“India’s Covid Fightback has become a learning lesson in overseas Universities”, says Dr. Preetha Reddy, Apollo Hospitals: XLRI 66th Annual Convocation

Jamshedpur: Xavier School of Management, one of India’s oldest and primer B-Schools, celebrated its 66th Annual Convocation on 23rd April, 2022 in the Tata Auditorium, XLRI Jamshedpur.

XLRI conferred the prestigious ‘Sir Jehangir Ghandy Medal for Industrial and Social Peace’ to Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice-Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited.

The 66th Annual Convocation Event started off with the Academic Procession followed by the Director, Fr. Paul Fernandes, SJ.’s report followed by the Chairman, Mr. TV Narendran, CEO & MD, Tata Steel speech. He also presented the Sir Jehangir Ghandy Medal to Dr. Preetha Reddy, the Chief Guest & Convocation Speaker. Fr. Donald D’Silva, SJ, Dean – Administration & Finance, XLRI presented the Medals for Long Service to around 27 XLRI employees. The event then witnessed the presentation of Medals for Academic Excellence by Dr. Ashis K Pani, Dean – Academics, XLRI to 21 students. The event was then followed by the distribution of Diploma Degrees to the 497 graduating students.

Fr. Paul Fernandes. S.J., Director, XLRI, congratulated the graduating students and said, “XLRI started with the dream to change the face of the earth in 1948. We thank our Chairman for all his services and constant support for XLRI to rise higher. We thank Dr. Preetha Reddy for accepting our Sir Jehangir Ghandy Medal for social and industrial peace. My dear students, you will be known for your service to humanity so someday I hope we will be able to honor you for your service to humanity.”

Mr. TV Narendran, CEO & MD, Tata Steel & Chairman, XLRI addressed the crowd stating, “The last 2 years have given us a lot of time to reflect on what’s happening around us, exposed us to vulnerabilities and how we dealt with things happening around us. We fool ourselves saying that we are strong, developed and advanced. A virus as small as this had such a big impact. The virus demonstrated that we can find solutions to problems, the way the world fought together and the way people came together to find solutions is incredible. The last 2 years has accelerated us to the future & made us more inclusive. Local issues become global and global issues impact us locally. India is a potential source but also a potential market.”

“XLRI is an institute which talks of being there for greater good. As you experience challenges and vulnerabilities, you need to see in which way you can help the community at large. It could be the time you spend in understanding circumstances and accordingly put forward your contributions. There’s a lot of challenge but a lot of opportunity too”, he added.

Accepting the medal from the Chairman, Dr. Reddy said, “It is an honor and I thank you for inviting me to the 66th Annual Convocation of XLRI. In the turbulent 2 years, a beacon of hope was provided by healthcare and I believe that this award is for unsung heroes in this sector. If Covid-19 was a war then these people were truly peace makers and that brings me to today’s heroes.

She also congratulated the students saying, “Today is a very special day in your life it might happen once or twice or four times but each time it’s very special and to graduate from India’s most eminent institute I congratulate to all students, faculties to nurture and care, families who supported and encouraged to study hard and to everybody in the ecosystem to see what you’ve done.”

She also mentioned that. “Anxiety in the healthcare industry over the last 2 years and a country like ours has coped up with Covid so well that it is now becoming a lesson for universities abroad (Harvard & Boston). I have myself taken a session & talked about India fighting covid and I’m proud to be an Indian. How sustainable we can be, we showed the world. I am proud to be an Indian.”

She concluded by saying, “I am so happy to be with all of you. The protagonists of today are the graduating students. It is you who will shape tomorrow. You will be an unstoppable force.”