Passion Over Expectation: Jain University’s Convocation Celebrates Graduates and Honors Cricketer B.K. Venkatesh Prasad
Bengaluru, 19 November, 2025 – In a powerful celebration of academic achievement and future promise, Jain (Deemed-to-be University) held its 15th Annual Convocation today, where a resonant message for the graduating class emerged: forge your own path with passion and purpose. The ceremony was distinguished by the conferral of a Doctor Honoris Causa upon former Indian cricketer Dr. B.K. Venkatesh Prasad, whose keynote address set the tone for the day.
A total of 30,439 degrees were awarded to the Class of 2025, a cohort that included 127 gold medalists and 360 rank holders across diverse disciplines. The university also highlighted its growing research footprint, conferring 92 PhDs, a milestone from a doctoral programme that now boasts 1,335 registered scholars since its inception in 2010.
A Charge to Follow Inner Fire
The newly honoured Dr. B.K. Venkatesh Prasad, drawing from his illustrious career on the cricket field, delivered a compelling address that moved beyond conventional success metrics. He urged the graduates to look inward for guidance in their professional and personal lives.
“What truly matters is following your passion, because that inner drive, your sense of purpose is irreplaceable,” Dr. Prasad stated. Emphasizing the need for authenticity in an era of rapidly shifting trends, he advised, “Whether it’s engineering, AI, or any other path, let your passion, not trends, guide your journey.”
He left the students with a memorable maxim to carry forward: “Don’t chase what the world expects, chase what lights you up, and success will follow.”
Embracing Failure and Cultivating Warmth
Echoing the theme of holistic success, other dignitaries offered their wisdom, focusing on resilience and human connection. Dr. Chenraj Roychand, Chancellor of JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), reframed the concept of failure, encouraging graduates to see it not as a setback but as a essential teacher.
“What I understand is that failure often creates fear, but success and failure are both opportunities,” Dr. Roychand said. “I can assure you that failure is a part of the journey, it is a part of success itself. Failure will teach you many things that success cannot. So, embrace failures in life and embrace uncertainties.”
He bolstered his message with a call for perseverance: “Stay strong, keep moving, and do not give up. With perseverance, consistency, hope, and intent, you will achieve the goals you aspire.”
T.K. Seetharam, Executive Director of Kalyan Jewellers, shifted the focus to character, highlighting the profound impact of personal warmth and kindness. “There are certain virtues and characteristics that help each one of us become better human beings. Among them, the most important quality to cultivate is warmth,” he remarked. “If you are able to bring happiness to others, it will always be the greatest thing you can offer.”
Addressing the graduates directly, he applauded them as “extremely honoured, lucky and talented individuals, prepared for the competitive world outside.”
A Milestone of Academic Excellence
The convocation served as a formal recognition of the students’ hard work and the university’s academic rigor. Dr. Jitendra Kumar Mishra, Vice-Chancellor (I/c) and Registrar, presented the scale of the graduation, noting that the awarding of over 30,000 degrees and the robust growth of the PhD program “reflected the institution’s sustained progress and its strengthening position in the field of research.”
As the new graduates step out into a dynamic world, the resounding advice from the podium was clear: their journey ahead will be uniquely their own. Armed with their degrees, and guided by the wisdom to pursue what ignites their spirit, embrace lessons from setbacks, and contribute positively to the world, the Class of 2025 is poised to define success on their own terms.
