In ancient times the “Coming Of Age” ceremony would be to celebrate the child’s first conquest i.e. his first kill (hunting),that marked his walk into the adult world.It was a public declaration of sorts to prove their mettle. As we have progressed as a species, our conquests thankfully ,have become more academic and intellectual.
The pursuit for knowledge and in turn attaining the same,must be awarded and it is -with a degree.A piece of very significant paper certifying that you have been through the training needed to pursue your professional career. Yet,the public proclamation of achievement is important in itself.
It’s the journey not the destination that matters! While we have heard this time and again , it must be said that reaching the destination is paramount to success. To acknowledge the journey is one thing, but to feel the joy or happiness on reaching your goals -celebrating it, is essential to move on to further avenues or maybe even greener pastures. To finally finish what you have started with a group of strangers, who along the journey have become your closest friends ,to remember this day as the start of your responsible adult life.To have the feeling of nostalgia wash over you and feel the excitement of new beginnings – a heady duality in itself indeed. To have the class valedictorian give the speech that marks this day, saying goodbye to a very familiar surroundings to go to the work place or to another city or country to make a name for yourself in your field. As tragic as it is ,our college has yet to start conferring degrees in this manner, rather we have to stand in lines at the J.N.T.U. office to get our degrees in a manner that has left much to be desired. While in other countries, in order to battle the rate of drop outs a convocation ceremony is held every time a student moves from one class of schooling to another(i.e. Primary School, Middle School,High School,etc.). This incentivizes students to work hard ,so that in the end their efforts can be acknowledged. The lack of this incentive does not stop Indians from achieving .We have seen many a genius come from humble backgrounds from Indra Nooyi to Satya Nadella, we have an arsenal of trump cards,of highly qualified professionals making India proud everywhere. But this convocation has to be deemed for what it truly stands for-“A Rite of Passage”, for every college student. Face it, we’ve always dreamt of being handed our degree on a stage with our family cheering on in the audience.
It must be noted that hunters used to wear a cloth around their necks,on which they used to wipe their blades ….
The more the stripes, meant he was an adept and skilled warrior. And much as we have moved on from these seemingly barbaric times, we must take notice that the tie, a dress code marking a person in a high collar profession has evolved from the same tradition,this is why diagonal stripes are the predominant pattern for ties.
For a person to take pride in his achievements,he must be proud of his past, so that on the foundation of a strong community (which are his roots) he may build his domain.It is because of the acknowledgement of the village elders that a warrior or hunter becomes who he is.
Hence, human need for an accomplishment to be rewarded and acknowledged,the proverbial “Pat On The Back”,has shaped our psyche,therefore it is this need that should be fulfilled by the elders of our society,whom we admire and look up to.
A humble request to our Principal and Founders, give us an opportunity to be proud to graduate from the fine college that is K.M.I.T . Give us the gift and sweet memories of a convocation from our beloved Alma Mater.
