Date:11/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/11/stories/2009011158610200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

“Lead by example”

Special Correspondent

— PHOTO: S. THANTHONI

AWARD: A student receives his certificate from M. Annadurai, Project Director, Chandrayaan-1 at the Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering in Chennai on Saturday.

CHENNAI: Cultivate team spirit, be focussed on higher values and lead a team by example, Mylsamy Annadurai, project director of India’s Moon mission, Chandrayaan-1, told a gathering of college students on Saturday.

Delivering the graduation day address at Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering here, he said: “Swami Vivekananda and poet Bharathiyar lived for less than 40 years. Life is not about counting days from womb to grave but making an imprint for the future and making the world feel better.”

Recalling his experience with Moon mission he said the success of Chandrayaan-1 had demonstrated that India could lead a team of technical and scientific experts from internationally reputed organisations to realise an ambitious mission.

Around 500 students received their post graduate and undergraduate degrees at the function. R. Ramachandran, the College Principal, said 18 students have won university ranks, including three first ranks.

A.C. Muthiah, industrialist and Chairman of the Governing Council of the College, said this was the first time the college, affiliated to Anna University, was holding its graduation day.