ISI Exam, S S Patna High School, Narayan Murthy Speech

10th May was date of ISI written exam. Unfortunately I couldnt write well in the exam. It is almost certain that I wouldn't be getting call for Interview. Now next two weeks have to be busy with m.tech thesis writting. 26 May is the submission date.

Went to home on 8th. Experienced a rare event while going to home by train this time. I had ticket in Koraput-Howrah Exp. There I met the doctor of IG Park Rourkela in our coup. Few months back also I met him n his family in the same coup in Porbandar-Howrah Exp. He is a vetenary doctor. And it turned that he knows Nishith Panda, who studied in Shyam Sundarpur Patna High School. He was the elder brother of Asit Panda who was 2 year senior to me and we stayed in the same room where our beloved teacher Shymapada Ghorai babu sir used to stay. Nisith Panda was in class XII when I was in class V only (in the year 1988). I told the doctor this time that (I didnt ask his name !, He was earlier posted in Alipore Zoo) in between I have read a news article that Nishith Panda is now Paschim Medinipur district animal husbandry dept director or so.

Come back to Rourkela today. It seems few more days at home would have been nice. Which is possible after our result in June 2nd week. Then have to haunt for lecturership in colleges. Due to recession the situation is getting worse.... But wise people says that brave people extract maximum advantages in the tough times.

Back in home, I was reading an old collection of Narayan Murthy's graduation day speech in an university in US. This speech can be accessed at http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/may/28bspec.htm.
He shared some of his experiences in life with the graduating students. I quote the inspiring lines from his speech:

1. "..importance of learning from experience. It is less important, I believe, where you start. It is more important how and what you learn. If the quality of the learning is high, the development gradient is steep, and, given time, you can find yourself in a previously unattainable place. Learning from experience, however, can be complicated. It can be much more difficult to learn from success than from failure. If we fail, we think carefully about the precise cause. Success can indiscriminately reinforce all our prior actions. "

2. "A second theme concerns the power of chance events. As I think across a wide variety of settings in my life, I am struck by the incredible role played by the interplay of chance events with intentional choices. While the turning points themselves are indeed often fortuitous, how we respond to them is anything but so. It is this very quality of how we respond systematically to chance events that is crucial."

3. "The mindset one works with is also quite critical. ... a fixed mindset, creates a tendency to avoid challenges, to ignore useful negative feedback and leads such people to plateau early and not achieve their full potential. ...a growth mindset, leads to a tendency to embrace challenges, to learn from criticism and such people reach ever higher levels of achievement. "

"... Based on my life experiences, I can assert that it is this belief in learning from experience, a growth mindset, the power of chance events, and self-reflection that have helped me grow to the present.
Back in the 1960s, the odds of my being in front of you today would have been zero. Yet here I stand before you! With every successive step, the odds kept changing in my favour, and it is these life lessons that made all the difference.
My young friends, I would like to end with some words of advice. Do you believe that your future is pre-ordained, and is already set? Or, do you believe that your future is yet to be written and that it will depend upon the sometimes fortuitous events?
Do you believe that these events can provide turning points to which you will respond with your energy and enthusiasm? Do you believe that you will learn from these events and that you will reflect on your setbacks? Do you believe that you will examine your successes with even greater care?
I hope you believe that the future will be shaped by several turning points with great learning opportunities. In fact, this is the path I have walked to much advantage.
A final word: When, one day, you have made your mark on the world, remember that, in the ultimate analysis, we are all mere temporary custodians of the wealth we generate, whether it be financial, intellectual, or emotional. The best use of all your wealth is to share it with those less fortunate.
I believe that we have all at some time eaten the fruit from trees that we did not plant. In the fullness of time, when it is our turn to give, it behooves us in turn to plant gardens that we may never eat the fruit of, which will largely benefit generations to come. I believe this is our sacred responsibility, one that I hope you will shoulder in time."