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.

All these qualities of entrepreneurship with clarity of thought and action and the right focus of where the future of India lies will make India one of the most envied countries of the world. You have to motivate yourself. Self-motivation is the best tool that you can have. Of all the communication you do, none is more important than how you talk to yourself. Your internal dialogue has more to do with your success in life than any other factor. I will give you a personal example. When I was a young engineer, I was put in charge of sales of one of the products of the company. This was my first experience in sales. A big target was given to me. I was of course nervous. Than I spoke to myself, as what should I be doing to achieve this target? Because if I failed it would be subscribed to the fact that I am a girl, and girl engineers cannot sell. This would be detrimental to the future of other girls who would want to take engineering as their vocation. Friends remember I am speaking of 4 decades ago, when it was unheard that women should be selling engineering products. Well I broke down my target into small monthly quantities. And I told myself; if I achieve my monthly quota I would celebrate. Those discussions with self made it possible. And celebrate every month I did. Maybe with a cup of tea or a wada pav with friends. But I told them that I had achieved my self-set goal and I am celebrating. You see I enjoyed the process of success more than the success itself.

Remember friends Five years from now you will be the same person you are today, except for the people you meet, the situations you encounter. The relations that you built, the joys that you pick up on the way and the thoughts that you have thought. Look unto yourself. The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm.

Let me conclude by reminding you about the Goldman and Sachs predictions for 2050. It is predicted that, along with China and USA, will be the three top economies of the world. Going further, I can confidently predict that if India plays its cards right, by 2050, it can become the number one innovation, entrepreneurial center of the world.

Finally, my friends let me assure you that it is a great time to be an Indian. Even more, it is a great time to be in India. Enjoy being a part of the action in this and of great past and even great future.

My favourite belief that has got me where I have is quoted below.

Thank you for having patiently listening to me, I wish all of you good luck and great life ahead.

Good Bye

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