A Xavierite's Journey: Celebrating 25 Years of Values, Growth, and Gratitude

I can’t believe it’s been 25 years since I attended St. Xavier’s school. While I value all the schools that shaped me, Xavier’s holds a special place for teaching me lessons beyond books—character, resilience, and service.

Farewell Message

I received this farewell message just before my board exams, and honestly, I didn’t grasp its depth back then. Reading it now, I realize how far I am from becoming the person it inspires me to be—there’s still so much to do. It’s late, but it’s comforting to revisit its themes: education, resilience, service, and finding meaning in struggles.

All-Round Education and Character Formation

At St. Xavier’s, education was not just about books but about becoming a good human being. The school taught students to be kind, compassionate, and upright while striving for excellence in everything they did.

Transition and Looking Ahead

This significant moment leaves behind years of memories and disappears into the unknown. The world ahead isn’t perfect, but it’s yours to shape. Please take what you’ve learned here and make it count.

Preparation for Challenges

You’ve been given the tools to handle what’s coming, knowledge to think, values to guide you, and faith to keep you steady. Use them well in the next phase of your journey.

Struggle and Nobility

Not every battle will be won, and that’s part of life. What truly matters is the growth that comes from facing challenges head-on. It’s in those moments that you’ll find strength and purpose.

Guidance and Support

The school’s support will always be with you, even as you leave. Stay faithful to what you’ve learned and trust you’re ready for what’s ahead.

Service and Peaceful Living

Above all, be kind. Find joy in helping others, live peacefully, and carry the Xavierite spirit wherever you go.

My Schooling Days

Switching from a coed school to an all-boys school like St. Xavier’s was like being thrown into a completely different world. Everything was new—subjects, classmates, and the culture. I only had two years to figure it out while juggling the pressure of board exams. It wasn’t easy trying to fit in. Most days, I didn’t. I sat on the front bench, hoping to avoid conversations. My grades, even in my favorite subject, math, were a mess, and I rarely made the playing five in basketball. I wasn’t sure if I was making friends or just trying to survive.

Those days were tough, but they broke the shell I’d lived in for so long. My previous school had been disciplined and almost predictable, but Xavier’s threw me into situations where I had to learn and adapt. It wasn’t comfortable, but it gave me a glimpse of the real world outside my hometown. In many ways, it prepared me for the years ahead without realizing it.

But it wasn’t all struggles. I represented the school in sports I never thought I’d try—basketball, swimming, handball, cricket, and even baseball. I wasn’t great at all, but it taught me so much. Slowly, I started making my presence felt and even earned the respect of my teachers and our principal, Father Jose Philip—a person who deserves his own story someday.

And then there were the friendships. Some of those friends I made back then are still with me through all the ups and downs. Being part of St. Xavier’s legacy isn’t just about the struggles or the achievements—it’s about the memories and the people who shaped those years. It wasn’t perfect, but it was unforgettable.

From Struggles to Strength: A Farewell Message Revisited

Struggles as the Foundation of Growth

When I first read the farewell message, I didn’t realise how much it would align with my life. Struggles have genuinely been a constant. I didn’t do well in senior secondary school and failed twice at Chartered Accountancy. I couldn’t get into the universities I aspired to for my Master’s, and even my professional career started with confusion about where my interests lay. Later, my attempts to get into top MBA programs also failed twice. At the time, I felt like I was collecting failures rather than experiences, and it was hard not to question my worth.

Resilience and Perseverance

There were so many times I felt like giving up. Failing at Chartered Accountancy twice, missing out on the universities I dreamed of, and even struggling to figure out what I wanted to do in my early career made me question myself. But something inside me kept pushing forward. It wasn’t resilience in the polished sense; it was more like stubbornness to keep trying, even when I wasn’t sure what I was working toward. Each failure left its mark, but it also gave me the strength to pick myself up and try again.

Transformation and Gratitude

Looking back, I realise my journey has been less about big wins and more about finding meaning in the small, steady steps. The recognition I get today for my work is a bonus, but it’s not the goal. What matters most to me is knowing I’ve done my job with honesty and integrity. Then there’s my family—my wife, who has been my partner through every high and low, and my daughter, who lights up my world daily. They remind me that life isn’t just about chasing success; it’s about the love, trust, and joy we build along the way.

Family and Legacy

I also feel a deep sense of gratitude for my family: my wife, who supports and inspires me, and my beautiful daughter, who brings me joy every single day. In our culture, it’s often said that having a daughter is a blessing tied to your deeds, and I feel that deeply. They remind me that life isn’t measured by achievements alone but by the love and meaning we build along the way.

Full Circle

Revisiting the farewell message now, I see how much it reflects my journey. It spoke of struggles, service, and building a meaningful life, and while I’ve taken some time to grasp it, those words have stayed with me. Celebrating 25 years since school is a moment to reflect on how far we’ve all come—and a reminder that the journey isn’t over. There’s still much to do, but seeing how far the road has taken me is nice.

Conclusion

Tomorrow, as we celebrate the silver jubilee of our batch, I can’t help but hope for the day we celebrate the golden jubilee together, too. This week has been nothing short of magical meetings. So many of my batchmates at various events have felt like picking up conversations right where we left them, no matter how many years have passed. Each day has been exciting, but my heart is set on the celebration tomorrow.

As I look back on these 25 years, I realize that the journey isn’t just about personal milestones—it’s about staying true to the values that St. Xavier’s instilled in us. I hope to keep learning, growing, and living in a way that reflects the integrity and pride of being a Xavierite. This legacy is a reminder of who we are and what we represent, and I’ll do my best to ensure it’s something we can all continue to be proud of. Here’s to the friendships we’ve cherished, the lessons we’ve carried, and the excitement of celebrating this milestone together.