The first batch of students were passing out of Sai University “at a time when India is the cynosure of all eyes… and when the world expects India to be one of the leaders to solve the global problems of politics and economics”, said N.R. Narayana Murthy, founder of Infosys.
“India sits at the high table in most major multinational deliberations. What India says is heard most often with seriousness. You have today that rare opportunity and heavy responsibility of further strengthening this newfound respectability,” he said in his convocation address here on Wednesday.
Patriotism was the instrument to fulfil the responsibility, he explained. “Patriotism is about working ethically and wholeheartedly in our own chosen sphere during the entire life to enhance public good for one’s country and the world,” he said. To him, patriotism meant performing one’s job with speed, discipline, excellence and commitment; eschewing corruption in transactions with politicians and government officials, paying taxes honestly and following laws. “It is in shunning apathy in identifying and exposing corruption and personal interest in public governance. It is ensuring that every action makes the country a better place,” he added.
Mr. Murthy urged the graduating students to make India important enough on the global scene to be offered a seat in the United Nations’ Security Council without asking for it. He recalled that Indian software companies, by benchmarking with the global best, succeeded in the global market. It brought better respect to India and better value to customers in the Indian domestic market as well, he pointed out. Demystifying innovation, he said it was all about making things cheaper, faster and better.
Earlier, Sai University’s founder and Chancellor K.V. Ramani honoured Mr. Murthy with an honorary Doctor of Science degree. Others who were awarded honorary Doctor of Letters were former Supreme Court Judge B.N. Srikrishna and executive director of International Monetary Fund K.V. Subramanian.
Mr. Srikrishna cited the Gita and said students should follow the path of dharma, which, he said was nothing but the rule of law. He urged students to look for opportunities in challenging situations.
University Vice-Chancellor Ajith Abraham said the institution was launching four new schools from the academic year 2025-26. They included – School of Business; School of AI; School of Technology; and School of Media.
Mr. Ramani said a total of 58 students received their degrees at the event. Ten students who topped the Dean’s list and rank list in various courses received medals. Anubha Singh, deputy V-C, also spoke.
