उपराज्यपाल, दिल्ली
Shri Anil Shastri, Chairman, LBSIM
Director of the Institute, Dr. Praveen Gupta
Faculty members, dear students
Ladies & Gentlemen.
I feel privileged to be here today in the hallowed precincts of this esteemed institution – an institution which has its firm foundation in the values and vision of Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri.
One of the greatest sons of Mother India, Shastri Ji went on to become a pragmatic and down-to-earth leader, a fine statesman, an able administrator, and a person of impeccable integrity.
02. Shastri Ji felt the need for a responsive and effective administration during his tenure as the Prime Minister of India. The appointment of an Administrative Reforms Commission to streamline Public Administration bears testimony to this fact. Creation of the Central Vigilance Commission by him to handle corruption, was also another bold step taken to make India a free and powerful nation.
03. His vision of establishing quality institutions to promote good governance by producing a cadre of professional and responsive civil servants, was accomplished when the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, was set up in Mussoorie.
04. Whenever I think of Lal Bahadur Shastri, I am reminded of a story from his early days. As a young boy in school, Shastri ji had to cross a river every day to attend his classes. His family could not afford a boat ride, so he would swim across with his books held above water. This was not just an act of resilience; it was a lesson in determination, discipline, and commitment to learning - values that became the foundation of his life and leadership.
05. साधारण सूती कपड़े पहनने वाले शास्त्री जी, भले ही छोटी कदकाठी के थे, लेकिन उनका व्यक्तित्व विशाल था। सादगी, सरलता, शालीनता और ईमानदारी की जो मिसाल शास्त्री जी ने पेश की, वैसी मिसाल न सिर्फ भारत में, बल्कि पूरी दुनिया में, शायद ही कहीं देखने को मिलती है। मुझे शास्त्री जी के व्यक्तित्व के बारे में कुछ पंक्तियाँ याद आ रही है:
सादगी कोई तालीम नहीं, जो किताबों से हासिल हो,
यह वो संस्कार है, जो किरदार में झलकता है ।
शास्त्री जी थे तो बेहद सौम्य और सरल व्यवहार के, लेकिन जब कभी बात देश की सुरक्षा, संप्रभुता और आत्मनिर्भरता की हुई, तो शास्त्री जी हमेशा अटल, अडिग और दृढ निश्चय रहे। उनकी यह खूबियाँ हमेशा उनके व्यक्तित्व से झलकती थी, जिसे देख कर कोई भी कह सकता है कि,
इंसान इत्र से नहीं, अपने व्यक्तित्व से महकता है।
Friends,
06. Shastri Ji passed away in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan on January 11, 1966, after signing the famous Tashkent Declaration. In order to cherish his ideals and uphold his vision, the Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management was established in the year 1995 at Delhi.
07. Today when LBSIM celebrates its 30th Foundation Day, it is not just a celebration of the establishment of an institution; it is a reaffirmation of the very ideals of Shastri ji that have constantly guided us.
08. These are the same values that lie at the foundation of LBSIM. This institution was built on the principle that education is not just about gaining knowledge but about shaping character, instilling discipline, and nurturing ethical leadership. As I often mention:
डिग्रियाँ तो पढ़ाई के खर्च की रसीदें हैं,
असली ज्ञान वही है, जो व्यवहार दर्शाता है.
09. When this institute was founded, it carried a bold vision - to create not just managers but leaders who uphold integrity and responsibility. Over the years, LBSIM has grown into a premier institution, known for its academic rigor, industry-oriented approach, and strong ethical foundation. Its alumni, spread across the globe, are a testament to this legacy. They are not just successful professionals but responsible individuals making a difference in the world.
Dear Friends,
10. To my mind, we should not be just looking at numbers, rankings, or placements. We have to look at the values and instincts of innovation, collaboration, and social responsibility, when we evaluate an institution of higher learning. I am informed, that this institution has deeply entrenched these values and every student who passes out from here, carries the spirit of Shastri ji - humble yet strong, simple yet visionary.
11. On this Foundation Day, I want to leave you with three key lessons from the life of Lal Bahadur Shastri that we, as an institution and as individuals, must always remember:
1. Simplicity and Integrity Are Strengths, Not Weaknesses
In a world that often values power and prestige, Shastriji showed us that true leadership comes from humility, honesty and an unwavering commitment to principles. Whether in business or life, always stand by your values.
आरंभ हो, अंत न हो...
मन इतना स्वतंत्र भी न हो...
सुख थोड़ा मिले, कोई बात नहीं...
किन्तु मन में कोई षड्यन्त्र न हो
2. Hard Work and Determination Can Overcome Any Obstacle.
Just as he swam across the river to reach his school, we must always find ways to overcome challenges, rather than be deterred by them. Success is not handed to us; it is earned through effort, persistence, and resilience. One is always tested by time in this process and only those, who overcome these challenges, succeed in making a distinguished space for them in this competitive world. Always remember:
वक़्त भी सिखाता है और टीचर भी,
दोनों में फ़र्क सिर्फ इतना है, कि टीचर सिखा कर इम्तिहान लेता है, और वक़्त इम्तिहान लेकर सिखाता है।
3. Service to Society Is the Highest Calling
12. Shastri ji’s famous slogan, “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan,” was not just about soldiers and farmers - it was about the spirit of selfless service. As future leaders, we must ask ourselves: How can we give back to society? How can we lead with empathy? How can we use our education for the greater good? It is critical that we remain empathetic to the people around us and fully utilize our learning for the betterment of society at large. It is rightly said:
होंगी तुम्हारे पास ज़माने भर की डिग्रियां,
छलकती आँखों को ना पढ़ पाए, तो अनपढ़ हो तुम।
13. Today is not just a day to celebrate the past; it is a day to recommit ourselves to the future. Each one present here -whether faculty, student, or alumni - has a role to play in upholding the legacy of LBSIM. I exhort all of you to:
• Strive for excellence in academics and research
• Uphold ethical leadership in business and governance
• Contribute to nation-building and societal development
14. In the words of Lal Bahadur Shastri, “Preservation of freedom is not the task of soldiers alone. The whole nation has to be strong.”
15. So, let us be strong - not just in intellect but in character, take pride in being a part of your institution, and ensure that this institution continues to be a beacon of knowledge, integrity, and leadership for generations to come. Each one of you have a greater responsibility of taking forward the legacy of Shastri Ji and contribute in nation building.
मुबारक हो सीढ़ियाँ उन्हें, जिन्हें छत पर जाना है...
आसमां से आगे हैं मंजिल मेरी,
मुझे रास्ता खुद बनाना है।
Thank you, and Jai Hind!