Received my earned MTech Degree at MRIIRS yesterday!
There was no concept of a convocation in St Stephens for BSc (Hons) 1979 or MSc 1981 or MBA 1983. My PhD 2019 convocation in 2020 turned virtual thanks to Covid.
So Manav Rachna’s vibrant convocation ceremony was my first convocation ceremony. I have enjoyed my daughters’ convocation – but this one was ‘my’ first ceremony!
The day of my first convocation was more than just a milestone—it was a celebration of hard work, resilience, and dreams turned into reality. As I donned the cap and gown, I felt a mix of pride, gratitude, and nostalgia. The journey to this point was far from easy, filled with sleepless nights, endless assignments, and moments of self-doubt. Yet, standing there, surrounded by my peers, mentors, and loved ones, it all felt worth it.
The ceremony was a blend of tradition and joy. The sight of smiling faces, and the collective energy in the hall made the atmosphere electric. Walking up to the stage to receive my certificate was surreal — time seemed to pause for a moment.
But the most memorable part of the day was sharing it with those who supported me through thick and thin. Seeing their faces light up with pride reminded me that this achievement wasn’t mine alone—it belonged to everyone who stood by me.
A special thanks to Prof Umesh Dutta, Prof Passi, Prof Gita Nijhawan…and all the fantastic faculty at MRIIRS who guided me on the journey. A special thanks to my family as well for standing by me and tolerating my eccentricity of adding a MTech degree to my academic profile at 64! And a special thanks to my seniors at Applied Materials in enabling me in the company’s continuous learning program for the same.
As I stepped off the dais, the weight of the degree in my hands, I realized that this wasn’t the end—it was the beginning of a new chapter. At 65, it was a reminder to dream big, stay determined, and always cherish the journey.
Ending with a quote and the Convocation Brief!
