Speaking at Vishnu Boys' Hindu College Graduation

“What I Told the Vishnu Boys Graduating Class of 2025”

This morning, I had the privilege of addressing the 2025 graduating class of Vishnu Boys’ Hindu College. I didn’t bring clichés or recycled quotes. I brought the truth.

You’ve crossed one stage today. The next one doesn’t come with a timetable or school uniform. It’s called real life — and it’s messy, unpredictable, and often unforgiving.

Here’s what I told them:

Protect your body. Eat clean. Stay hydrated. Stretch. Pray. Be kind to your knees — you’ll miss them when the stairs start to win.

Don’t panic if you don’t know what’s next. That’s normal. Some of the best people I know failed, restarted, and figured it out along the way.

Pay attention to how people treat you when you have nothing to offer. And how you treat people when you think you can benefit.

Do something that makes you uncomfortable (not dangerous, just uncomfortable). Don’t coast. Try. Speak clearly. People who mumble get passed over.

Take pictures of ordinary days. One day, you’ll realise those were the good ones.

Don’t chase likes. Don’t waste people’s hearts. Don’t let anyone waste yours. You don’t need to be loud to lead or famous to be respected , just consistent.

Know your parents. Be decent to your siblings. They’re not perfect, but one day, they’re all you might have.

Take care of your money. Save early. If you can’t afford it twice, don’t buy it once. And read the fine print , in contracts and in people.

Routine beats motivation. Show up. Do the work. Boring is part of success.

Be kind. Not soft , kind. Say sorry when you're wrong. Let go of people who don't walk with you anymore. No bitterness. Just growth.

Respect those who support you quietly. They’re rare.

You will fail. That’s fine. What matters is whether you get up. Failing isn’t fatal — not acting is.

And above all: treat people with respect when no one’s watching. That’s who you really are.

This advice might not hit you now. Save it anyway. Ten years from now, you’ll know why it mattered.

Your voice, your choices, and your values will shape the future of this country. Maybe even the one I retire in , alongside my beautiful Daram Putni.

One final truth: the world owes you nothing. But that means you have everything to earn. And that puts you ahead of most.

Congrats again, Vishnu Boys. Make it count.

Rushton Paray