Investiture Final Speech

Respected Principal, Teachers, my fellow Parents and Students.

Standing here in front of you, takes me back a couple of weeks, when Trpti came home and insisted, “Dad, please make sure you don’t embarrass me, in front of the entire school - Be serious and don’t try and Be Cool” and now as I face all of you, it suddenly hits me, “Wow, hope, I don’t embarrass myself! And, how can I not Be Cool?”

So let me, give you a brief insight on, what I think is “Being Cool” … it is, what I have learnt as I have grown older and become more aware. When I was in school, Being Cool, was a comparative thing … it was like “He is Cool, She is not as Cool” or ‘She is Cool and He is not as Cool” … but it is not that at All! No, it is also not who the President is, or who is the star Football player.

Being Cool is treating people well and with respect.

It is, a person who does not make another person uncomfortable.

Remember, being nice to others, makes you cool.

If you can keep that inside of you for the rest of your lives, that’s Cool. So once again, it is also not how you dress, or the music you listen to, or who you hang out with, or whether you have an ipad or a psp or an xbox, it is who you are and how you treat people. BiS, I know, teaches every student this very aspect of life, and each of you should therefore consider yourself very, very lucky to have learnt so early, on Being Cool.

BiS, also teaches “Leadership” and that is why we all are here today. And to all of you who have been chosen today, I wish to provide you a fresh perspective, in addition to being Leaders, remember, Leader-ship. The word, ship is hidden within the word leadership. As its derivation. If this school is in fact a ship, as its Leader, you are the captain. But, you are all also in the same boat! You therefore have the responsibility to ensure that you use the office wisely and maturely.

You, do, of course, also have the responsibility of Leading … so as Leaders, remember what George Bernard Shaw wrote, “Most people see things as they are and say, Why? I dream of things that never were, and say, Why Not?” Leadership is after all, Action and not a Position. Let your actions therefore inspire others to Dream more, Learn more, Do more and Become more. Be a Leader!

We are sure that each one of you will do an outstanding job and once again congratulate you to your post.

In conclusion, Dhara & I, take this opportunity to wish all you students the very best in the coming year and thank you once again for having us over for the Investiture ceremony. Stay Cool!