formal farewell speech

I stand today for the last time before you as a student and the head-boy of the Hyderabad Public School with a message of leave-taking and farewell, and to share a few thoughts with you, my fellow eagles. It is said "Parting is such sweet sorrow." For me the sweet part is joining New York University, and the sorrow - the good-byes to you all, and our principal, my teachers, the service staff, and of course, leaving this august institution.

Before I bid you all good-bye, and share a few thoughts about our school and express my gratitude, I would like to quote from a song by Nickelback…


“My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day’s a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned
Leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less travelled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

Going against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the price is always worth the fight
Every second counts cause there's no second try
So live it like you're never living twice
Don't take the free ride in your whole life …”


I look at our school, as a great school, with a wonderful history, magnificent traditions, proud of its past, and with a very bright future. Our school teaches us to mutually trust and respect each other, achieve individual aspirations and getting on in life with social compassion and helping others.

Thank you HPS for showing us the difference between the easy way and the right way,

Thank you for appreciating us for who we are,

Thank you teachers for being more a friend than just a conventional teacher,

Thank you for teaching us to respect every person and the positions they hold,

Thank you for teaching us how to live our own lives instead of telling us how to live our lives,

Thank you for teaching us to rejoice simple joys and great triumphs with the same zest and zeal,

Thank you for letting us draw our own lines of freedom and teaching us to stand up for our actions and beliefs,

Thank you for giving us our space and freedom,

Thank you for teaching us the value for discipline,

Thank you for fostering our transition from boys to men,

Thank you for being our family,

Thank you for giving us umpteen opportunities to discover ourselves,

Thank you for teaching us humility in success, courage in failure,

Thank you for making every moment in this palace an ever-lasting memory,

Thank you for teaching us how to lead and be lead,

Thank you for helping us be somebody rather than anybody.

I thank you for the many opportunities given to me to be of service as the head-boy. I immensely benefitted from my role and duties and trust that in my work you found some things worthwhile. I will strive to over-come the shortcomings as has been instilled in all of us by our school.

Once again thank you HPS… and let me end with these beautiful lines written by Tom Petty…


“You and I will meet again,
when we're least expecting it,
One day in some far off place,
I will recognize your face,
I won't say goodbye my friend,
for you and I will meet again.”