arrow pulled back on the string. Shoot it without a second thought.
It will hurt some; but it is worth the risk. For it is your safety that matters most. A glass jar; if it breaks might not just be the same even if you glue it back again. So be bold enough to say NO.
Let me conclude. Life is beautiful; but there is red everywhere. Trust in God; be bold, and say NO when you see red.
We are all gathered here with hearts full of gratitude to felicitate her. Dear teacher, we your students are indeed proud of your achievement. We are immensely privileged to share with you the joy of you being selected as the best teacher.
There are three things I wish to highlight this evening.
One, your commitment to excellence. There is nothing that you do that is not stamped with your passion for making the best efforts possible.
Two, your depth of knowledge. There is a welcome freshness to your class each day. We are left yearning for more when the bell rings to signal the end of class.
Three, your personal touch in our lives. You had a gentle word of encouragement to each one of us when we were down. For all our little heartaches, you had time to listen to us. More than what you have taught us, it is the fact that you cared that has touched us.
Above all this we all know that you are a loving wife and an affectionate mother. We are happy that you have found a work-life balance that has given us such a wonderful teacher in you.
There is much more to say. But some things remain etched in memory when it is short and sweet.
So let me wish our very dear teacher many more awards and recognitions in the years ahead.
Life is God’s gift to you. Do not nip it in the bud.
Life might not have been fair to you. But that is not reason enough to take your own life.
You might have made mistakes. Yet when you choose to live, you get a chance to redeem those mistakes made. But if you choose to end your life that is the biggest mistake you can make. You cannot undo it.
Do you say no one cares for you? God will not forsake you even if your father and mother forsakes you.
Even if a mother forgets the baby at her breast and has no compassion on the child she has borne, God says, “I will not forget you!”
He has loved you with an everlasting love. His unfailing love for you will not be shaken for he has compassion on you.*
My dear friend, thoughts of suicide can attack you at any time; sometimes without any reason at all. What should you do then?
Let me ask you what you would do if an ugly worm falls on you when you are standing under a tree? You will shake it away in disgust; won’t you? Yes that is what you should do with all negative thoughts; always! Brush them away. Do not entertain them. Do not lovingly spread a bed for them. Instead, kick them out!
If you have a friend share your struggle with him or her. Accept his or her love and care. Never deceive yourself by thinking that no one cares. It’s a lie!
My dear friend, you can come back from life’s defeats, loss of confidence and failures. Just hold on. The Bible says, “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
Remember my friend, God loves you even if you don’t feel like it. Even when your problems seem so huge and unsolvable, he has a plan and purpose* for your life.
Sometimes you might have faced abuse, mental torture, and been the subject of jokes. You might be going through shame and guilt and feelings of worthlessness. Yes, I admit some memories are hard to erase.
Yet you can have a brand new beginning* in life! Choose Life. My friend, that doesn’t mean life is going to be easy, but life will certainly be meaningful when you look forward with hope as God walks along with you!
Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” — Jesus Christ (John 10:10, 11; 14:6 Bible NIV).
*Bible references: God’s child (John 1:12, 1 John 3:1), Father and mother forsake (Psalm 27:10), Mother forgetting (Isaiah 49:15), Loved with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3) Unfailing love and compassion (Isaiah 54:10), Apple of God’s eye (Deuteronomy 32:10), weeping and rejoicing (Psalm 30:5b), Plan and purpose (Jeremiah 29:11), brand new beginning (2 Cor. 5:17).
Respected dignitaries on the dais, colleagues, parents, the rank holders and dear students.
A timely word is a treasure that is wrapped in timeless memory .
We are gathered here to celebrate the achievement of these seven young minds who through their persevering effort has won personal distinction as well as accolades for our Institution. Their truly deserving achievement reminds us of Napoleon’s words, “Victory belongs to the most persevering.”
Though it is only (Name), who was my student in English Literature, the rank holders from other Departments of this College are known to me as well.
Some of them have overcome a variety of difficult situations and have come out with flying colours. On this joyful occasion, let me remind just three things.
First of all, not all but only very few have the privilege of studying in a college. And you have set yourself apart from that elite group and have carved a niche for yourselves as rank holders which will always be etched in golden letters in the annals of our history. So be thankful to God, to your parents, to your teachers and all those who supported you so that this achievement was made possible.
Secondly, there is a principle in life that the more you give, the more you are able to receive and still keep on giving. As you walk out of this Campus today, think how much the time you had spent here influenced and impacted you. Think about it not just in terms of knowledge gained but more in terms of relationships, the wisdom of life lessons, the guidance and encouragement of teachers and the value of the brand identity of this prestigious institution you now call your Alma Mater. Think about what you can give back to this Institution and the community at large. From now on, it is a time to give back and gift back in multiplied measure all that you got from here.
Finally, your achievement shows all the others especially the students who will be appearing for their final examinations this year that beginning well is good and important; but greater still is the art of finishing well. Lot many of youngsters today lack this determination. My dear students determine to finish well and finish strong in life. Your ability to dream of great achievements is important, but greater still is the will to win and the discipline to achieve it. It is this burning desire that will bring you success in the end as has been shown by these seven brilliant minds.
I take this opportunity to wish each one of the seven rank holders God’s very best. May life unfold for you in all its loveliness, may you find greater success in all that is to come, and may you find greater meaning and purpose as you contribute to society through your work and career in later years.
On behalf of this college community, the management, the principal, the teachers, parents and students, I once again congratulate you on your achievements and wish you all success. Thank you for accepting our invitation and being present for this meaningful and august felicitation meeting. Let this be not an end but a beginning; let the journey continue; and may you find new knowledge, new avenues of service, new opportunities for growth and may you find success in all your endeavours.
Thank you.
I do not dream of greatness, but I do dream of making my life meaningful. You ask me, “How?” I can simply say, by showing love and genuine concern for others.
I do not dream of being famous, but I do dream of being a person of influence. You ask me “How?” I can simply say, by disciplining myself to do the best I can and excel every single time I am called to act.
I do not dream of becoming rich, but I do dream of giving as much as I can out of all that I have. You ask me “Why?” Well, there are things that money can’t buy; it can’t stretch your life by a nano second nor can it buy a heart of love. So let me do all the good I can and count myself rich by all that I can do without.
Finally, I dream of making the most of opportunities; and not let them go.
I dream of having a few real good friends; and not fall for a million likes and followers in the world of fantasy.
I dream, yet again, that I might be given grace to love those who are close to me; to value and cherish them, and hold them dear before like a lone bird on a barren tree my life becomes.
I dream, my friends, of fighting back when defeats come; of rising above my occasional loss of confidence and of making it to the finishing tape to win the race set out for me.
Above all this, I dream of finding my life’s purpose; the reason why God put me on Planet Earth. If I can not only dream but also fulfil all that God has called me to do; then my dream shall find its wings and soar high with great joy!
This is my dream, my friends, and I believe that this dream will come to pass with God helping me to make it come true not only for me but for each one of you too.
Teens, not surprisingly, is a time you commit many mistakes. Some of them are painful, some others embarrassing. Do not worry too much about what others think about you. Know that you are significant and have great value in God’s eyes. Some of his best selections are those who are failures in the world’s estimate. So do not despair.
Teens, is a time of yearning to be loved and respected. Love is mostly a feeling, an emotion, a sudden unexplainable connect with someone for most teens. Yet love is more than anything of these. Closely associated with love is respect. A safety line that can be drawn is not to trust anyone who does not respect your private or personal space.
Love that makes demands, love that manipulates,
love that tries to control, love that puts pressure on you to yield,
love that compares you to someone else,
love that demeans your dignity as an individual
and treats you like an object, exhibit or commodity,
love that bargains to make deals—these cannot be called love.
They are a cheap imitation, and at its worst, deception.
Teens, for some at least, is a time of heartbreaks. Broken promises, lies and deception, the luring world of instant messaging, cheating, rejection, having someone dump you are all sadly common. If you have been at the receiving end, do not think about yourself a failure. It is time to focus, have new dreams, and start working towards worthy goals in life.
Finally, if no one else is there to listen to you, God is there. When you feel worthless, when your thoughts like wild horses on the gallop uncontrollably go, when thoughts of suicide come, when others forsake you, make fun of you, and give up on you, you still have God. Teens, God loves you You will find acceptance with him just as you are. Always. God is near, much nearer to you than the breath you breathe.
At the sound of this one word, some hearts flutter, some others skip a beat. There is rush of adrenaline for some; others blush.
Love, surprisingly, has been equated with emotions. But is it all that is there to it? Emotions keep changing; don’t they? Today, you feel madly in love with someone; when the sun rises the next day you wonder where all the “love” you felt yesterday has gone; don’t you?
So love does not properly belong to the realm of emotions; though emotions do colour our love with all kinds of splashes. Then what is love?
It is basically a decision to hold the other person in the highest esteem, value him or her above all else, and cherish that person like no other and hold him or her so close and dear to one’s heart.
Love is not about getting; it is about giving.
Love is not about selfishness; it is about sacrifice.
Love is not about being on top of the charts; it is about humility, the willingness to serve.
Love is not about bragging; it is about doing things for the other without advertising.
Love is not about covering up evil; it is about being transparent and living in the light.
Love is not about falsehood; it is about speaking the truth.
Finally, we cannot think on love without thinking of God. The well known passage in the Bible speaks about love in this compelling way: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”*
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
Respected dignitaries on the dais, beloved teachers, dear parents and students,
Good evening to one and all.
We have just witnessed a magnificent display of talent by the students of our school. It is most fitting that such a variety of cultural events showcased the splendid history of the last 25 years of our school on this concluding programme of the Silver Jubilee Anniversary Celebrations.
As the head girl of this school it is my honour and privilege to propose the vote of thanks.
First of all, let me thank our Principal. Sir, the words of wisdom you shared with us today will remain in our hearts for the rest of our lives. You have challenged us to discipline ourselves to succeed in life and not to lose our human touch in the process of doing so.
I am sure this light you have lit this evening will blaze on in the lives of all the students gathered here. Thank you very much.
The Guest of honour today, [name], is one among us, who started dreaming sitting on the benches of the classrooms here. It is not often that students get a chance to listen to eminent persons like you. You have exemplified through your life what it means to fight against disabilities, and live without complaining about difficult circumstances in life.
Your enthusiasm is contagious. What touched our hearts this evening is your bold fight against gender discrimination and harassment of women in the workplace. Your words have inspired all the girl children in our school to be aware of their rights and privileges; and to have courage to speak out against injustice. Pledging our support to all your work on women empowerment; a big thank you for your gracious presence with us this evening.
Today we were blessed to have the megastar of [name] Malayalam movies as our celebrity guest. Well, we have seen so many of the wonderful characters you portrayed so well on the silver screen. For most of us, it was the first time, we got to see you so close. Your unassuming nature surprised us.
Now it is time to say thanks to our beloved teachers. What can I say!
Without your support, your care and concern for us, your constant endeavours to bring out the best in us, your instilling in us a sense of values and priorities in life, your teaching us the importance of managing time, and above all your being with us for any help that we needed; all this above and beyond what you teach from text books; yes, all these and more have made our life in this school the happiest and most meaningful period of our lives.
In a big way, more than words can say, from the depths of our hearts and with due respect, thank you all our beloved teachers.
A word about our parents gathered for this ceremony this evening. Your coming here, your presence with us means a thousand times more than all the expensive gifts you could have given us. For all your love and care, for all the sacrifices made to educate us in the best school in this part of the world, for gifting us with dreams and possibilities, a big thank you.
We assure you that nothing of what you have done for us will ever go wasted.
It is time to say goodbye. The Silver Jubilee celebrations of our school comes to an end; but the legacy lives on.
What has been achieved will be written in golden letters in the annals of our history; but what is yet to come will surpass all that in its magnitude, in its brilliance, and in its reach.
To all who came to witness this event, to all those who wished our school good luck on this momentous occasion, to all who toiled day and night to make the Silver Jubilee celebrations unforgettable, thank you once again.
Finally I thank God Almighty for showering his blessing upon today’s function.
As the star studded skies on this black velvety night twinkle in euphoric delight,
Wishing you all good night, sweet dreams and radiant memories. Thank you one and all.
On one side, man is exploiting, polluting, and wasting drinkable water. On the other side man is spending billions of dollars seeking signs of water in other planets. Pitiable, to say the least!
Water, I believe, is one of God’s priceless gifts to mankind. In the past civilizations and cultures took shape in the banks of rivers in acknowledgement of this fact.
Today, the post-modern culture revolves around bottled water. In this we see a loss of goodness that once was seen in offering a stranger a cup of cold water to drink as he walked by our homes.
Those of us who have constant access to fresh water resources should pause a moment and think about millions who do not enjoy this privilege. In fact, there are many, especially women and children who die for the lack of safe drinking water.
Now just thinking won’t do much good. We need action. In this case, we need practical steps to preserve our water resources for our children.
Think about it. How can the next generation survive if after having the best education and highly skilled jobs they don’t have water to drink?
The simplest thing you can do is to see that your taps don’t leak or drip. Once you are about to leave home ensure that all taps are closed.
Then explore the possibility of taking a shorter bath, consider reusing water from the kitchen for gardening, or using stored water in a bucket to wash dishes instead of running water.
There are several more of these practical tips. It is not creativity that is lacking to implement them; instead it is the will to do so. Remember the saying “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
Perhaps there is no better way to end these thoughts than to quote what the missile man of India Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam predicted, “Future wars will be over water.”
With atomic, nuclear, chemical and biological weapons kept ready for the need and the hour, another world war would contaminate what little safe water that remains. Let us therefore unite to save water to save lives!
Before I conclude, let me remind you that water quenches thirst. It satisfies. Especially after having walked in the hot sun, how refreshing a splash of water onto one’s face and drink of cold water. Therefore water is a powerful symbol of the longing of man for truth, for God, for the meaning of life and for all that ultimately satisfies.
Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” — Jesus Christ
–(John 4:13, 14 Bible NIV.)
World Water Day–March 22
Life is
limited by time,
happening in space,
and destined for eternity.
Let me explore Time, Space, and Eternity one by one.
First of all Time is the stuff life on earth is made of. Though 24 hours is equally made available to all, the length of years one lives is beyond the scope of man to determine.
Time given is best utilized when one realizes that life has a purpose on earth and it has been God-ordained.
Secondly, Space is the platform on which life happens. Earth is just a tiny speck of dust; a blue and white jewel in the endless galaxies and stellar regions of space.
The stars shining at night are a constant reminder that life on earth is no accident and it has been God-designed in wisdom and sustained by his mighty power!
It is when you think of the vastness of space and its endless wonders that you cannot but exclaim with the Hebrew poet, “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?”*
Thirdly, God has set eternity in the hearts of men. Death is by no means the end of life.
Life becomes meaningful when it is lived in the perspective of eternity. What determines the quality of life in eternity are the choices we make here and now.
Life we live on earth is just a preparation; and what we sow here is reaped for ever and ever.
Let me conclude. In the light of what was spoken about Time, Space, and Eternity, go throw a pebble into the still waters of a pond and see what happens!
Isn’t there more to life than what you have seen so far? Truly,
“No eye has see,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him.”
The moment has finally come when you are called to act. It is not to do something great the call is; but just to exercise your rightful duty.
First, let me do a little bit of straight talk. You are given this time and opportunity to cast your vote. But before you decide it doesn’t matter; let me ask you, “What if all think likewise and stay at home instead of coming to cast your votes tomorrow?”
I know that your excuses are genuine. It is the rainy season and travelling in the cold moist weather is not pleasant. Maybe your thought is that it is Friday tomorrow; and if you choose to stay home you get an extended weekend. I agree to both those arguments.
But give me a minute before you make a final decision.
See friends, it is not a matter of winning or losing. It is about understanding that each one of you is significant. You will not come to know the power of your right to vote until your best candidate loses the election by just one vote!
Again, the right to vote, especially that of women, came about after a lot of struggle. Every single time you fail to vote you are counting the sacrifices made for obtaining this right as nothing.
Now that you know you cannot and should not miss your privilege to vote, let me ask again, “What is a college magazine all about?”
Is it just a report about activities in a year? Is it just about certain articles contributed? Or interviews with celebrities? Is it just about photographs? No. No. No. Not at all.
My friends, a college magazine is about memories. It is about nostalgia. It is the treasured collection of the most colourful, vibrant, and never-to-return time of your life. It will carry the whisper of the breeze as you sat chatting under the cool of the trees, it will have the dynamics of debates that sparked fire, it will hold the thrilling sensation of arts, cultural events and sports.
Above all this, the college magazine that I have in mind will be a brilliant display of the finest kind of student-teacher cooperation, team play, and coordinated effort for which our Campus is uniquely known for.
This is what I promise you. Some 20 years from now as you flip through the pages you will walk through the beloved corridors here, and of Time as well. Well, for those of you who love the digital version; it will be more of like an emotionally charged live revisit to your most loved alma mater.
So cast your precious votes in my favour. My worthy opponent has made tall claims to be elected. He deserves a chance. But did he deliver last year? He was elected the arts club secretary; wasn’t he? We expected much, but it all came to nothing. Except a delayed and ill-timed inauguration there was just nothing. Do you want to vote him back to power again?
My dear friends tomorrow is your opportunity to vote for change. Let history record a massive turnout. Your confidence in me will be amply rewarded.
So friends, do not forget my name. I am no stranger to you. In all your moments of ecstasy, and in times of struggle I have been with you. You know that I have not run away from challenges; nor from standing up for your rights in your moments of disagreement with the management.
Do vote for change. With each vote in my favour, you will have the immense satisfaction of having made possible the most fantabulous magazine of our college ever. Thank you.
Speaking is a matter of joy. So keep aside your fears. Seek God’s help, read much on your topic, get guidance from parents and teachers, and you are ready to go.
First of all think about a good beginning. It should get the attention of the audience. It can be a quote, a very short story or even an experience from your life said quickly.
Something like,
“When I was a child, my father used to take us to the children’s library in my hometown. Soon, primarily through the world of comics I entered into the world of fairy tales, fables, heroes, heroines, villains, and imaginative stories. Little did I know that I was going to fall in love with reading. But one thing I know, it has added depth to my understanding of the meaning of life, people, cultures, and the world at large.”
Now you can tell them the topic of the day. If you can use some creative ways to phrase your topic, it will be great. For example, “Is the Habit of Reading a Lost Art? Even plainly stating the topic, “The Importance of Reading,” is fine.
Follow it up with a quick statement of what all things your audience can expect from your speech. For example if you are speaking on The Importance of Reading, you can say something like, “Today I will be helping you to understand how reading informs, entertains, and inspires you.”
Now the audience knows that your speech will cover three main points. The expectation is clearly established. And they know what they will get to carry home with them from your speech.
Next try to find logical ideas and examples to support each main point you are dealing with.
For example, you can say that the reading of a book on Questions and Answers had given you basic knowledge about the human body, deep sea fishes, artificial intelligence, inventions and discoveries, computers etc; the reading of C. S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia had entertained you, and the reading of Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam‘s autobiography The Wings of Fire had inspired you.
Now you can tell your audience about how to make reading a habit. If you have a habit of reading the Bible the first thing in the morning, you can tell them it is a good way to begin the day by seeking God and his wisdom.*
You can then tell them how to bring variety in your reading by mixing story books, travelogues, science fiction, comics, poetry, drama, novels and so on.
Perhaps, you can also tell them how to write notes about what they read so that they will be able to recall and put to good use what they have read.
Now it is time to conclude. Before you do so you can try to cement the importance of reading by using a well known quote from Bacon, “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested,” or from Milton, “A good book is the precious life-blood of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life.”
After saying that, you can tell them what you told them till then. Something like “the headlines once again” as you hear in the reading of the NEWS on television. “Today, I have tried to show you how reading informs, entertains, and inspires you.”
Now you can try a flow chart to touch down.
If you want to remind them of the importance of reading say something like, “I hope that the habit of reading will grow along with you like an ever-widening and deepening stream.”
Or if you want to persuade them to take action, end by asking, “The libraries of the world have many books. You can’t read all of them . But still there are some you cannot afford to miss. So start reading today.”
Yet again you want an inspirational ending, go for this: “If my short speech has ignited your imagination and inspired you to open the windows of your mind a little wider through reading, I am sure you will build a life on solid rock, chiselled by discipline, and trusted for its character.
“Cleanliness is next to godliness” is a phrase that was first recorded in a sermon by John Wesley in 1778.
The first thought about it is related to spirituality itself. What would you think about a place of worship littered with dirty plastic cups and garbage? Would you feel like worshipping there? Would you feel the presence of God there? The simple answer is No. Without maintaining a clean environment it is not possible to have a meaningful spirituality.
The second thought is about health. Maintaining good physical and mental health is closely related to cleanliness. A sound mind can only reside in a healthy body. To have a healthy body cleanliness is a must. Think about it this way. A hospital is a place where patients are treated. What if hospitals are not maintaining proper cleanliness? The very place that is supposed to bring health and healing and wholeness will become the place where diseases and epidemics spread from. So it is very evident that cleanliness is an absolute must as far as health is concerned.
Now let us turn our thoughts to children going to school. They come in uniforms; don’t they? What if a huge majority of children come to school in dirty uniforms? That will be total lack of discipline and self-respect. Children and teachers when they come in neat and modest dress create an atmosphere in school where study becomes a joy and not a burden. There is a general sense of well-being. As we stretch this example, one of the impacts created by the armed forces as they march during the republic parade is the absolute clean dress codes they maintain. What a sense of pride in the nation they give to us!
Again, cleanliness in our surroundings is a civic responsibility. Each citizen of India is responsible for keeping our streets and open spaces clean. Most people have a selfish thought that they can dirty their neigbour’s place in order keep their own compounds clean. But that it a bad attitude. We need to work together to achieve cleanliness on a nationwide scale. We need to clean up our homes and neighbourhoods, residential areas and public places, streets and highways, and places of cultural heritage and tourist importance as well.
Let me now conclude. Would you like to visit a beach that is fully littered with plastic waste? I am sure you along with other visitors would prefer a place with clean surroundings; isn’t it? Again, when you travel and enter a wayside hotel or restaurant what if you are served food in an unwashed plate and the hotel itself has not been cleaned for days! Would you eat food there. NO. So it is very clear that cleanliness is next to godliness and those who wish to succeed in life should make it a discipline and habit to maintain cleanliness in life. Thank you.
Rabindranath Tagore opens one of his poems with these words, “Where the mind is without fear and head is held high.” But as we look around today, we find a young generation with their heads bowed down all the time. From the time of their birth they grew up with mobile phones and social media. They knew nothing better.
Now let us think about the impact of social media on youth.
First of all the impact is that of bad example. As we look at families today we find each one busy with social media; not just youngsters. See, youngsters look up to parents as their role models especially in the early stages of life. And what do they see. They find parents on social media all the time. WhatsApp and Facebook are the stuff they find joy in. And children are often neglected. No wonder they feel rejected.
Secondly, there is the impact of wrong priorities. Youth should learn that what they invest in now will yield benefits later in life. Now is the time to study and dream about a great career ahead. If that valuable time is stolen from them through social media chats, then they lose sense of priority.
Thirdly, there is the impact of wrong relationships. God has kept boundaries in life. This is for our freedom and highest good. The virtual world of social media with its ease of quick and instant communication encourages youngsters to cross boundaries. They chat on topics in private which they might not dare to talk about in front of others. This often leads youngsters to fall into relationships that promise great things. But usually they fall into traps, into blackmailing and disgrace.
Yet another impact is on health. The amount of time spent on social media creates health issues with the spine, neck, fingers, and eyes. Usually these problems show up only later in life. But then it is too late. Some youngsters spend hours chatting and also eat junk food while doing so. This leads to other health issues like obesity and diabetes which is a silent killer.
Finally there is the impact on personal safety and security. Often youngsters post selfies on social media. They reveal their travel plans and personal details like birthdays, names of parents and their work etc. These vital information can lead to blackmailing and other dangerous situation.
Let me conclude. The impact of social media on youth can be understood in the context of impact of bad example, the impact of wrong priorities, the impact of wrong relationships, the impact on health and the impact on personal safety.
Youngsters should remember that life is not without accountability. They should remember that the digital footprints they leave behind on social media are not just impacting them here a few hours but they are going to impact them for a life time.
