Rajalakshmi Engineering College celebrates 23rd graduation day; cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin chief guest

NEW DELHI: Rajalakshmi Engineering College (REC) celebrated its 23rd graduation day where former Team India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin conferred to around 1,601 youth with degrees, including PhDs, while 20 of them were gold medallists.

Addressing the students during the 23rd graduation day of Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Ashwin said: “Whatever lies ahead of you, be it your career, financial liberation, or anything else, you should hold on to a good cause. Only then you will be strong with a steely resolve with the ability to fight your battles that come your way.”

“There will be only a handful of people to support you, but you will come across plenty of people in your life who will try to run you down and say ‘you are not capable.’ Ignore all those who demotivate you, they are irrelevant. Stay focussed and pursue excellence and always remember to keep on learning forever,” Ashwin said.

Prabu David, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, Rochester Institute of Technology, New York, USA also delivered a speech.

“India had given a lot of importance to education and pursuit of knowledge and the Gurukul system of education was a testimony to this. Several Indians who were born and educated in India have brought laurels in the areas of education and economic growth by marking their stamp of excellence in various spheres the world over. Today the need to hone skills among youth to ensure a successful career had superseded the importance of character development,” David added.

Around 1,601 graduates, 1,434 undergraduates, 149 postgraduates and 18 PhD holders received their degrees and over 20 students were conferred with gold medals for securing top ranks, the college said.

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Ashwin on education, time management

Recalling his days as an engineering student himself, the off-spinner said that he found it hard to balance his education as well as his game but a proper time management helped him. “It was not easy, but looking back, I think what I learnt there and the tough times that I endured has made me what I am today,” he added.

Prabu David, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, Rochester Institute of Technology, New York, USA; Thangam Meganathan, chairperson, Rajalakshmi Institutions and Abhay Meganathan, vice chairman, Rajalakshmi Institutions also participated in the event.