Convocation Address of Padmashree Lila Poonawalla; Chief Guest for the 8^th Convocation of EDI's Post Graduate Programmes held on 29^th September 2006.

Respected President Mr. V. P. Shetty, Director Dr. Dinesh Awasthi, members of the governing council and other dignitaries on the dais, faculty members in audience, parents, ladies and gentlemen and of course our young students.

“It is indeed a special privilege and an honour to have been invited, by none other than President of EDI, Shri V. P. Shetty, to deliver the 8th Convocation Address at the prestigious Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India.

Let me begin by extending my wholehearted congratulations and my very best wishes to the young graduate entrepreneurs. You are going to enter a new exciting world. You will see a sea change in the economic, political, technological environment the world over and especially in India. There are extraordinary opportunities for those who are prepared to face the challenge of change. Indeed, only those of us will survive and succeed, who will be able to anticipate the change and also exploit the change. And those who do this will one-day lead the change. All of you should have the ambition of leading the change and make things happen on our own terms as far as India is concerned.

Ours is a country which has a hoary history and tradition of most outstanding achievements in the field of knowledge and that too centuries ago. India has a great heritage in ancient knowledge offered in condensed form in ancient languages like Sanskrit. This traditional knowledge reflects ancient Indian ethos in religion, philosophy, mathematics, science, art and culture in a variety of ways. This glorious tradition can be a strong source of inspiration for all Indians for internalising and strengthening commitment to implement the new knowledge initiative. Recognition and awareness of strength in our glorious past will dispel any inferiority complex and generate confidence and collective self-esteem to drive our nation forward.

What is needed is not merely a restructuring, a reconstruction, a reformation or review, but a “revolution” to create new concepts for the future. To try to bring about change within the existing framework would be futile. A university or an Institute should not become merely “learning” or “teaching” medium, but a center where new ideas commensurate with the changing times, are generated. And I believe EDI is one such Institute. An Institute, which trains young minds to create a new brand for India. India as a land of Ideas and innovation.

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