S Somanath, the former chairman of ISRO, gave IIM-A’s graduating students a straightforward lesson on Saturday: read carefully, look for mentors, study diligently, and maintain your composure. “Read a lot of books. “Whenever you have the chance, read as much as you can in every field and area you encounter. This will undoubtedly lead to a happy and fulfilling life,” Somanath stated during his convocation speech at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A). “My early reading habits are the only thing that have shaped who I am.”
He talked about the transformational potential of education while sharing lessons from his own experience, which took him from growing up in a village to managing India’s space program. “Aside from the professors, I had never seen a government employee in my life. Examine the power of reading, then. That makes it possible for you to view the wider picture, and it still does.
He emphasized the value of teamwork over intelligence. “Learn to work as a team. You can go extremely far and fast by yourself, but you can go much farther with other people. And I have seen firsthand how ingenuity by itself can not go you very far.
“The rate of knowledge creation and the technological advancements that are taking place are too fast now,” he continued, warning of the unrelenting speed of technological change. Furthermore, humans are unable to comprehend or address the rate of growth.
“The first step in becoming a leader is to become a follower or (find) a mentor…someone who will be able to guide you help you… identify that mentor and stick to him for sufficiently long time,” he advised the kids.
Somanath advised students to take chances and recognise the right moment. “Take risks in life and this only way that you can really break barriers. Prepare well for opportunities. Opportunities will definitely knock on your door but then if you are waiting for it many a time you won’t even notice it.”
He also emphasized the importance of detachment and humility. “You have to stay unattached in the end.”
“Even today, though we are doing similar work, the connection between research organization, academia, and industry is still a distant dream,” Somanath said, advocating for closer ties between academia, research, and industry. He went on to say that if India is to develop into “a very powerful country in the future,” this connection is crucial.
He touched on India’s intellectual heritage, saying, “India has always been a great nation contributing to the global understanding of the universe.” He highlighted India’s early advancements in astronomy, mathematics, and cosmology by citing ancient works like the Surya Siddhanta and Mahasalila.
Somanath emphasized to the pupils the need of cultivating principled leadership. “You must learn to be a good follower if you want to be a great leader and have an impact in everything you do.”
He concluded with a strong call to action: “We must keep innovating and working together to harness our nation’s potential. Every setback demonstrates the ability to overcome obstacles and achieve greater success.
