2 Minute Speeches – Page 8 – Bejoy Peter's Public Speaking ®

October 3, 2018October 24, 2023

A Short Speech on the 7 Best Things to Teach Your Child

The first thing to teach your child is to look up at a clear night sky. And not bent down his/her head on to mobile screens. Ask him/her to wonder about the star-studded sky. Let him/her think, how did it all come there? Who is behind it all? What holds it together?

The second thing is to teach your child to speak the truth always. Tell him/her mistakes happen to all good men and women. Ask him/her to take responsibility for them. Teach him/her that it takes courage to speak the truth.

The third thing to teach your child is to keep trying. It is up to us parents to motivate a child to keep on attempting to do things. There is lot of truth in the saying, “Try again and again until you succeed.”

The fourth thing to teach your child is the value of patience. A child thinks that good things are his/hers automatically for the asking. Teach him/her that he/she needs to learn to wait and be patient for good things to come his/her way.

The fifth thing to teach your child is how to fail. Tell him/her not to consider himself/herself as a failure even if others label him/her so. Teach him/her that more learning happens through failures than successes. Let him/her know that there is nothing to be ashamed about failure if he/she has given his/her best effort.

The sixth thing to teach your child is never to lose hope. Teach a child to say NO to despair. Tell him/her not to worry for he/she has a heavenly Father watching over him/her. Let him/her learn that even after the darkest night the sun will rise.

The seventh thing to teach your child is to strive for excellence in thought, speech, and action. Tell him/her to persevere in the good and noble pursuits of life, career, hobbies, and relationships. Let him/her learn to never lower his/her standards.

Finally, I cannot say, there is nothing more to teach a child. For there are lots more like habits, respect, character etc. But if you ask me to add one more; it will be the importance of discipline in life. Teach him/her to discipline himself/herself to have a worthy purpose in life. Let him/her know that it is not the beginning that counts but how one finishes well in life. Let him/her discipline himself/herself with the thought of touching the finishing tape on a note of triumph.

These are not all; but even if these are all, it will yield sweet fruit for all the toil and labour and hard work that your child will have put in to succeed in life. A thankful heart, without doubt, will make it taste all the more sweet.

A Child’s Dream About the Future

Link to post Short speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks! — Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!

September 14, 2018July 19, 2022

A Speech for Children on Self-Control

Self-control is not a popular term with teens; but freedom is. Now freedom in excess without restrictions makes people slaves to whatever has mastered them.

So there is a responsibility on your part to exercise self-control. It can be in many areas.

One, exercise self-control in the area of speech. Too much talk can make you lose respect with teachers and elderly. It can create conflicts and quarrels with the best of friends.

Two, exercise self-control in the area of relationships. You cannot take advantage of others and expect to live a happy life. Avoiding haste in getting involved in relationships, maintaining purity in motives, and treating others with kindness instead of becoming judgmental; are all measures of self-control.

Three, exercise self-control in the area of food. Eating is necessary to live, but living to eat is yet another matter. Junk food is everywhere. When food is made a god, bad eating and drinking habits can prove harmful.

Four, exercise self-control in the area of social media. Do not spend too much time in it. Remember all your digital footprints are tracked. There is no escape. And do not be naive and reveal your personal information on social media.

Five, exercise self-control in money matters. Do not fall into the living on credit cards trap. Do not not spend lavishly on non-essentials. Money is so uncertain; there a hundred different ways through which a rich man can become penniless.

Six, exercise self-control in management of time. We are all given 24 hours a day. But no one knows for how long. Reduce time you spend for entertainment and try to live life in a purposeful manner. If you can utilize 15 minutes a day to learn a new skill, think about what difference it can make in your life and career.

Seven, and finally, exercise self-control in your thoughts. No one can read your mind but your eyes and face will bear the marks of what you think. Imagination is a wonderful gift; but make every effort to think on the lovely and the pure.* Try to think on achieving excellence. Do not leave your mind empty but fill it with good thoughts, reading great books, and generate ideas along with friends.

There are many other areas where one can learn to exercise self control. “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls,”* says the Bible. So discipline yourself. Exercise self-control. If not, your mind and behaviour will be like untamed horses running wild in the woods!

*Philippians 4:8, Proverbs 25:28 Bible.
For those who stay connected to God, the Bible says that God himself will produce in people self-control. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22).”

September 1, 2018October 24, 2023

2 Minute Speech for School Children on the Pursuit of Happiness

Some people are happy they way they are; and many people are unhappy for the way they are.

Happiness therefore is an attitude. It lies in the acceptance of things that cannot be changed. At the same time, happiness comes from attempting to do things better, and trying to be a better person as well.

Sad to say, many look for happiness outside themselves. They look for riches, fame, power, and even entertainment to bring them happiness. Riches can be lost, fame can burst like a soap bubble, power can be taken away, and entertainment that excited you yesterday might not be enough for today’s happiness. But one thing is sure: men and women are constantly in the pursuit of happiness.

The whole world of advertisements, it seems, revolve around the concept of happiness. People are told that they will be happy if they have a new car, a dream home, travel to an exotic destination and so on. Anything is offered on credit. Surprisingly, the more attractive the advertisement sounds, the more people are ready to buy and invest.

Now if you want to be happy, there are a few things you can do. Be thankful. Have good friendships. Maintain contact with people you value and love. Have a passion in life. Study well. Do your work with skill, enthusiasm, and integrity. Give to others your time, talent, and treasure. Try to help others achieve their dreams. These are meaningful ways to find happiness.

At the same time many fall for the trap of happiness for the moment. For example, it can be entertaining wrong relationships. It can be substance abuse. It can be gambling. But somehow people in spite of warnings and red signals fail to read the price tag. It can spells the D’s–Despair, Disillusionment, Deception, Destruction, and finally Death. So happiness for the moment is not worth the game. You need to look for happiness that lasts.

Again, think about all those things that you don’t need. People love to accumulate things and try to find happiness in possessions. But when it is time to die, nothing matters except the love you had for others. Similarly technology these days is bringing more and more gadgets that makes you slaves to them. Think about it. Do gadgets make your really happy?

Finally, there has been many songs in the past titled, “Don’t worry, be happy.” Is it that simple? The truth possibly is people worry about not being happy. It is like a dog who went round and round trying to catch happiness which it believed was in its tail. While another dog seeing the other’s struggle simply said, “My happiness is also in my tail. But it follows me wherever I go!”

Do You Need To Be a Millionaire to Make People Happy?

August 25, 2018July 19, 2022

Coach Says Goodbye! An Emotional Farewell Speech!

This is a moment I knew would come. It tells me that my memorable innings here as Coach is coming to an end.

I am thankful to God to have led such a talented team on this journey of transformation. This change was never easy. It challenged my abilities to the limit and tested my perseverance to the breaking point.

As I look back I see that this journey was a learning process not only for you; but more so for me. I learned to be more compassionate even when making no compromise on matters of discipline. And let me tell you, that balancing act was never easy.

At the early stages of my tenure here, many of you did not believe that you had the potential to be winners. Instead you mirrored what your critics said. You voiced aloud the negatives that others whispered in your ears. But soon you learned to shut your ears to all that and focus on just winning and nothing else.

Now it is time to say goodbye. Some things in life are not decided by logic, but by the dictates of the heart. Today I step down because I know with certainty that you can go ahead without me.
And now I get time to spend with my wife and kids. After having taught you to be the best how can I fail to set you an example in the arena where I cannot afford to lose?

The band is playing; the flags are fluttering; and kids are playing football here in the ground. But to me, it is time to walk away; to say goodbye with the knowledge that I have done my best; and by the grace of God have brought to the limelight a few who otherwise would have dwelt in the shadows; undiscovered and not valued.

So with a thankful heart, let me say goodbye. It breaks my heart to think that I will not walk with you one more time to these grounds that holds so precious memories to me. But that is how life is. The show has to go on; the torch has to be passed, and new leadership has to take over.

Thank you one and all for all the support you gave me over the years.

August 18, 2018October 11, 2023

2 Minute Speech for Students on Friendship

Hi friends,

If you have got one true friend, you are rich.
If you have got two, you are a billionaire.
If you say, you have more; you know nothing about friendship.
Well, you may not agree. But good friends are rare.

Friends are, I believe, God’s priceless gifts to us.
Valuing, cherishing, nurturing, and maintaining friendship is the way we say “thank you” for what has been gifted to us.

Friendship primarily is a relationship. It is based on love, acceptance, and mutual respect.
That means you love not to get something out of your friend, but to give the best you have.
That means you accept your friend with all his goodness and shortcomings as well.
Beyond all this it is a relationship that seeks to honour your friend and never take him for granted.

Friendship again is an investment. It takes time to build good friendships.
You need to invest quality time with your friend on a regular basis.
Social media can help; but is never a substitute for face to face interaction.
Time that you get in your school and college days will never come back.
So utilize that to the maximum to build a solid foundation so that after graduation when you move out for work, you still have a huge deposit of memories, of conversations, and of good things you did together with your friend.

Friendship can also be a reflection.
A good friend is a mirror that reflects who you truly are.
It does not hide what is ugly, what is marred, and what is lacking in you.
It speaks truth.
In the words of King Solomon, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted; but an enemy multiplies kisses.”*

Friendship, again, is a bridge-building exercise.
Not always will you find your friend at his best.
Not always will you find him meeting your demands on his time, talent, or resources.
There will be times when he misunderstands you.

But one thing I have learned to do in those tough times is to think of the best things he has been to me.
It is in those challenging times that I deliberately focus on the kindnesses he has shown me in the past.
And then my heart warms up again.

Within no time I take the initiative to make a call and talk.
And it is good old times back again.

Life is too short.
If God has given you good friends, thank God for them.
Value them, cherish them, be loyal to them, and above all, remember them in your daily prayers.

If you are yet to create good friendships, choose them carefully.
Charm can be deceptive; beauty fleeting; handsomeness can turn ugly when you get close; and smiling faces can be masks whose paint washes off in the first rain.
So be warned; choose your friends carefully.
For a friend can build you up strong like a stone fortress or give you a massive pull down a black hole.

Finally, let me conclude by saying that a good friend brings out the best in you.
He does not yield to your stories of defeat and despair.
Instead he motivates you to be the best God wanted you to be.
So thank God for your friend who holds you true to your God-given purpose in life. Thank you.

Students, Stop Saying These Little Speeches That Pull You Down!

*Proverbs 27:6

Quotes on friendship
“My father always used to say that when you die, if you’ve got five real friends, then you’ve had a great life.” — Lee Iacocca (Former Chairman, Chrysler Corporation and Former President, Ford Motor Company.).

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” — King Solomon (Proverbs 27:17).

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” — Jesus Christ (John 15:13).

August 16, 2018July 19, 2022

So You’re Graduating!

Respected Principal, dignitaries on the dais, and dear graduating students,

I am very happy and privileged to be part of your graduating ceremony. It brings back nostalgic memories to my heart as I think of that proud day when I stood where you are right now. Let me wish you all the best and thank the College Management who extended me the invitation to be here today.

Now let me share with you some thoughts on graduation day that I hope will help you in your career ahead.

There are milestones in life that we all cherish and draw inspiration from. Today is such a significant day in your life’s journey. You are about to step out into a future with many unknowns but holding unlimited possibilities and potential.

First and foremost have a thankful heart towards God who brought you this far in life. Be thankful for so many people–your parents, teachers, friends and many others whose positive influence, knowledge and encouragement made this day happen for you.

From now on it is a gifting back to society; a time to shine the light for those who follow; for those who need a word of encouragement; and for those who want to know that what they dream of can be done.

Now let me leave you with three thoughts that can shape your life, career and destiny ahead.

First of all, think about excellence.

I would like to bring to your attention what Vince Lombardi the legendary coach in American football said: “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavour.”

Excellence does not come easily to anyone.
It comes through pushing yourself beyond your limits every time you perform.
It comes through persevering in the pursuit of your goals.
It comes from getting up from where you lie wounded to fight one more round.

So commit yourself to excellence. It is a decision that can change your life and career dramatically. When you are thus committed and excellence becomes a habit in all that you do; those who come to contact with you will respect you.

Secondly, think about professionalism.

What is it all about? It is a mix of many things. It is about unending enthusiasm for work. It is about attention to small details. Again professionalism is having integrity and honesty in your life and work. It is the ability to step beyond doing your duty just for the sake of pay cheque.

Professionalism is again about teamwork. You may not find everyone you work with pleasant or having the same likes and dislikes you have. It is your ability to get along with them and work in harmony that is going to make even dull routines come to life. So learn to cultivate the ability to get along with people.

And never forget to smile. Make happiness go around. Be at your best every day. Manage your personal struggles and domestic difficulties so that it never affects your work. To wrap it up, professionalism is your ability to inspire confidence in others by the way you think, communicate, work and behave.

Thirdly, think about work-life balance

So far I have been talking about your career alone. Let me now say something about how to live a beautiful life before I conclude. Today so much is being spoken about achieving work-life balance. And it is indeed an important subject indeed.

You should never forget your families as you build your career. Hold on to the right priorities. As Jesus Christ pointed out in the Sermon on the Mount, Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all the material things you need in life shall be given to you as well.*

So the simple starting point is “God first.”
The second in the list is “Family.”
And “Work” is the third component.

If these three come in the right order, it is not difficult to achieve work-life balance. Remember if the canvas is not there; the painting ceases to be!

Conclusion
Now it is time to conclude. My dear students today you are graduating College. It means that you are about to give wings to your dreams. It means that you are ready to face the challenges ahead.

Each day would bring us new challenges. You need to remember that all your training here was to equip you to face the challenges of your work bravely. To your surprise you will find that many of life’s situations are those your text books taught to you nothing about. But that is the way it is; and this where you seek wisdom from God to run life without derailing.

So do not run away from duty, but take up your responsibilities with courage. And if you ask me what courage is, it is not the absence of fear. But it is the ability to do right in spite of whatever is terrifying you.

So my dear graduating students, you now stand on the shore ready to go on a journey into the unknown. Congratulations graduating class and may you find your hands steady at the wheel even when the ship pitches and rolls.

And never forget the three things I shared today with you:
Strive after excellence;
demonstrate professionalism;
and balance work and life well. Thank you.

August 11, 2018October 6, 2023

A Speech for School Children on My Favourite Hobby—Playing Cricket!

A travel down memory lane!

Daniela. B. Peter playing cricket on terrace

Now let me tell what cricket has taught me:

The most important thing it has taught me is sportsman spirit. There are good days and bad days in cricket. One cannot be at his best on all days, be it batting, bowling, or fielding. I also earned to treat the opposition with respect, and not to underestimate a weak team.

Yet another lesson learned was how to plan an innings. Playing cricket also helped me learn to persevere, which has been that one quality that has kept me going through tough times in life.

I cannot but mention some of the leadership lessons cricket has taught me as I got opportunities to captain my team.

Captaincy is an art. The most important quality you need as a leader is calmness under pressure. This I had in plenty then. One should have deep reservoirs of optimism even when everything around you is falling apart. Sudden loss of wickets or the opposition team tearing your bowling attack apart should not pull you down.

Again, the art of captaincy demands that your thinking should be fast forward. Decisive action and ability to communicate commands effectively are leadership qualities a cricket captain has to exercise and I got well-trained in it.

Daniela B. Peter playing cricket on terrace evening — Daniela B. Peter @ 3 years playing cricket in the evening at terrace of our home.

But beyond all this cricket as a hobby gave me great joy. More than the physical exercise it provided, it was the gelling between friends that provided the greatest satisfaction. Even today memories of matches played bring a smile on my face.

And if you want me to pick out one thing—yes, that one thing that I fine-tuned, polished, and brought to a class act through playing cricket, it is the art of finishing strong and finishing well. For nothing has given me a greater sense of satisfaction than hitting the winning run or taking the final wicket.

Let me conclude by saying that cricket is a beautiful game. It not only entertains but educates as well. Winning a game of cricket remains a great art. And not all teams win all the time. Perhaps more important is how you played the game.

A Champion’s Delivery Secrets
The Role of Sports and Games in the Life of Children

“Form is temporary, class is permanent.”

August 3, 2018October 11, 2023

An Inspiring Speech for the Candle Lighting Ceremony at College of Nursing

We are all familiar with beginnings. They can be small steps but its impact can be experienced in giant leaps. Today graduates of this Institution of Nursing are making a new beginning through the lighting of candles. It is a symbolic act of the light that shines within your hearts.

First of all the light that shines is a reminder of the darkness outside.
We live in a world where human rights are being violated.
We live in a world where the elderly are being forgotten.
We live in a world where children make friends through social media rather than face to face.

It is in this context that we need to understand our role in the nursing profession. We need to have a big picture of the suffering of people. It is not just physical illness that troubles people. More often it is the loneliness and the feeling of being deserted by friends and family that hurts people more.

So first of all we need to realize that there is darkness out there and we are called to shine our little lights in this darkness.

Secondly, the light that shines speaks about hope.
We are called to do little acts of kindness which kindle hope in the heart of a patient.
It can be a smile.
It can be a kind word of encouragement.
It can be a timely help.
Or it can even be a pat on the shoulder or holding hands for a moment.
Yes, God has chosen you to be angels of encouragement.
Dag Hammarskjold the former UN Secretary General said,
“Constant attention by a good nurse may be just
as important as a major operation by a surgeon!”

So my dear graduates, today you are stepping into a new role. You are going to carry with you a ray of hope wherever you go even when life gets too busy and personal difficulties crowd out your day.

Finally, the light that shines is about burning out for others.
There is without doubt a selflessness in the profession of nursing. We are called to put others first. “As a nurse, we have the opportunity to heal the heart, mind, soul and body of our patients, their families and ourselves. They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” In those words of the famous author Maya Angelou we have a guideline for your life’s work.

Today, we are lighting the lamp. In doing so, we also remember Florence Nightingale, The Lady with the Lamp, who gave nursing such a highly favourable reputation.

Let me sum up.

The light that shines talks about three things.
One, it is a reminder of the darkness outside.
Two, it speaks about hope.
Thirdly and finally, the light that shines is about burning out for others.

My dear graduates I take this opportunity to wish you the very best in your academics and in your nursing career. Let the beginning that you make today always inspire you to cherish and uphold the values and traditions of the nursing profession.

Remember what Jesus Christ said,

As far as you are concerned the light that shines is not about the pay cheque you take home; it is more about the countless number of lives of individuals and families you touch every day. It is about hope and cheer, of comfort and strength; a restoring of health and wholeness. May God give you wisdom and strength and the resolve to be such angels of encouragement. May people find heaven very near in you!

You can read this inspiring speech on candle lighting ceremony at College of Nursing on LinkedIn too.

Three Magic Words Graduation Speech @ College of Nursing
Vote of Thanks: A Classic and Memorable Speech!
“Hello Doctor, Smile Please!” Your Communication Matters!

Note:
One of the most memorable Batch of BPPS was its 83rd Batch held at College of Nursing, Thiruvananthapuram (their 34th Batch), 61 students, 20 sessions and a total of 70 hours in the year 2005.

August 2, 2018July 19, 2022

2 Minute Speech on How to Exercise Effective Leadership

Leadership has more to do with what happens on the inside of you. Focusing on external appearances and creating an aura of power, dominance, and aggressiveness doesn’t last.

There are three handles or keys to effective leadership.
One, being true to yourself.
Two, being true to your work.
And three, being true to the people you lead.

First of all, being true to oneself is all about leading by example. The world is fed up with people who speak one thing and act differently. If oneness can be achieved between your words and action, then people get a unified message from you. That is what influences and impacts people. All other externals like power dressing, though it has merits, falls short.

Let me state once again that integration between speech and action is the first key to effective leadership.

Secondly, being true to your work is about being called to lead. Now what do I mean by that? It is about understanding the responsibility vested on you. And periodically evaluating whether you are doing justice to your calling as a leader. This kind of self-examination leads to understanding shortcomings, blind spots and weak areas. An honest attempt can then be made to be back on track.

Let me remind you that when you fail to put yourself under the magnifying glass; you lose the chance to measure and control. So the second key to effective leadership is accountability.

Thirdly, being true to the people you lead is about having sensitivity to the needs, hopes, dreams, and aspirations of your team or followers. See, leadership is all about people. They look up to you. They expect much. Often the masses, especially in democratic set-ups lament the mismatch between what leaders promise and what is delivered. A leader who has a heart for people will labour with sweat and tears; and with all his heart and mind to make better the lives of those he leads.

Let me emphasize once again that hopes and dreams are the stuff human life is made of. So guarding the dreams and hopes of people from being smashed is the third key to effective leadership.

Now there might be dynamics of effective leadership that I cannot cover in this short speech. But holding on to these three vital points, namely, integration, accountability, and being the guardian of the hopes and dreams of people can make a positive difference in the way you lead.

Leadership is no easy game. But when you get a chance to lead; do it with a sense of purpose and dignity. The world will be a better place then because of the light you were able to shine!

July 27, 2018October 23, 2023

2 Minute Speech on Leadership that Impacts

Leadership is no easy task. It is not for cowards. And that excludes a lot of people. In this speech, let me try to spell out the vital elements of leadership that impacts.

Leadership that impacts is about having a vision. It is about seeing far ahead; it is about anticipating the changes that can come in one’s field of work; and it is about getting others equipped and ready to meet the future.

Leadership that impacts is about communication. It is about communicating with simplicity, clarity, purpose, and impact. A good measure of success in leadership is determined by the way you are able to handle public speaking. Charisma, conviction, competence and credibility go a long way in persuading people to follow your vision.

Leadership that impacts is about decisive decision-making. A leader is fully aware that all decisions have consequences. But he or she is prepared to gather relevant information, getting inputs from all around—360 degree–, weigh the possible ramifications of the decision, and go ahead with firmness, resolve, and unwavering determination with his or her decision.

Leadership that impacts is about earning respect, commitment, and loyalty from the team, group, or followers. This does not happen by chance. It is the character of a leader that inspires all these. Great leaders who are trustworthy have people around them who will go to any length to do something for their leader.

Leadership that impacts is about managing power and visibility. Both power and visibility can easily corrupt a leader. Often a leader is heading for trouble as he surrounds himself with personal favourites who advice him on all matters. The more he relies on these people (who might have their own personal agendas), the more he alienates himself from the rank and file. This can prove dangerous as he soon loses touch with ground realities. The possible solution is to find creative ways to stay in touch with the grassroots.

Leadership that impacts is about listening. A leader is one who can listen sympathetically and empathetically to people around him. He is one who can listen to what is not being said as well.

Leadership that impacts is about calmness. A leader is not characterised by turbulence; but by the quiet stillness found in the eye of a tornado. He should be able to inspire hope in followers by his fortitude during challenging times.

Leadership that impacts is about knowing one’s strengths. Sure, there are blind spots for everyone; even for a leader. But the one who leads should keep polishing his best strengths and major on it. Without this confidence in his own strength, he cannot effectively lead, influence or inspire others.

It is not too uncommon to find leaders exult in their new found authority and power; who exercise those in brutal and undemocratic ways. But man is mortal. And someday, each word and action will be accounted for. It is best if leaders can lead with a spirit of humility.

Let me conclude by repeating the fact that leadership is no easy task. It is indeed a challenging task to leave behind a leadership imprint and impact that is positive and inspiring; a legacy that will endure for many generations to come.

You can read Leadership That Impacts on LinkedIn

You Can Lead with Confidence: Leadership Simplified for School Children!

July 13, 2018July 19, 2022

A Short Speech on Falling, Failing, and Rising Up!

Hi friends,

No two people are alike.
No two people succeed alike.
And it follows that no two people fail alike.

Now if you have fallen, whatever it be, there are two choices for you:
One is to stay defeated.
Choice number two is to rise up.

Now if you choose to rise up, there are several possibilities.
You can stand up on your own or you can ask someone to help you.
Beyond all this you can trust God to lift you up.

Again, defeats can make you feel good for nothing;
it can make you focus on yourself which ends in self-pity;
it can make you angry at others and cause you to curse circumstances;
and it can even make you resign yourself to whatever has happened.
None of these attitudes does anyone any good; the least of all to you.

So embrace light instead of wooing darkness.
Be honest with yourself.
The simplest thing you can do is to stop telling excuses.
Accept responsibility for your fall.
Make a commitment to try once more.

There is no magic formula for success.
If I know one, it is perseverance.
That means you keep on doing what you are good at in spite of all defeats,
failures, shortcomings, mistakes and predictions of doom.

At the same time you can hold on to God in hope.
Here is how Prophet Micah expressed this.

So dear friends, let not your defeat discourage you.
Avoid distractions and focus on the task ahead.
God loves you not because you succeed all the time.
He knows what is in your heart.
He knows what your motives are.
He knows that you tried your very best; but failed.

The way he calculates points is entirely different from the way we evaluate and judge our own performances. His final analysis is about whether you loved him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. If you tried and failed; he still accepts you.

Now if you are looking for one word of assurance, one word of encouragement that will lift you up from your bed of despair, this is it. God is telling you,

–(Isaiah 49:16 Bible).”
To be engraved means to be remembered always.
To be engraved means to be held by the mighty and strong hand of God.
To be engraved means to permanently belong.
To be engraved, again, means that no one can snatch you out of God’s hand.*

You are his, precious child of God.
Do not let defeats and failures throw you down.
Stand up. And move on.
Accept the forgiveness of God.
Rise up to succeed!

*John 10:28, 29 Bible.

June 9, 2018October 11, 2023

2 Minute Speech on Why Football Is the World’s Favourite Game!

Every four years millions in the world stay awake. They stay awake to watch the drama of World Cup Football.

The whistle blows and from the centre the ball is kicked. The kick off begins a series of passes, dribbles, free kicks, throw-ins, tackles gentle and wild, headers, and finally Goal! In 90 minutes divided into two equal halves you see a miniature of life. It is action-packed, with fortune swinging both ways, a procession of mistakes with yellow and red cards shown, agony and ecstasy, hard work, perspiration, and wild joy when scoring goals.

In these 90 minutes of play legends are born of the like of Pele, Maradona, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Zidane, Lev Yashin, Sir Bobby Charlton, Beckham, Lothar Mathaus, Garrincha, Platini, Ronaldo, Franz Beckenbauer, Johann Cryff, Roger Milla, Paolo Rossi, Iniesta, Gerd Muller, etc. The list is practically endless.

They are great strikers, dribblers of the ball, free kick specialists, goal keepers, creative mid fielders controlling the game, exponents of total football, leaders with charisma and influence and the ability to entertain at the highest level of the game.

Now what makes football special? First and foremost, in a span of 90 minutes it entertains. We find the best of men in action. We find game plans and strategies being executed. We find coaches some nervous, some cool, some sitting still, some pacing on the sidelines giving instructions and shouting at his players to follow their well thought out plans.

Secondly, football is not just about individual brilliance. Of course, talent is needed. But more importantly, you play best when you play in the position you are good at. If you are the centre forward, no good playing in defence. What counts is teamwork. The best goal scorer cannot do it on his own unless some in his team creates a winning pass. As far as team work is concerned, football is one hundred per cent a team game.

Thirdly, football has a religious kind of fan following which seems to be universal unlike any other sports and games. Football fans will go to any length to watch their favourite player, club, or national team play. The No. 10 Jersey is often reserved for the best player in the team. There are endless debates about who the greatest player is. And a very critical role is played by the coach too.

Fourth, there are emotions on the football field like no other. One penalty missed, one mistake by a great goalie; all spell disaster and players and fans cry alike. There has been a host of great players who never made it big on the world cup stage. They promised big, but delivered not; they were talented plentifully, but failed to capitalize on it.

Some were heroes in one day’s game and became traitors in the next; missed penalty kicks and chances being the villains. On the other hand occasionally you saw some teams come back from being a couple of goals down to win the game. There were hat tricks that were sensations. saves that mesmerized, penalty shoot outs and sudden deaths that sent your hearts racing.

Finally, let me end with these famous lines of the late American sportswriter Henry Grantland Rice in his poem Alumnus Football:

“For when the One Great Scorer comes
To mark against your name,
He writes – not that you won or lost –
But how you played the Game.”

Yes friends, world cup football is a time when legends are born. They are remembered not just for the goals scored but for the way they played the game. Their talent, class, elegance, charisma, strength, speed, accuracy, team playing abilities, performance, sportsmanship, and goal-scoring moments will remain in our minds for a long time to come. No wonder why football is the world’s favourite game.

The Role of Sports and Games in the Life of Children

June 5, 2018July 19, 2022

2 Minute Speech on Newspapers–Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow!

Newspapers are a nostalgia to many, a habit to others, and a kind of familiar daily presence to millions worldwide.

Reading patterns vary too. Some glance through the headlines, others religiously follow political developments, a few open straight to the sports page and a comparative minority study the editorials.

One thing is sure. The supremacy of newspapers will continue unchallenged for many more years to come. Given that online newspapers and its consumption are increasing by leaps and bounds; traditional newspapers have to make changes in presentation styles, appearance, and bring variety in content and even paper size. This many newspapers are doing successfully too.

However there is one area that has hit bad times. That is the credibility factor. In the past, news that came in a major newspaper had the ring of authority to it. But with sting operations, paid news, and political biases strongly influencing reporting patterns; objectivity, truth, and fact sometimes if not often is compromised.

But that will not take away anything from newspapers being a watchdog in democratic setups. It is often called the Fourth Estate; the other powers being the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. Newspapers can voice the passionate plea of the masses, mobilize public opinion in favour or against Governments and also rally people behind worthy social movements. One reason why dictators turn against newspapers and try to silence the dissenting voices.

In the modern era, journalists often face risks and loss of lives in trying to bring us the truth. On the other hand sometimes the newspapers and more often its audio visual counterparts try to take judicial roles by indulging in media interrogation. One area newspapers can and should show restraint is when it comes to matters of privacy. The story of Princess Diana hunted down to her death by Paparazi is a case in point

Mention should also be made of the huge employment given to hundreds of thousands of people. Be it core journalism, advertising or even agents who distribute papers locally. Who can forget the fairy tale kind of scripting of Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam’s story of becoming President of India from being a newspaper boy in Rameswaram collecting the newspaper bundles thrown out on the platform from a moving train!

Yet another thought that is nostalgic is how many brands became household names and giants through advertising in newspapers. During a time when internet and television and mobile phones had not made its impact advertising was a key in building business empires. Even today that magic is not completely lost.

Finally, some memories cannot be wiped out. The scenes of village folks gathering together over a cup of coffee or tea with spread out newspapers to discuss, debate and formalize opinion will remain in mind for a long time to come.

Yes friends, reading and newspapers will continue. Even when day by day news portraying the bad side of human behaviour is on the increase; man’s eternal wait for good news will someday be realized.

May 29, 2018July 19, 2022

2 Minute Speech on Social Media–the Little Foxes that Ruin the Vineyards!

In the love poems by King Solomon known as Song of Solomon or Song of Songs, he speaks about a Lover and his Beloved.

While they converse with each other, with growing love and anticipation of their wedding, the beloved says, “Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom (SOS 2:15).”

Written over 3000 years ago, the little foxes are more real today than ever. What greater threat can you find eroding marriages than social media and networking like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.?

First of all, the time people spent on it everyday is enormous. It need not happen in big chunks. But the anxiety to just have a look at latest posts and see what is happening with others steals away time–valuable time–in short bouts. Time that should be spend on nurturing relationships within the family and taking care of the well-being of its members is wasted away like this.

Secondly, the ease of use of these kind of media make people cross boundaries easily without any feeling of guilt. Today, morality is becoming more and more relative than following absolute God-commanded standards. The saddest part is that people fail to realize boundaries are drawn to keep you safe from harm. Social media gives many the thrill of intimacy without responsibility; and secret enjoyment of forbidden fruit without much fear of being caught.

Finally, social media makes people lose perspective. The virtual world can never substitute the real. But for those who indulge in it, life seems rosier; and the grass looks greener on the other side. This makes people devalue their own husbands and wives as they suddenly find fault with them by the hundreds. Love is suddenly absent. Unfavourable comparisons are the little foxes here. Sadly those who are lured by the charming chats forget that virtual relationships and flirting are no less sinful than real; and will sap their life and drain their vitality away from them.

So what’s the big deal here? Nothing if life is just fun alone. But life is not without accountability. When it comes to that, what if all your chats are made a public spectacle to the entire humanity? Like digital footprints you leave behind everywhere you browse; all your moral looseness is also leaving its unerasable prints that are irreversibly recorded. When that day of accountability and judgement comes you will remember the folly of not having caught the little foxes that had ruined your vineyards!

“It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgement” — Hebrews 9:27 Bible.

” ‘Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!’ But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave.” — Proverbs 9;17, 18 Bible.

May 24, 2018March 5, 2025

Bishop Jesudasan–A Short Speech of Tribute

Bishop Jesudasan during prayer. 10th September 2008.

The afterglow of glorious sunsets colour the horizon with flaming hues. One such life remembered today is that of Late Most Rev. Dr. I. Jesusdasan, former Moderator of the Church of South India.
He was someone called by God to leadership from very humble beginnings in life. His life was characterized by simple living, absolute trust in God, and integrity in speech and action. His life was deeply rooted in God’s Word, saturated by prayer, and spreading everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ.

യേശുദാസൻ തിരുമേനി: ദൈവവിളിയോടു വിശ്വസ്‌തത പുലർത്തിയ എളിയ ദാസൻ
His heart was always with the poor and the downtrodden, the marginalized and the suffering. He was gentle like a lamb when he dealt with the common man, rose in stature and towered mightily when he interacted with leaders, and thundered like a lion for the cause of social justice. Able to rise above partisan politics and interests; the unity of God’s people was always his utmost priority. He made deep impact in the theological world with his speeches and writings; the result of his years of meditating on God’s Word.

Bishop Jesudasan giving the benediction.

One of the crowning moments of his illustrious career came when the London Missionary Society celebrated the 200th year of its founding. Among the three speakers of the day he was the one representing Asia; the other two being Queen Elizabeth, and Bishop Desmond Tutu; representing Africa.

He enjoyed a personal relationship with many political leaders and never used those connections for personal gain but always for the common good. Always encouraging; he left an indelible mark in the minds of all those he interacted with.

He spoke to God in simple words with the certainty that he was heard. His theology was centred around the cross of Christ and he spoke of the sacrifice of Jesus as the light of God’s love that God caused to shine through his Son Jesus on the cross.

What you remember most about this great leader of men is his gentle smile, his being approachable by all, his prayers for those in suffering and pain, and the presence of God he brought along with him. Bishop Jesudasan was in all respect a servant leader with a shepherd’s heart for the poorest of the poor–a man who had passed through personal sorrow and became a channel of strength, godly counsel, and comfort to others.

Truly missed; but not forgotten, he many years after his home call still is looked upon with utmost respect, love and admiration. Like a bright star in the black night sky, his life lived with purpose and faithfulness to his calling will continue to shine its light for many more years to come.

Celebrating 100 years of Bishop Jesudasan: Excellence in Leadership in the Ministry

Bejoy Peter addressing the gathering on the 85th Birthday of Bishop Jesudasan, 14th February 2010.

യേശുദാസൻ തിരുമേനി: ദൈവവിളിയോടു വിശ്വസ്‌തത പുലർത്തിയ എളിയ ദാസൻ

ബിഷപ്പ് യേശുദാസൻ: ശുശ്രൂഷാനേതൃത്വത്തിലെ ഉത്കൃഷ്ടത
Sunday Sermonettes | Excellence in Leadership in the Ministry of Bishop Jesudasan

A Loving Tribute to Prof. James M. Stewart

——-
Most Rev. Dr. I. Jesudasan was Bishop of South Kerala Diocese, Church of South India from 1973 to 1990. a period of 17 years which is considered as the golden period in its history (Consecrated as Bishop on 5th August 1973). He served as Deputy Moderator of the CSI from 1980 and was Moderator for three consecutive terms from 1982 to 1988. He was also a Member of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches.

A short biographical booklet authored by Bejoy Peter was published on the life of Bishop Jesudasan (14 February 1925–16 June 2013) on his 85th Birthday.

Bishop Jesudasan–Positions Held, Books Authored.

February 11, 2018August 16, 2023

2 Minute Speech on Success–Aim High Is What I Want to Tell You!

What helps you succeed? So many elements that contribute to success might have crossed your mind in the twinkling of an eye; haven’t they? Let me just pick one among them all. It happens to be one of my favourites. It is the ability to aim high.

But we find many people content to fly low in life. They sadly miss the chance to live life to the fullest. Therefore the question is, what prevents people from aiming high? Let me just quickly sketch a few points.

First of all, people do not aim high because they are afraid of their own success.

It might be a startling statement. But it is true. I have met many who thought that to succeed is a crime. To them, success meant that they are somehow stealing someone else’s opportunity.

But that is not true. This world is a big place and God has created a space for you and for me. It is only when you do not use your full potential and do not try to understand the purpose for which you have been created; it is then that you betray your calling in life.

So aim high and be the best you can be.

Secondly, people do not aim high because they are afraid to fail.

See, the problem lies in how you look at failure. If you see it as the worst that can happen; then you are finished. You lose even before you start to fight. That is a defeatist attitude and most negative.

Dear friend, stop worrying about what others will think when you fail. That is their problem; not yours. Unless you try, how can you exercise your God-gifted potential? If you look at yourself honestly; you are carrying a gold mine within you and living like a beggar. Who is to blame? I hope you got the answer.

So aim high and be the best you can be.

Finally, people do not aim high because they think that they are not significant.

Oh, how it disheartens me to see so many choose to stay behind the curtains and on the side benches without taking an active part in the drama and game of life! Dear friend, never fall into the comparison trap. The world will always try to make you feel inferior. Do not buy into that lie even for a moment.

For God has created you unique. There is nobody on planet Earth like you. With all your shortcomings you can still contribute much to the lives of others. Stop thinking about yourself alone. You can be the lifeline to many others who are in despair and in darkness.

So aim high and be the best you can be.

Let me conclude. Never fly low. I repeat it again; never fly low.

Like the law of gravity; negatives will always be around you trying to pull you down. But there is a higher law of flight and freedom that leads to joyous achievement.

I cannot but quote those famous words from Prophet Isaiah who said:

This is your true destiny. To rise from your bed of despair and hopelessness and aim high. Look at the vast blue expanse of the skies. Isn’t there a stirring in your heart; a longing to soar high?

So aim high and be the best you can be.

You can read 3 Invaluable Tips on Aim High to Succeed on LinkedIn

You Can Find Success God’s Way

*Isaiah 40:31

January 23, 2018July 18, 2022

2 Minute Graduation Speech

Respected Principal, dear colleagues, graduating students and others gathered over here, a warm good morning to one and all.

This is a defining moment in the life of each one graduating from our reputed College of Nursing. You added colour and variety to this institution and I can tell from experience that as a batch you have been really unique.

Not only were you good at academics you proved your mettle in all the co-curricular activities as well. In one word let me tell you, “Well done!”

The time has now come for you step out of this cosy nest and fly on your own. The training and discipline you got from this place will definitely carry you through. And when you feel overwhelmed by challenges know that God will carry you in his everlasting arms spread underneath you.

On behalf of the entire College community I wish you all the best for your career ahead.

At the same time, I would like to leave with you three words. Vision, Hope, and Courage. These three words are like three pillars of strength that will hold you strong throughout your life and career.

First of all, let me talk about vision.

We belong to the great tradition lighted by Florence Nightingale, the lady with the lamp. It was her vision that gave rise to modern nursing care. This was later given greater breadth and scope in India by people like Dr. Ida Scudder who paved the way for women empowerment and a great institution like CMC Hospital Vellore. You too are part of this vision—the vision of being called to serve.

Carry this vision forward and know that your work will be rewarded someday.

Secondly, let me talk about hope.
Each one of you is called to gift hope to people. There is no other group of professionals to whom others look with expectation more than the nursing community. This is because we are the people who bring cheer and hope when everything looks difficult and dark for the patients and their bystanders as well.

Therefore let us never forget to smile and do our work cheerfully even when we are hard pressed on every side.

My final word is courage.
Each day would bring us new challenges. You need to remember that all your training here was to equip you to face the challenges of your work bravely. So do not run away from duty, but take up your responsibilities with courage. And if you ask me what courage is, it is not the absence of fear. But it is the ability to do right in spite of whatever is terrifying you.

Therefore be bold even when you are meek, assertive even when you are humble, daring even when all others shrink back in fear.

So my dear graduating students, you now stand on the shore ready to go on a journey into the unknown.
Hold on to your vision, gift hope to others along the way and stand with courage in spite of all fear.

I wish you all success. And I hope the day will soon come when others will tell us about you—angels of encouragement, pure in heart and true in deeds—the shining ambassadors of our College community.
Yes, dear students, go as angels of encouragement and make this earth a better place for the entire human race. Thank you.

January 21, 2018July 18, 2022

College Union Inauguration Speech

Respected teachers and my dear students,

Each year brings new opportunities and responsibilities. Today we are witnessing an emotional moment when members of the Students Union are assuming office. The torch of excellence for which our Institution is known for has been passed on to them. Now what is so special about it?

It is special because the making of the most colourful moments of Campus life have been entrusted by the majority to a select few. So it is a time for them to see possibilities ahead. It is time for them to dream and work hard to make them come real. And we are gathered here to unite and rally behind them and offer them our whole-hearted support and encouragement to them. Members of the Student Union, We do this with all our heart!

I would like to bring to your kind attention 3 watchwords: They are
Focus,
Leadership, and
Action.

Let me take a few moments to highlight them for you.

As we think about focus, let us think about a man going to forest to shoot bears. As he goes inside with his loaded gun, he sees rabbits and is excited to see them run. So he shoots them as they are easy targets. But at the end of the day he comes home without having shot a bear because he did not focus on his real target.

So dear friends, if you plan to do something big this year for the welfare of the students focus sharply on that one thing. Do not get distracted by small rabbits. Or think about light. What power it has when it is concentrated like a laser beam. It can cut through the toughest materials. Simply because light is made to intensely focus on an object.

So let your first watch word be focus.

Secondly we come to leadership. Traditionally we understand leadership to mean someone in a place of authority. Dear friends let us redefine leadership. Instead of thinking of leadership as a position, think of it as influence. What is the influence you have on your community as a professional or even as an individual? Is it positive? Are you ready to become the salt of the earth giving taste by its influence and preserving the moral fabric of society?

Let me cite an example. Think about Yousuf Malala. I hope all you are familiar with her face. The 2013, 2014 and 2015 issues of Time magazine featured Malala as one of “The 100 Most Influential People in the World.” This teenage girl has influenced the world not because of any position she held but the courage she showed in the midst of great difficulty.

So let your second watchword be Leadership through influence.

Now it is time to look at the last watchword. It is Action. No amount of planning is going to do wonders if it is not acted upon. And taking action inspires others to follow your example. Let me ask you how many of you would like to walk the street at night when the street lights are not shining? Not me, not you! But how did the practice of street lighting begin? It was the example of one man who took action to light a lamp to dispel darkness.

Sir Benjamin Franklin lived in the city of Philadelphia. He was the postmaster there. One day he hung a lighted lantern in front of his home to dispel some darkness and cheer travellers at night. After a few days, some of his neighbours followed his example and soon the city of Philadelphia was bathed in light at night.

Thus one man’s action and example influenced an entire city. So do not plan for ever. Take bold and decisive action. Others will follow your example.

Let me conclude:

Forget your differences and unite with one heart and mind to make this year one of the most memorable and colourful of your Campus Life ever. Remember after you leave this place, you have only nostalgic memories to hold on to.

Take to heart the three watchwords I spelled out for you. Stay focused. Strive for leadership through influence. And take decisive and bold action and others will follow your good example.

In this way you can be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. There is no greater calling in your profession than this. I wish this Students Union God’s blessings and all success. Thank you.

January 20, 2018July 18, 2022

College Day Felicitation Speech

Respected Chairman of the meeting, Chief Guest of the Day, other dignitaries on the dais, my beloved colleagues and dear students,

There are special moments and occasions in the life of every community that brings people together. Today is one such day when we remember the past one year and all the good things that came along with it.

First of all let me congratulate all the organizers and participants of the week long celebrations and competitions concluding with the College Day. In today’s world marked by cut-throat competition, our festivities have fostered good will and sportsmanship among all.

It reminds us once again that in the final analysis it is not how many goals you scored or how many trophies you won that counts; but the spirit with which you played the game.

So winners and losers don’t matter;but what matters is how you enriched this community to have yet another bouquet of cherished memories this year. I salute all the players from staff and students who made this possible.

Secondly, College Day reminds us of what this Institution stands for. We stand for the best in academics and for unending pursuit of excellence. We uphold the value of love transformed into service and deeds of kindness. We try our best to shine a light in this world’s darkness in the hope that some poor soul somewhere may find comfort, joy and cheer.

College day reminds us of all these and above all it also is a reminder that yet another year is passing. That means we need to count our days and pray to God Almighty for wisdom to plan how to best utilize the limited time on earth that he has gifted to us.

So let me wish all of you present here the opportunity to leave your signature in the annals of our college history. I wish to remind you that however small your role here was, not one of you is insignificant. Not one of you is forgotten. You have contributed to this college in a very special way. On behalf of our Principal and all the management and staff, I wish each one of you the very best.

Even though our past is golden and our achievements are decorated with precious stones of many colours; I still believe that the best is yet to be! Let tomorrow dawn with better hopes and better dreams. Yes, we shall overcome some day, oh deep in my heart, I do believe, we shall overcome some day. Thank you.

January 20, 2018October 11, 2023

2 Minute Speech on Experience Is the Best Teacher

When someone needs to get a major surgery done he or she will seek out a surgeon with tremendous experience. It emphasizes the fact that we all value people with experience.

That brings us to the topic of the day “Experience Is the Best Teacher.”

Learning from text books is one thing and teachers do play a vital role in shaping our capabilities. But no amount of learning in classrooms can substitute practical experience. For it is in real life situations that we learn to apply what we were taught; make mistakes in the process and become wise in a true sense. We mature by doing.

Another important thing to note is how we learn to improvise. Whether it be medicine or sports or driving a vehicle what was taught has to be implemented using moment by judgement of people, situations and contexts. This can happen only through experience; and it is here that experience makes a vital difference.

Again, experience helps you to do things effectively with minimal effort. If you tried to gift wrap something you might have experienced some difficulty before you did it. But if you observe people who are assigned to do the gift wrapping in certain shopping malls we find them wrapping gifts quickly and efficiently. There is no labouring, no sense of frustration, but a positive feel of the easiness with which they do it. That is art at its best.

But the best of all is that experience helps you stay calm under pressure. When you face dangers, or when you are facing defeat during a game, or when you are racing against time in meeting a deadline; in all these and many more situations experienced people stay calm under pressure. That helps them to think with clarity. And it can drive the opposition to commit errors and leave you the winner.

So how do you gain experience? You gain that by doing things. If that is backed by knowledge and you are blessed with a teacher then the experience you gain will be worth its weight in gold.

You should therefore be alert to grab every opportunity to get invaluable experience in life. Variety is the key. You don’t drive a car only forward. Experience comes as you learn to do parallel parking, drive the car in very narrow roads, learn to start a vehicle when it stops as it climbs a steep uphill curve, and you learn to stay calm in a real nerve-racking wait in a crawling traffic jam.

Even though it is pointed out that “Experience is a comb life gives you after you lose your hair,”* there is something about the experienced man or woman that commands trust and respect. To sum it all up, let me quote a Faroese proverb which says, “Old ravens are not easy to fool.”

And I end on that note; that wisdom that comes with experience makes experience the best teacher. Thank you.

—

*Judith Stern –American writer (1942).

December 2, 2017October 11, 2023

Farewell Speech on the Retirement of Principal of an Institution

Respected Principal, dignitaries on the dais, distinguished guests, members of faculty, non-teaching staff and students,

In this beautiful season of Christmas, where all hearts are filled with hope and joy; I stand here with mixed emotions. On the one side there is a sense of sadness that our Principal is leaving us. On the other hand there is this awesome responsibility I face that of stepping into her shoes. Both the leaving and the taking make this a moment a difficult one indeed.

At this time I recall the poem by P. B. Shelley titled Ozymandias. It talks about a king who made monuments and statues of himself. But as years passed by they were all destroyed and buried in the vast endless desert sands.

Unlike this king some others leave their legacy in the hearts of people which is never destroyed. Such a person has been our Principal. She has scripted love and enduring respect in the hearts of all those who came in touch with her. Unlike buried monuments of stone what she has authored in our hearts will live on.

And as spoken in a famous movie*,

Yes, one of the greatest lessons you have shown us is that you cared for all of us. Therefore you earned the trust and respect of all who came into contact with you.

The respect you showed to each one of us, your willingness and eagerness to involve us in taking major decisions are things that will be remembered. You were dedicated to your task, sincere to the core, simple in life, able to remain calm under pressure, and never yielding to anger.

You were not only able to improve results in all courses but also created a stress-free learning environment for students. You tried your best to improve the quality of faculty and encouraged their development through education and research.

Your student-friendly approach and your understanding of the background of each student showing extra concern for those having problems—both academic and personal—will be lovingly remembered for a long time to come. Your systematic approach to things and your emphasis on punctuality made working with you a pleasant experience.

With all my heart and with the blessings of all present here I wish you a contented and joyous retired life. May you find useful ways to engage yourself in the service of God and men in the days to come. I also request you to kindly accept the gift that we are giving as a mark of gratitude for all that you’ve done for our Institution.

Now let me highlight the area of my focus as the baton is being handed over to me today. I take up this huge responsibility of being the Principal of this great Institution with humble trust in God and the prayer that he will keep me faithful in all that I have been entrusted to do.

My utmost priority and effort will be to create a Campus here which will be admired for its academic excellence, co-curricular pursuits and discipline that will be a model for many other Institutions of this kind.

I seek your cooperation in this regard. I thank all of you and the Management especially for your faith in me and entrusting me with this great responsibility.

As you have extended your kind support in the past, continue the same with greater eagerness and enthusiasm. Together we can build upon the great legacy our dear Principal is leaving behind. Thank you.

You can read this speech on retirement on LinkedIn too.

October 21, 2017October 11, 2023

2 Minute Speech on the Impact of Computer Games on Youth

Respected teachers and my dear friends,

Until some years ago, when children talked about games it meant team games like football, cricket, hockey, basketball, shuttle, tennis and the like. But today games are more or less dominated by computer games in the minds of youngsters.

Again, until some time ago, blue whale was the answer to the question “Which is the biggest animal on earth?” But no longer. Blue Whale is the name of an online computer game played over social networks which encourages youngsters to do certain tasks ending in suicide.

So let me spell out the topic for my speech. It is the Impact of Computer Games on Youth. It is very clear that youngsters interact with video games in much deeper ways physically, emotionally, and mentally than with other popular media like films. You can also read Gaming as Career, Entertainment, and Addiction! for further insight on gaming.

First let me focus on the benefits of computer games.

Many claim that computer games improve co-ordination, attention, concentration and problem-solving skills. It also enhances memory, helps in multitasking capability and can also be used as excellent teaching tools.

There are video games like building a city or helping others. These can help a youngster to be socially responsible and behave with care and concern for others.

Computer games, some people say, help youngsters to get familiar with the online world. It allows them to become smart kids and builds perseverance in them as many computer games have different levels which the gamer has to master.

Quick thinking, fast analysis, intelligent use of resources and management, planning and strategy and situational awareness are some other benefits that people highlight.

Let us assume that all these are good. Let us now look at some of the negatives.

Very young children are also exposed to the world of computer gaming. Sometimes these games can encourage violence and crime. So there should be a supervision of what type of game is played.

Secondly, the amount of time one spends on computer games have to be limited. There are known cases of people spending long hours on games without eating, mingling with friends or studying. This affects health as well as the person’s ability to interact with other people face to face.

Thirdly women are generally portrayed in games as weak and as kind of objects. It is a kind of negative stereotyping. It can wrongly impact the young boys and the way they treat women.

Again, there are studies which show that video games can lead to aggressive behaviour because of constantly playing games which require the gamer to take part in violence.

Another difficulty with video games is that parents rarely spend time with their children trying to find out what games they play. So parents lose a chance of bonding with their children; they lose the chance to spend quality time with their kids and of course they lose the chance to understand what type of behaviour change is occurring in their children because of the video games they play.

Finally, there is the danger of not differentiating between the real world and the fantasy world. Unless the youngsters are taught between the differences in the gaming world and the real world there can come moments of confusion and disappointment.

Let me conclude by saying that we cannot forget the fact video games and gaming have become a multi-billion dollar industry. It might easily be the fastest growing entertainment in the world today.The high quality of graphics giving a greater sense of virtual reality is drawing people more and more into a different world far removed from the real one. And it is impacting youngsters in a big way. Only time will tell of how the life of youth changed with video games dominating their play, study, thinking, and relationships.

October 16, 2017October 11, 2023

2 Minute Speech on Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Mankind!

Hi friends,

Every age has its scientific discoveries and inventions. But today’s scientific advancements can impact globally in very short time. Such is the progress made in the field of artificial intelligence or AI.

AI is in simple terms machines and computers learning, thinking and doing what human intelligence does. Instead of doing certain tasks repeatedly, with AI, machines operate from data that we feed them with to recognize human voices, use human language, drive cars or even the ability to suggest the next course of treatment or an article or book you might like to read.

Artificial Intelligence is something which impacts our everyday life. If you have ever used the Google search engine they give you optimized, so near to what you asked for results based on AI. On the other extreme AI is used in Robotics and even in weaponry which can function without human aid.

Now let me ask this vital question, why is there a surge in the field of AI? Several thrusts can be pointed out. But science and technology is trying to create a super intelligence that can outperform human beings not just in specific tasks but in complex cognitive activity which includes decision-making, problem-solving, memory, speech recognition, attention and judgement.

This can lead mankind to a life of ease like never known before when lot of what they had to perform is done to perfection with the help of AI aided robots or machines. But then there is a danger here. What if AI through some chance or misjudged human calculation acquires smarter intelligence that can control human beings or wreck disasters unheard of?

Yes, there are benefits of AI that we are yet to see that far outweighs these assumed dangers. Maybe no one can stop the march of science or those with scientific pursuit and perseverance who are passionately working in the R & D of AI. Soon someday what many thought as Science Fiction, which people read about in novels or watched in movies as future becomes real and operational now.

If AI creates automated jobs in plenty, will that replace much of human skill and labour? That might be an interesting question of concern to many. Or will AI create more careers or at least offer a few career paths which intelligent kids might be tempted to pursue?

Well, let me conclude. There was a time called the beginning when God created man in his image and likeness. But man running independent of God is capable of acts and deeds that mar the purpose for which man was created. We see the impact of that in the environment as well as in senseless destruction through wars and man’s greed.

Likewise AI created by man to have the complex ability to think and act like human beings can act in destructive mode if something goes wrong. Hacking and programming errors or even robots starting to communicate with each other in a language man will not be able to understand can well be the nightmare of tomorrow.

As the world’s leading technology Companies are competing with each other to show the world their prowess through pioneering AI; as efforts are being made to deify AI to semi-god status, robots can some day gain enough intelligence to challenge the might of man. Though it might be in the future, we might lose our sleep on it this very night. Thank you.

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October 11, 2017July 18, 2022

2 Minute Speech for Students on Democracy

Hi Friends,

Loudspeakers blaring with appeals to vote for a particular candidate.
Banners, flags, and colourful posters waved by rallying masses.
Speeches spitting fire. Debates and arguments.
Motorcades and walks and marches.
House to house campaigns. Leaflets and pamphlets being distributed.
Candidates appearing on television.

Well, here in these images that flashed across your mind’s eye the gateway opens to your understanding of democracy. Let us forget the excitement of elections for a moment. And ask ourselves, What is democracy? Let us try to find out.

Freedom that brings responsibility, to borrow a thought from Nehru’s Tryst with Destiny speech, is the bedrock of democracy. Its power is vested in people or as the word democracy literally means “rule of the people.” Leadership that arises out of the people’s will and mandate is what drives a democracy forward.

The right to free speech as well as the right to choose are fundamental to democracy. One way to look at democracy is the way oration of leaders have played in shaping history. Even the popular definition of democracy as “government of the people, by the people, for the people” is the concluding thought of Abraham Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address.

Democracy thrives when there is a free flow of ideas.
It thrives when the dignity of individuals and their basic rights are upheld, preserved and cherished.
It thrives when oppositions are strong and bring forth constructive criticism of government policies.
Of course, where there are constitutions, the judiciary plays a significant and vital role in upholding the values enshrined in the constitution. When respect to the legislature, the law-making body of democracy is violated then it is the first step to the disintegration of democratic values.

The challenges of democracy are many:
The kind of corruption that is rampant in democratic institutions is phenomenal.
Criminalization of politics is another.
The dearth of women representation is an area of concern when half of the population is women.
Regional parties playing a kingmaker’s role in national politics is not desirable as it weakens the national outlook.
The lack of political will in implementing beneficial policies is often seen when governments play vote bank appeasing politics.
These are some serious challenges faced by democracy. Even then much good has been done in terms of equality, justice for all, freedom of speech and religion, and inclusion of the weaker and marginalized sections of society into the mainstream of public life, education, employment and the like.

Again, the role of the media as shaping public opinion is worthy of consideration. That is why whenever a dictator takes over in a democracy his first act is to shut down and put a curb on all media. In this 21st century, technology in the form of internet and social media has made everyone capable of contributing their ideas and critiques. This has created greater visibility to politicians and also it acts as a deterrent as anything done wrong can instantly go viral.

Democracy is best seen when governments are voted out of power. It reminds great leaders and their political parties that ultimately it is people who reign and they are at best ministers or servants of the masses.

To conclude, there is no other better or satirical presentation of democracy than found in G. B. Shaw’s preface to The Apple Cart. He says that “I am going to ask you to begin our study of Democracy by considering it first as a big balloon, filled with gas or hot air, and sent up so that you shall be kept looking up at the sky whilst other people are picking your pockets.”

But not all is negative about democracy. What is now required is for people to become more aware and educated about the power of their vote; how important it is to exercise their franchise when they get a chance to do so.

Even as political slogans and sound bites still sway the hearts and minds of the masses;
even as the excitement and frenzy of campaigning takes over every few years;
the hope expressed by Abraham Lincoln will live on:
the “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth!” Thank you.

September 4, 2017October 11, 2023

A Speech on Mobile Phones: Boon or Bane!

Hi Friends,

Mobile phones have changed the way people communicate. Everywhere you see people talking over phone while on the move.

For many people life revolves around mobile phones. The advantage is that you can keep in touch with people with ease. You can maintain friendships and relationships. Through mobile phones and a variety of apps, distances and memories are bridged in real time. It is nothing less than amazing what technology has wrought through mobile phones.

That is about connection.

Another advantage is the sense of security it gives to people. For example elderly parents when alone at home can get in touch with their children in an instant in case of an emergency. Mothers can keep in constant touch with their daughters while they travel alone. Or even if your vehicle gets punctured on the road or meets with an accident you can call for help right from there. These advantages cannot be overlooked.

That is about confidence.

Third advantage is that most mobile phones give you access to world wide web and the information super highway. Knowledge is just a search away. Whether it be referring to a dictionary, or looking up “how to” do something in a Youtube video, or gathering information from Wikipedia, websites, blogs and the like; people find it at lightning speed with the help of search engines like google.

That is about comprehension.

If you still try to analyze the benefits of mobile phones it includes banking, shopping, purchasing tickets, photography, music and to mention the ease of switching on the light in case of a sudden power cut. In that sense some people say mobiles are extension of their hands.

That is about convenience.

So, the benefits of mobile phones can be summed up in four words: Connection, Confidence, Comprehension, and Convenience.

Now let me mention how mobile phones can become a bane.

First and foremost mobile phones can easily make people addicted to its use. The long hours people spend on mobile phones certainly steal from quality time you can spend at work, with family and friends. In other words mobile phones are a distraction preventing you from sharply focusing on your task ahead.

That is about distraction.

Secondly, people do use mobile phones to engage in secretive relationships. It is used to violate private spaces including the sacred marriage relationship. Somehow Facebook, WhatsApp and other apps have given a sense of ease and a false sense of freedom to people to engage in clandestine relationships. This has destroyed many families. Children are growing up seeing their parents spend long hours chatting with strangers neglecting their family responsibilities. Of course, you might call me outdated when I say so. But I prefer to be labelled than to stop saying the truth. Let me repeat again, this is a dangerous aspect of mobile phones.

That is about demolition.

Yet another negative of mobile phones is the damage it does to one’s body in the long run. Whether radiation is causing harm or not is still debated. But today we find people engaging with their mobiles with heads bowed down. There are people who injure their necks and back and wrists and eyes and ears because of long use of mobile phones. How can I fail to point out the great number of accidents caused by people using mobile phones while driving.

That is about destruction.

Finally, what about the market influence of mobiles? Why is there such flashy media hype about new mobiles arriving at the market? Why is it that even selfies, a kind of social disease, are made the stuff of advertisements? It is amazing to see how people get so choosy and obsessed with gadgets. Mobiles beyond their functionality and variety of uses often becomes a style statement. It becomes synonymous with a man’s purchasing power and social status. Gadgets and their possession is a terribly deluded way to compute one’s attempt to define the meaning of one’s life.

That is about display.

Let me once again note the four words related to the negative influences of mobiles: Distraction, Demolition, Destruction and Display.

Now that both sides have been heard and let me conclude.

None of us today can afford to avoid mobile phones. But certainly we can ensure that mobile phones are our servants and not our masters. We can fix boundaries for the time we spend with mobile phones; boundaries that should not be stretched or crossed. We can then live with dignity with the assurance that mobile phones serve our cause and that they will not dictate us to a life of bondage and slavery and unending boredom with so called entertainment.

Choose life and not death! Thank you.

“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” — Jesus Christ (Luke 12:15 Bible)

July 28, 2017October 11, 2023

A Student’s Inspiring Election Campaign Speech for the Post of School Leader!

Respected Principal, Beloved Teachers and my dear friends,

A warm good morning to one and all.

Leadership is an opportunity to serve. It is with this vision I aspire to be your leader. If selected, I would love to lead by example not just in academic pursuits but in all co-curricular activities as well.

The focus of my talk this morning is about three R’s. They are
Reach,
Respect, and
Relationship.

First of all let me talk about Reach.
Most of us have potential. And many of us have not discovered what it is all about. One of my first priorities will be to create opportunities for everyone to display their skills and talent. We cannot do it on our own. We need the guidance and support and encouragement of our teachers.

I am sure they will extend all possible help in this regard. In fact we are blessed to have the opportunity to study in this School which has always set standards of excellence not only in academic results but more importantly in student-teacher relationship.

The second thought I want to share with you is about Respect.
Why is this important? This is important because we live in a world where mind, muscle and money power rules. Human rights are constantly being violated. Intolerance between communities is growing. It is in this context that respect for others should be taught and understood and appreciated in our classrooms.

It is good to begin while we are young. I would like to create an atmosphere of respect in classrooms. We should learn to respect our parents, our teachers and elders. We should learn to respect the law of the land and be law-abiding citizens.

The third thought is about Relationship.
What is the point in studying in the same school and sitting on the same bench and not knowing what your friend’s difficulties in life are? We have become too selfish that we do not care for those who are hurting. So as your leader one of my priorities will be to create healthy relationships in classrooms thus paving the foundation of friendships that will last a lifetime.

This is very important because today children are spending more and more time with gadgets; chatting, gaming, and living in a virtual world. I wish that our students would spend more time in face to face interaction and joyful communication thus cementing good relationships.

So these are my main thoughts:
One, Let us strive to reach our full potential.
Two, Let us create an atmosphere of respect.
And three, Let us also try to build lasting relationships.

So I seek your cooperation. For nothing can be done by a leader alone. A leader is one who has a vision and has the ability to share it.

This I have done with all my heart!
Now it is your turn to respond to this vision.

As cricket commentators say, a captain can only be as good as the members of his team. No captain has succeeded without great team work. So I appeal to all of you my friends that we will achieve these goals through united effort, working hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder. Not one of you will be left behind.

Success to me is not one person achieving. Instead, it is about helping others achieve. It is about enabling others to realize their dreams. So let us begin to realize our full potential. Let us do this in an atmosphere of respect and sportsman spirit. In this process let us build lasting relationships.

Let me assure you my friends we are not going to be defeated, we will certainly win. And the beauty of the victory will be that we all shall win together and make our teachers and parents proud. So my dear friends, when you cast your votes remember me and my vision I have shared with you. Do cast your precious votes in my favour.

Reach, Respect, Relationship.
This is my vision, my dream and my goal. I cannot do it in my own strength but in the strength God shall provide. I cannot do it alone; we shall do it together. Thank you.

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July 16, 2017February 13, 2024

Speech on Why “Laughter Is the Best Medicine!”

My dear friends,

The ability to laugh is God-given. It is best seen when children come together and play. What an amazing thing it is how they laugh and have fun. Those are moments when life is bubbling over with joy and sheer enthusiasm.

Yes, such laughter can have echoes of heaven in it too. As Corrie ten Boom pointed out, “I had always thought that the laughter of the little children in an empty cathedral was the most beautiful of all hymns of praise.” You cannot give laughter a nearer place to the heart of God than that, can you?

When you laugh, there are many good things that happen. It helps you connect with people. For laughter is positively contagious. People laughing together is an excellent way to build relationships. It helps friends and members of family bond with each other. It helps increase trust and intimacy as well.

Again laughter is an expression of joy in one’s heart. Sadly, anxiety and worry, depression and loneliness are ills of modern society that prevent people from laughing out loud. It is in this context that laughter is understood to be the best medicine.

For laughter can relieve stress and increase our health in many different ways. While the smile of babies and the elderly are incomparably beautiful, it is the hearty laughter that acts as a stress buster.

One area of life that has been often seen as off-limits for laughter is one’s relationship with God. Though it is true that God is holy and no man or woman can stand in his presence based on his or her merits, goodness or achievements in life; it is also true that God wishes to impart gladness and joy to those who love him.

King David expressed his sincere hope that God will fill him with joy in his presence and eternal pleasures at his right hand.* Therefore it is clear that God gives joy and laughter to those who love him. It is indeed a sad thing to go through life and never laugh. For, as the noted theologian Karl Barth said, “Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God.”

Again, King Solomon many centuries ago expressed this truth in these words, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”* It is up to you to decide to step out of despair into a mode of thankfulness and praise. Laughter is absent from many lives, simply because people allow negative circumstances to crowd out their joy. So it is up to you again to see that your joy is not stolen from you.

Finally, let me ask you one question? What prevents you from laughing? Whatever be the reason you cannot afford not to laugh. Therefore take time to go out with friends and family. Do something positive and creative together. Enjoy healthy fun and entertainment.

Let me conclude with a wish and prayer for you. May God send long-cherished blessings your way today. May you find things close to your heart restored to you. Then you will be like “men who dreamed,” and your “mouths be filled with laughter and your tongues with songs of joy.”* Thank you.

Read Laughter Is the Best Medicine on LinkedIn
—

*Psalm 16:11, Proverbs 17:22, Psalm 126:1, 2
“Jesus, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame.” — Hebrews 12:2 Bible

November 21, 2016November 9, 2022

Do Films Influence Youth?

And the Oscar for the best director goes to . . .

The world listens in eager anticipation to these words every year.

Yes, films have entertained the world for so many decades now. With technology at one’s finger tips watching movies happens at one’s leisure through mobiles and tablets as well.

But the nagging question is about the influence of movies on youth. Does society influence films or do films influence society? Especially youngsters.

It is true that many script writers find their plots from what they see, hear and experience in society. It is also true that some books have been made into great movies as well.

At the same time we need to consider the impact of the big screen or the silver screen on youngsters.

The first thought is about role models. Youngsters shape their thoughts and subject their emotions to the way their favourite film stars speak and act. Many forget to remember that what is shown on screen is idealistic and not realistic.

The second concern is about violence and crime. Many movies show violence. In many cases we find that those who do these crimes are not duly punished. So movies influence youth to consider violence as a justifiable means to achieve their goals in life.

Thirdly, we need to consider wrong signals some movies communicate about relationships. For example the divine institution of the family is constantly under threat. Several movies portray wrong relationships in a glamorous and desirable manner. This undermines the cherished values of marriage and family.

Again, we have to ask the reason why people rush to the theatres to watch movies? Isn’t it because there is an irresistible pull when a new film is released? If there is no pleasure or entertainment will people especially the youth throng to the movies?

Sometimes it is the dance and the music, at times it is the cinematography or choreography that makes people crowd at the movies. Often films influence youth not only in fashions but also speech patterns. Youngsters learn to use curse words and four letter words from popular English movies.

Again, movies often show physical abuse and violence against women. In a good number of films, women are shown as objects to be desired than as persons to be valued, cherished and respected. Of course not all films portray women negatively. Some do show women at their best in family life as well as careers. But “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.”*

Movies also equate money with success, and glamour and beauty a with social acceptability. The flood of such movies cannot be counteracted by the good movies that show courage, heroism, sacrifice, moral values, and patriotic fervour. It is also to be noted that the glorification of scientific fiction in Sci-Fi movies almost desensitize youth to see the real needs of human beings like poverty and injustice around them.

The larger than life images that appear on screen, the glossy images of film stars that are too unreal and appearing on magazine covers and pullouts, the love stories that pepper films; all do influence youth mostly negatively. Immoral lifestyles seen in movies are often imitated by youth in real life.

Whether youngsters know to choose the good and leave the bad is a question that I leave open ended. Thank you.

Sample Inspiring Refreshing Welcome Speech at Film Festival Inauguration/

—
Quote on Leaven, Galatians 5:9, Bible.

November 16, 2016July 18, 2022

Cartoons in a World of Good and Bad

Cartoons are part of a child’s life. Whether watching cartoons is good or bad has been debated much as well.

One of the positive elements said about cartoons is that it helps a child learn words at a very early age quite effortlessly. This happens when the child listens to cartoons and picks up words and phrases and repeats them.

Another positive is that many cartoons often depicting animals convey stories containing morals. This can help in the development of the child’s personality in a very positive sense.

As far as the attitude of parents is concerned, they opt for their children to watch cartoons so that they will be able to do something without children interrupting them. This is not good in the long run. Ideally, parents should make a deliberate effort to spend quality time with their children. They can play with them, go for visiting places together or even go shopping.

In other words, allowing the television and cartoons to take the role of parents spells D.A.N.G.E.R.

The danger of cartoons is that they invade every available space. Try going shopping for the needs of your children. Be it a snacks box, a pencil box, a bag or name slip, or rain coat or whatever else you can name, you get stuff with cartoon characters printed on it. Quite evidently it is a clever marketing technique employed.

Another danger is that cartoons introduce children to a world of violence at a very impressionable age. Many cartoons have violent fights. This definitely influences children. And some cartoons contain violence for which no punishment is given. Both the one who does the violence and the one who prevents it appear in all episodes. So what message does that convey about evil and violence in the real world?

Some parents have raised the concern that their children don’t listen to anything they say. But if they tell their children that this is how this particular cartoon character would like you to behave, they immediately obey. This trend is very dangerous because a child is giving more authority to a cartoon character than his or her real parents.

Again children who watch violent cartoons can easily show aggressive behaviour. They might try to imitate certain ways in which their favourite cartoon character reacts to situations. Such behaviour may not be acceptable to other children playing with them. This can cause friction and tension between children. It can become ugly if parents take sides.

Yet another point is what cartoons do to a child’s imagination. Cartoons easily draw boundary lines in a child’s mind. A child easily thinks and acts the way his or her favourite cartoon does. It is very difficult for him or her to exercise creativity in more imaginative ways. In that sense the child is limited by the imaginativeness of the cartoons he watches.

On further thought there is the mixing up of reality and fiction. When children see cartoon characters jump from high rise buildings to the ground and suffer no harm, they can get a false notion that they too can do it and survive. Similar is the case when they see a lot of shooting and fight with lethal weapons.

And if parents watch cartoons with a very critical eye, they will see that a lot of subtle or subliminal messages about attractive dressing, boy–girl relationships, supernatural and evil forces etc. are conveyed through cartoons which may not prove healthy for their children.

To conclude, let me remind that cartoons will be with us for a long time. Today’s generation grows up with images and catch phrases of cartoon characters all around them.

The challenge is whether parents will yield their moral leadership to cartoons or not. If parents can spend quality time with their children and help them discern what is good and what is bad; then there is hope for kids to have a better tomorrow.

November 11, 2016November 11, 2022

2 Minute Speech for School Children On Science and Development

From the time the first wheel started rolling, the world has progressed in leaps and bounds. When the wheel gathered momentum and speed with the arrival of the combustion engine, a new era had dawned in human history.

Soon, it was man’s turn to fly. Travel became faster. And with the arrival of telephones, television, computers, and mobile phones the world shrank to a global village. With the arrival of the internet and a variety of software applications most routine activities like shopping and banking is now at the fingertips.

All this has influenced how people live. Life has become faster and easier. At the same time, this kind of easy life has impacted man’s health as well. Instead of physical activity which can help reduce stress, modern gadgets and equipment has compelled man to move to a sedentary life style.

At the same time we cannot forget the developments science has made in the field of medicine. We even have robotic surgery today. Even when several diseases like Aids and Cancer still plague a good majority of the world’s population the life-saving and health improving developments in the field of medicine are commendable.

Technology has also changed the face of education and the classroom. Teachers and teaching have an added dimension in virtual classrooms. The advantage of this is that the best education can be availed by people even in remote villages if electricity and internet connectivity can be provided. This is a remarkable achievement even when Internet or the Information Super Highway has opened for a man a lot of avenues for exploring evil as well.

That is why whether science is a bane or boon has been debated for a long time now. We have benefited much from science. We owe much to the sacrificial contribution of scientists and researchers worldwide. But in the hand of men with devilish intent, science can be used for destructive purposes as well. Here checks have to be made by appeal to the human conscience and wherever possible by laws and international treaties and understanding.

Another area where man has tried to probe is space. Space exploration is throwing open new horizons and knowledge. Weather forecast and telecommunications have had significant improvement because of satellites in orbit.

However, there is this haunting thought. Every step that man takes forward in science reveals the smallness of man. It tells us how much more is there for man to know under the microscope as well as in the stellar galaxies and beyond.

It is true that science has created great progress. But several inventions like the dynamite and the atom bomb have already created havoc in this world. Not to mention the thoughtless use of plastic. Or for that matter technology invading relationships through the arrival of social media. Do you think your privacy is not under threat when you browse the internet or make a purchase online? You are under watchful eyes of those interested in their market empires. So technology has its downside and hope that frightens you a little bit!

Now let me conclude. Science can be a great instrument in peace and development. At the same time the hope that science will create heaven on earth is largely a myth. Simply because man’s behaviour has not altered over the centuries. And in the hands of the wrong people or a bad decision by a person in leadership science might script the final showdown of man’s history on earth someday. Yes friends, time will prove what is truth.

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