‘Don’t bite the hand that feeds’

He told the graduating class that teenage years are associated with rebellion and this is a natural by product of the process of learning.

Challenging parents and authority is a natural part of life but emphasised it should never be done disrespectfully and without proper basis.

“Without roots we are unable to grow branches, biting the hand that feeds unnecessarily is unreasonable,” he warned.

On the topic of politics he reminded his audience to pick leaders in government and otherwise, who are responsible and have firm stances on issues. He cautioned them not to be sucked into the common political gimmickry of the day. Dookeeram said that if our country is to prosper in the future, “we must trust your generation not only to pick the correct representation but also to become honest leaders”.

Advising students not to limit themselves, he said while all is pushed from an early stage into specific directions, be it science, business or arts, a healthy overall appreciation of all areas is the true marker of someone who is well-learned.

“ You must allow yourself the opportunity to learn. Learning is a self- directed process. The initiative is yours to read research and take things further. If your teacher is delinquent, it is no excuse. While the process may be more difficult, it is unreasonable to toy with the opportunity to learn because of someone else,” Dookeeram advised.

He urged all parents and graduates to take a keen interest in encouraging diligence. He reminded the graduates that as young people coming from a small country it is easy for them to lose their identity in an attempt to fit into a quickly globalising society.

Dookeeram advised the graduates to be careful in the selection of their friends, while at the same time interacting with everyone.