A Motivational Session at St. Patrick’s High School – 23rd January 2026
It all started during a casual conversation with my dentist. When he asked me where I did my schooling from, I replied ‘St. Patricks High School, Adyar, Chennai’, he was pleasantly surprised and said “Sir I am also a Patrician”. Thus started the reconnect with my Alma Mater after six decades.
I was asked by the Alumni of St. Patricks High School, Adyar to give a motivational talk to the students of the 11th and 12th standards. Being an Alumnus myself, having passed out of the school in 1965, it was an opportunity and an honour to interact with the students who were on the threshold of stepping out into the future that would determine the course of their lives. The school itself had grown in size with the addition of more buildings and hostels. But what pleased me most was that the old building stood there intact with the classrooms where once we had attended classes, and carrying memories. The school had completed 150 years since it was established. The campus is beautiful with a lot of green cover and situated on the banks of the Adyar river. In a lighter vein it appeared that I was perhaps one of the oldest members in the Alumni. I also noted that many of the members were not even born when I passed out of school in 1965.
I couldn’t recollect when I had last addressed a gathering, but I am sure it was when I was in active service in the bank. Maybe some seminars, farewell speeches and the like. This was different, this was supposed to be a motivational session where the audience consisted of a generation far removed from my own, whose knowledge levels, aspirations and expectations were more demanding, growing up in an atmosphere of extreme competition and opportunities. Initially it was daunting, but then I realized that whichever generation we belong to, the basic emotions and instincts would remain the same.
I was clear that this was not going to be a speech or a lecture for there is always the danger of it ending up as a sermon or a monologue and I did not want to do either of them. So I said ‘let us have a talk’ for it ensures there is a dialogue and participation. And that’s what I did.
And this is what I talked -
“Standing here today is deeply emotional for me. Exactly sixty years ago, I walked out of these gates as a 15-year-old boy — slim, serious, slightly confused, but absolutely convinced that I was destined for something “big”! At that age, of course, we all think we know everything. We have strong opinions. We have big plans.
When I was in Class X, the most dangerous question an adult could ask was:
“So… what do you want to become?” In my time, the options were very limited. You were either going to be a doctor or an engineer. That was it. No data science, no AI, no entrepreneurship, no content creators, no start-ups. If you said you wanted to “explore,” people would look at you as if you needed medical attention! Since I was reasonably good at Mathematics and Science, I confidently announced, “Engineer.” It sounded impressive. It satisfied relatives. And it saved me from further questioning.
Looking back, I sometimes wonder — did I choose engineering, or did engineering quietly choose me? But let me tell you something important: at 15, it is perfectly fine not to have all the answers. In fact, if you think you have all the answers at 15, life will soon correct you — gently… or sometimes not so gently!
When I think of my journey, I realise something very clearly: whatever I became later in life had its roots here. It was within these classrooms that I began to discover my strengths. It was on this playground that I learned teamwork. It was under the guidance of our teachers that I learned discipline. They didn’t merely teach us subjects. They shaped our thinking. They insisted on punctuality. They corrected our grammar. They demanded neat handwriting — something many of you have successfully escaped thanks to keyboards! But beyond academics, they instilled something far more valuable — character.
I love what Salvador Dalí once said: “At the age of six I wanted to be a cook. At seven I wanted to be Napoleon. And my ambition has been growing steadily ever since.” That quote always makes me smile. Because it is so true. Dreams change they evolve as you grow and that is perfectly natural. The key is not to panic when your dreams change. The key is to grow with them.
My Journey took me from St. Patrick’s High School, to Loyola College, and later to IIT Kharagpur. It was not all smooth sailing. There were moments of doubt. There were exams that did not go as planned. There were nights of anxiety before results. And yes, there were days when I wondered whether I truly belonged there.
What I learned was that talent may open the door but discipline keeps you in the room. Success is usually the result of small, consistent efforts repeated every day. There are no shortcuts, the real progress happens quietly through persistence.
One of the biggest challenges you face today is competition and comparison. As someone who has seen six decades of change from a youth just out of school to where I find myself today, the biggest hurdle I have faced is comparison. It robs us of our joy, confidence and potential. Growth is not a competition; it is a personal evolution. We all want to grow, to be loved and held in high esteem. We work towards realizing our full potential and fulfillment
Ambition is important. Without ambition, we drift. But ambition must be balanced. When I talk of ambition I look at it as -
Personal growth – To become healthier, wiser, more confident, emotionally balanced, understand , empathize and accept.
Career growth – To excel in your chosen field, whatever it may be.
Social growth – To contribute, to give back, to uplift others.
At different stages in our life success undergoes a transformation- from winning to earning, to stability and ultimately you will understand success as significance.
I have narrowed down on five words which could perhaps help you to focus on the journey ahead and achieve your goals -
Persistence, Patience, Purpose, Passion, Principles. And of course there is one ‘P’ which should be avoided and that is Procrastination.
As I stand here today, sixty years after I left these gates, I feel — Gratitude to this institution, to my teachers, to my parents and lastly to life itself. When I left St. Patrick’s as a boy, I carried dreams. Today, I return carrying memories… and immense respect for the foundation this school gave me.
One day, many decades from now, one of you will stand here — perhaps as a leader, a scientist, an artist, an entrepreneur — and you will say, “It all began here.”
My journey began here. Yours is unfolding now. Make it meaningful, ethical, and joyful. Before I end I shall leave it to you to answer for yourself at some stage in your life -
What difference did I make?
Whose life did I improve?
Did I live by my principles.
Thank you, and may your future be bright and purposeful”.
