HYDERABAD, AUGUST 04, 2026:Â A powerful message of self-improvement, ethical leadership, and responsible use of technology marked the Graduation Day celebrations of the Hyderabad Institute of Technology and Management (HITAM), where former CBI Joint Director and former Additional Director General of Police, Maharashtra, Sri V. V. Lakshminarayana, urged graduates to focus on becoming better versions of themselves rather than competing with Artificial Intelligence.
The Graduation Day Ceremony for the Batch of 2026, held at Tara Convention, Gowdavelly, was part of HITAM’s celebrations marking 25 Years of Excellence in Engineering Education. The event witnessed the graduation of students in the presence of their parents, faculty members, academic leaders, and distinguished guests.
The ceremony was attended by Prof. Sanjay Dhande, Chairman of the Governing Body, Dr. G. K. Viswanadh, Director, Dr. Arvind S., Principal, Governing Body members Brig. Ganesham, Mrs. Nirmala Sambamoorthy, and Ms. Krupali, besides the Registrar, Deans, Heads of Departments, faculty members, parents, and graduating students.
The programme began with the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp, followed by addresses from Director Dr. G. K. Viswanadh and Governing Body Chairman Prof. Sanjay Dhande, who congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to pursue excellence with integrity, innovation, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Delivering the keynote address, Sri V. V. Lakshminarayana described graduation as a defining milestone that marks the transition from academic life to a life of responsibility and service. Drawing from the Indian philosophy of the four stages of life, he said every phase brings new responsibilities and opportunities, urging students to embrace them with discipline and purpose.
Highlighting the challenges faced by today’s youth, he expressed concern over the increasing prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and hypertension among young professionals. He advised graduates to dedicate 40 to 45 minutes every day to physical exercise, while also practising meditation and breathing exercises to maintain emotional balance and mental clarity.
He stressed that communication skills and the habit of reading books are equally important for professional success. Encouraging students to read biographies and autobiographies of inspiring personalities, he said such works help build character, broaden perspectives, and develop leadership qualities. He also urged every HITAM student to learn about the lives and contributions of Sri Arutla Ramchandra Reddy and Dr. Arutla Kamala Devi, whose commitment to public service continues to inspire generations.
Speaking about the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence, Sri Lakshminarayana encouraged students to embrace AI as a tool for learning, innovation, and productivity rather than viewing it as a threat. His message, “Compete with your previous version, not with AI,”emerged as the defining takeaway of the ceremony. He said tomorrow’s professionals must combine technological expertise with Human Intelligence, Emotional Intelligence, and Ethical Intelligence to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.
He further reminded graduates that true success is built on the enduring values of Character, Compassion, and Courage, noting that technical knowledge alone cannot create inspiring leaders or responsible citizens.
Concluding his address, Sri Lakshminarayana shared three life lessons entrusted to him by former President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam: live a life that makes your parents proud, return one day to your alma mater as its Chief Guest, and strive to achieve such excellence that your signature becomes an autograph. The message drew a warm response from students, parents, and faculty alike.
During the ceremony, branch toppers and the overall batch topper were felicitated for their outstanding academic performance before the graduates were formally conferred their degree certificates.
The HITAM Graduation Day 2026 celebrations reflected the institution’s commitment to nurturing not only technically competent engineers but also responsible, ethical, and socially conscious professionals. As the graduates stepped into a new phase of life, they carried with them an enduring message—to embrace technology with confidence, uphold values with conviction, and strive every day to become a better version of themselves.
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