Dear students, today is the results for your higher secondary examinations. Best wishes! Dear parents, please don’t pressurize your children to do what you want them to do, not everybody wants to be a doctor or an engineer. Money is important but it is certainly not the only thing in life. If they are passionate about becoming a photographer or a musician or a historian or an archeologist (the list is long) let them continue to work towards their passion.

Students those who got less marks or could not pass please don’t feel bad or let down. Life is not a race to win. There is always another chance to complete and move on, don’t think that this is the end of life.

Many successful people are in fact high school/college dropouts, who have failed in such so called examinations.

There are many opportunities in humanities, arts, etc., which can make a great career.

United Nations in it’s various agencies like UNEP, UNDP, UNFAO, UNCIEF provides great opportunities for students from a social work background. Check their websites and visit such institutions.

Take up UPSC or TNPSC as a career option too. Specially for girls as it is one of the best ways to empowerment and it also gives you an opportunity to serve the people.

Once you get admitted into your college/university start by going to libraries and make sure you read at least 4 books a month. Due to advancements in technology, the time we spend reading has reduced and we’ve begun to spend a worrying amount of time hooked to the internet. But, lest we forget, that the internet is also an effective tool to start reading and gain valuable knowledge. Reading is the only way to gain knowledge. No knowledge is a waste. All that you read today will help you in some way or another throughout your life and can also go as far as aiding others.

Have a plan of what you want to be in the next five years and start moving towards your goal.

Always keep in mind a few things…

• Don’t do anything which is not productive.
• Stand by justice and equality.
• Trust in God but lock your car.
• Money is not the only thing in life it’s a necessity not a need.
• Plant trees, climb trees, learn to grow vegetables, visit a government hospital (nearest to you), visit a place of worship (which does not represent your religion), visit an orphanage, volunteer to help and so on…
• Don’t worry be happy!

– KARTHIKEYA SIVASENAPATHY