XLRI convocation: Apollo’s Preetha Reddy gets Sir Jehangir Ghandy Medal

Twenty-one students received medals for academic excellence at the 66^th convocation ceremony of XLRI – Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur.

The medals were handed over by Ashis K. Pani, dean of academics at XLRI. Diploma degrees were handed over to 497 students. Father Donald D’Silva, dean of administration and finance at XLRI, presented medals for long service to 27 XLRI employees.

XLRI conferred the Sir Jehangir Ghandy Medal for Industrial and Social Peace on Preetha Reddy, executive vice-chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited.

Accepting the medal from Tata Steel CEO and managing director T.V. Reddy said, “It is an honour to be invited to the convocation of XLRI. In the turbulent two 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 peacemakers and that brings me to today’s heroes.”

Reddy congratulated the graduated students. “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 to graduate from India’s most eminent institute. I congratulate all students, the faculty members who have nurtured and cared for them, families who supported and encouraged them to study hard and to everybody in the ecosystem to see what you’ve done,” she said.

Agility and resilience are key to success, Reddy stressed. “Agility is a mantra that all institutions and workplaces use today. Just as we cannot survive without oxygen, corporates also survive without agility. As an institution that is greatly appreciated and forward-thinking, agility is hardwired into each one of us. It is not DNA that doesn’t exist. It’s a quality that helps you transform in dire circumstances.”

Reddy shared five tips for students — erase inequalities that surround us, think about the environment in every choice we make, make inclusive growth a priority and prosperity and harness the power of partnerships/collaboration using technology.

“The protagonists of today are the graduating students. It is you who will shape tomorrow,” Reddy signed off.