The month The month of June always brings with it a quiet wave of nostalgia.
As a young school student at St. Joseph’s High School, Pashan in Pune, June marked the start of a new academic year. The last few days of May would always be tinged with a mix of emotions—a hint of anxiety about new textbooks and tougher curriculum, the joy of reuniting with old friends, the excitement of meeting new ones, and, of course, that unforgettable smell of freshly printed books and notebooks. It was a season of fresh starts, sharpened pencils, and wide-eyed curiosity.
Today, decades later, I find myself on the other side of that experience—no longer the student waiting to be inspired, but someone entrusted with inspiring thousands of students, as I lead Symbiosis International (Deemed University)—one of India’s largest and most diverse educational institutions.
Yet, the month of June still brings me that same sense of anticipation and joy. It’s when new batches of students arrive across our many campuses—from law and management to health sciences, media, design, engineering, computer science, liberal arts, and more. Each institute conducts its own induction ceremony, and I have the honour of addressing these bright young minds stepping into a new chapter of their lives.
Every time I walk up to that podium, I pause and ask myself: What message should I share with them? What should they carry forward from their very first day at Symbiosis?
And the answer is always clear.
These students are not just beginning their academic journeys—they are beginning a phase of life that will shape their careers, their identities, and even the future of their families. I tell them this is the time to work hard—not only to land a good job, but to become ethical, responsible citizens who will make meaningful contributions to society.
I also remind them that at Symbiosis, they are not alone. They will walk these corridors with students from every corner of India and from over 85 countries around the world. And it is this incredible diversity that will shape their personality, their worldview, and their sense of belonging.
In a world that is increasingly divided—by borders, ideologies, conflicts, and prejudices—it is crucial for the youth to learn to respect and understand other cultures. To look beyond differences and build bridges of empathy and dialogue.
This is precisely what Symbiosis stands for.
Our very name means living together, and our guiding motto, drawn from the Upanishads, is the timeless wisdom of:
“वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम्” Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – The World is One Family
The full verse reminds us:
“Ayam nijah paro veti, ganana laghuchetasam |
Udara charitanam tu vasudhaiva kutumbakam ||”
“This is mine, that is yours”—such is the thinking of the narrow-minded.
But those with noble hearts believe that the entire world is one family.”
This isn’t just philosophy. It is our lived practice at Symbiosis—a university built on the foundations of international understanding and inclusivity, started with the simple goal of helping foreign students feel at home in India.
To every student entering Symbiosis this June, my message is this:
Yes, study hard. Yes, aim high. But also, open your heart.
Make friends with those who are different from you. Learn from cultures unfamiliar to you. Carry the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam into every classroom, hostel, and friendship.
Because in embracing this diversity, you don’t just become a better student.
You become a better human being.
Welcome to Symbiosis. Welcome home.