Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin said Hindi is not the national language of India but an official language. He made this comment during the convocation ceremony of Rajalakshmi Engineering College near Chennai on January 9, 2025.
Ashwin asked students which language they preferred for his speech. While Tamil received overwhelming support and some chose English, no one selected Hindi.
“Hindi — no response. I thought I will say it (Hindi) is not our national language, but an official language,” Ashwin said.
Ashwin encouraged students to pursue excellence and continue learning even after graduation. “Whatever lies ahead of you, be it your career, financial freedom, or anything else, you should hold on to a good cause. Only then will you have the strength to face life’s challenges,” he said.
He also advised students to ignore negativity and focus on their goals. “Remain focused, pursue excellence, and always remember to keep learning,” he added.
Sharing his own struggles, Ashwin said it was tough to balance education and cricket during his student days. “Proper time management helped me… it was not easy, but the lessons I learned during tough times shaped who I am today,” he said.
The convocation marked the 23rd Graduation Day of Rajalakshmi Engineering College, where 1,601 students, including PhD scholars, received their degrees. The event was presided over by Dr. (Mrs.) Thangam Meganathan, Chairperson of Rajalakshmi Institutions, and Vice Chairman Abhay Meganathan.
The chief guest, Prabu David, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Rochester Institute of Technology, New York, USA, congratulated the graduates and shared his thoughts on the importance of education.
This inspiring event left students motivated to aim higher in their personal and professional journeys.
