India to be world’s largest economy by 2060, says Lord Karan Bilimoria at HPS centenary investiture ceremony

HYDERABAD: What did Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Chancellor of the University of Birmingham Lord Karan Bilimoria talk about first when they met recently? They spoke about their alma mater, the prestigious Hyderabad Public School, which marked its Centenary this year.

Lord Karan Bilimoria expressed his privilege and delight to be the guest of honour at his own school and to be able to launch a leadership programme called 'LEADER' at HPS, Begumpet, while addressing the Centenary Investiture Ceremony on Friday.

Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari PVSM AVSM VM ADC, attended as the Chief Guest. His wife, Neetha Chaudhari was also present.

 Addressing the students, the Air Chief Marshal said, “The world needs leaders who are compassionate, ethical, and visionary. Leadership is a journey of continuous learning and growth. Never stop seeking knowledge, developing new skills, and refining your leadership abilities.”

Lord Karan Bilimoria expressed his delight that the Hyderabad Public School, founded in 1923 by VII Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan, had produced leader after leader.

He remembered being taught in school that it was always better to fail at doing the right thing than to succeed at doing the wrong thing. He said that he had the happiest years in school and that he remembered the time spent in sports and extracurricular activities as much as the time spent in the classrooms. He reminded students to never take these things for granted because they formed the foundation, and the all-around education provided at HPS only created world-class leaders.

Lord Karan Bilimoria said, "India, which is now the fifth largest economy, will have a GDP of $ 32 trillion and will be the second largest economy. India will be the world's largest economy by 2060. Hyderabad Public School, Hyderabad, and India are all going places, so let the eagle soar high."

The HPS on Friday held its annual investiture ceremony to recognise and honour exceptional student leaders on Friday. The ceremony holds great significance as it instills a sense of leadership and accountability among the student body.

R Raghuram Reddy, vice-chairman of the HPS board of governors, president of HPS Society Gusti Noria, British Deputy High Commissioner Gareth Wynn Owen and a distinguished HPS alumnus, Lord Karan Bilimoria, Member of the House of Lords, as the Guest of Honour.

During the ceremony, the school bestowed various leadership positions on outstanding students, including the student council, house captains, prefects, and other important responsibilities These positions enable students to set a good example, represent their peers, and contribute constructively to the school community.

The Air Chief Marshal inspected student troops of 152 NCC Cadets from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and girls wings before walking through the corridor of the prefects troop and the Colour Party.

The investiture ceremony at the HPS goes beyond the mere conferring of titles; as it was an opportunity to inspire and nurture the future leaders of society. The head boy and head girl, shared their experiences and gratitude to the teachers, parents, and management. The ceremony served as an opportunity to recognise and appreciate the students' achievements, abilities, contributions, and devotion to the school, therefore pushing them to continue to excel and raise the bar for themselves.

Wishing students, the best for their leadership journey, Lord Bilimoria said, “As an alumnus of this esteemed institution, I learned that true leadership lies in empowering others, inspiring collective action, and striving for positive change. It is our duty to lead with integrity, empathy, and a vision that transcends individual ambitions. Guided by the values instilled within us during our time at this remarkable school you can shape a brighter and more inclusive society wherever you go.

"Our investiture ceremony is a celebration of leadership, character, and the limitless potential of our students. This ceremony encourages and empowers the students to continue making a positive impact within our school and beyond. We are privileged to have Air Chief Marshal and Lord Karan Bilimoria as the guests for our Investiture Ceremony. Their remarkable achievements and commitment to leadership align perfectly with the values we strive to instill in our students. We believe that their presence will inspire them to reach for the skies, " said Dr. Skand Bali, Principal of The HPS.

As HPS celebrated its 100-year imperial heritage, it reaffirmed its dedication to nurturing young minds, instilling strong values, and fostering leadership traits. The investiture ceremony was also marked by the launch of the leadership program LEADER that serves as a reminder of the school's mission of paving the way for future leaders.