Commencement

Today was special. I graduated from Harvard. And the commencement celebrations were breathtaking.

For one- the weather held out, the heavy downpour last night ensured that the day was cool which was absolutely wonderful. Secondly, the mix of tradition with modernity is something that Harvard manages with surprising ease. A speech in Latin that celebrated life in Harvard over the last four years, including the sporting triumphs of last year in Boston, namely the Red Sox win and the Patriots win, juxtaposed the expression of recent sporting victories in a language that is quintessentially archaic and almost extinct. The pomp of the regalia, the grandeur of the Yard, the great observance of tradition in that the Sheriff of the County of Middlesex both opens finally adjourns the meeting- are all indications about the institution's continuous desire to stay abreast and ahead of times but keep the hallowed traditions alive. Third- I was amazed by the efficiency of the entire process- considering that there were about 6000 of us who graduated, the ceremonies at the Yard took a little over two hours and were executed with clockwork precision. The mood itself was always festive and at no point did anyone feel that there was a draconian hand working to keep things moving along, but things did move at a surprisingly easy and efficient pace.

There were lots and lots of pictures that were clicked and it will probably take some time to sink in. But today, is a day of joy and celebration- of being able to complete studies at finest institutions in the world and also committing oneself once again to a life of continuous learning and quest for excellence for that is what the spirit of Harvard is all about- isnt it!