Below is the commencement speech I plan on delivering to the graduating class at Evergreen College on May 28th, 2010.

Thank you, Evergreen College, for asking me to speak here today. I feel honored.

Everything starts with a dream, a particle of our imagination that teases us of what the future could be like, as long as we fight for it. I’m proud of all of you in accomplishing one of your dreams today. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the same classroom experience like you did, but education has been the epicenter of my life. And sometimes, the education we receive from life experiences and some unorthodox decisions can still lead us to the right path. It starts with that inner desire of wanting to succeed. And, then you just need to believe.

People have asked me, who was your motivation to be where you are today. And, my answer has always been, my grandmother. She unfortunately, recently passed away.

Her life journey revolved around sacrifice and struggle but she harnessed it with love. She taught me that sacrifice instills discipline, struggle reminds you of the journey, but the choice to love teaches you to forgive.

Today, I’m here to share these very 3 themes with you: Sacrifice, Struggle, Love.

Sacrifice. When your working hard, no one claims luck. When you begin to achieve, people begin to stamp it as just fate. You will have bad days. There will be setbacks. You will have more than your fair share of failures. But at the end of the day, you pick yourself up and keep going. That’s the Big Secret of Life. You fall down, you get up. Every time you do this, your barometer of courage will shine. I know this to be true because it worked for me, and I’m just a guy like everybody else. And, the only handout in life we all get is the present. Don’t expect anything to happen – go out and get it. Life’s simply too short. And you have to cherish every moment.

I recently came back from India. And I visited the village of where my grandmother’s family still lives. The biggest asset they had was the love flowing in between them. But, everything else monetarily was blank. It made me realize truly the sacrifice that my grandmother made over 60 years ago. She was a single mother and her family was poor. She herself lost her mother when she was 9, and had to become the mother of the family. When she had my father, she realized she wanted to give him the chance at life. And, my father in return was the ambitious type who wanted that chance. My grandmother did small jobs such as picking chilies at the farm to collect every penny she could to provide for her son. My father who knew every sacrifice she was making to make ends meet, didn’t take anything for granted. To study for homework, he used to walk kilometers away to find a lamppost that would have enough light. This is called sacrifice. And, eventually this would be the same discipline my parents raised me with to create the person I am today. My father went on to graduate from college, got married, and after having their 4th child (me), applied for VISA for America through a lottery system. Eventually, they received it. And their definition of sacrifice took on another geography.

Struggle. It is the beginning. It reminds us that we’ve started our mission. And sometimes, we’re tested far more than others. But for every test we’re faced, we must know that if we continue fighting throughout our journey, eventually success will follow. Take chances. Without risk, there is no reward. But make sure it’s intelligent risk. Only a fool bets against Michael Jordan (until it’s time to bet against Michael Jordan). Those who dream and count on luck, get surrounded by jealousy. Those who dream and let struggle drive them, get surrounded by ambition.

When I was a kid, I remember coming home every day from school to my grandmother with my self-esteem in shreds. For being different, I was teased relentlessly as a child. I had a choice to make. I could either become an introvert and let this negative noise consume me, or I could go accept the fact that I’m different and realize “okay, what now.” That exact feeling gave me strength to focus on my passion and eventually figure out that one thing I’m good at. Business. Obviously, when I entered the world of business at age 16, it wasn’t easy. My lack of education, money, and background were all against me. But, I didn’t let that come in the way of writing my own destiny. Now, that I look back at that journey, every struggle I faced matured me to accept every battle that came in the way.

Love. If you have a choice between hatred or forgiveness. Pick forgiveness. It will mature you in more ways than one and let you look at life differently. We have to own our mistakes. At the end of the day, every decision we make, even if it was inspired by misguided advice, was our decision. Nobody wins when you start looking for someone to blame. Let it go. Keep moving. Forward movement is everything.

Six months after I started my first company, I received a threat from a rogue employee that if I didn’t give them 1/3 of my Company he would shut me down. Being 16, not knowing what a threat or extortion was, I tried to call his bluff. And moments later, I was out of business. I felt naked. I felt everything I worked for when I dropped out of high school was about to be taken away from me, simply because of someone else’s greed. But, I took a deep breath and realized it was time for me to take back control. I was out of business for a full week. Imagine that, no website, no email, nothing. After the most painful week as a 16-year old, I was able to get back control but this time with a tainted name. I had to go up against upset customers that lost money because of the fact I was down. I accepted what happened and tried to pick up the pieces. Remembering the words of my grandmother, I didn’t resort to hate, I didn’t resort to vengeance. I forgave. And, used it as a lesson, as a stepping-stone for my maturity as an entrepreneur. 15 months from that incident, I sold my first Company for $40 million. I guess, karma has its own way of working out. It may not happen right away, but it does find its way into life’s most complicated times.

Finally, I want you to look around to the loved ones that came to support you today. Look in their eyes, and you will see they are proud of a great step you accomplished today. Give them a hug. And, if your lucky – and your parents are here today. Hug them like you’ve never hugged them before. Thank them for allowing you to grow up.

If you’re fortunate enough, you’ll be the ones raising them, as they grow old.

Thank you.

Good evening, everyone.

Dean Hubbard, distinguished faculty, honored graduates, relieved parents, family, and friends, it’s a distinct pleasure to be in New York City this evening to celebrate the biggest milestone to date in the lives of you, the young men and women before us: your graduation from Columbia University Business School.

It may surprise you, graduates, but as big a night as this is for you, it’s an even bigger night for your parents. They may look calm and collected as they sit in the audience, but deep inside they’re doing cartwheels, dancing the Macarena, and practically speaking in tongues, they’re so excited. This is what happens when parents anticipate that their bank accounts will soon rehydrate after being bone-dry for two years. So, for everyone here this evening, it’s a very special occasion. And I’m delighted to share it with you.

I am keenly aware that graduates traditionally refer to our time together this evening as the calm before the storm. Some graduates — perhaps those who minored in self-awareness — refer to the commencement address as “the snooze before the booze.” However you describe my comments this evening, please know that I understand. It wasn’t that long ago that I was in your place. And I remember the day well. I knew that I owed my parents — my financial benefactors — this opportunity to revel in our mutual accomplishment. Yet, as the guy at the podium droned on about values, goals, and how to make my dreams take flight, I remember desperately checking and rechecking my watch. I thought, “I deserve to party, and this codger’s cramping my style!”

In one of life’s true ironies, I am now that codger. Well…I’m the female equivalent. A codg-ette, I guess. And I now understand that values, goals, and how to make dreams take flight, really are important. So being a firm believer that hindsight is one of life’s greatest teachers, allow me to make belated amends.

To that distinguished, erudite, and absolutely brilliant man whom I silently dissed many years ago: mea culpa. Big, BIG mea culpa!

This evening, graduates, I want to share a few thoughts about a topic that should be near and dear to your hearts: the world of global business. But, I’m going to present this topic in a way that you probably haven’t considered before. I’m going to take a look at how the United States is often perceived in global business, what causes this perception, and what we can do about it. To help me, I’m going to make use of a model.

To begin, I’d like you to consider your hand. That’s right: your hand.

Other than the fact that mine desperately needs a manicure, it’s a pretty typical hand. But, what I want you to notice, in particular, is that the five fingers are not the same. One is short and thick, one tiny, and the other three are different as well. And yet, as in perhaps no other part of our bodies, the fingers work in harmony without us even thinking about them individually. Whether we attempt to grasp a dime on a slick, marble surface, a child’s arm as we cross the street, or a financial report, we don’t consciously say, “OK, move these fingers here, raise this one, turn this one under, now clamp together. Got it!” We just think about what we want to do and it happens. Our fingers — as different as they are — coexist to create a critically important whole.

This unique way of looking at my hand was just one result of hot summer evenings in my childhood home in Madras, India. My mother, sister, and I would sit at our kitchen table and — for lack of a better phrase — think big thoughts. One of those thoughts was this difference in our fingers and how, despite their differences, they worked together to create a wonderful tool.

As I grew up and started to study geography, I remember being told that the five fingers can be thought of as the five major continents: Europe, Asia, Africa, and North and South America. Now, let me issue a profound apology to both Australia and Antarctica. I bear neither of these continents any ill will. It’s just that we humans have only five fingers on each hand, so my analogy doesn’t work with seven continents.

Clearly, the point of my story is more important than geographical accuracy!

First, let’s consider our little finger. Think of this finger as Africa. Africa is the little finger not because of Africa’s size, but because of its place on the world’s stage. From an economic standpoint, Africa has yet to catch up with her sister continents. And yet, when our little finger hurts, it affects the whole hand.

Our thumb is Asia: strong, powerful, and ready to assert herself as a major player on the world’s economic stage.

Our index, or pointer finger, is Europe. Europe is the cradle of democracy and pointed the way for western civilization and the laws we use in conducting global business.

The ring finger is South America, including Latin America. Is this appropriate, or what? The ring finger symbolizes love and commitment to another person. Both Latin and South America are hot, passionate, and filled with the sensuous beats of the mambo, samba, and tango: three dances that — if done right — can almost guarantee you and your partner will be buying furniture together.

This analogy of the five fingers as the five major continents leaves the long, middle finger for North America, and, in particular, the United States. As the longest of the fingers, it really stands out. The middle finger anchors every function that the hand performs and is the key to all of the fingers working together efficiently and effectively. This is a really good thing, and has given the U.S. a leg up in global business since the end of World War I.

However, if used inappropriately — just like the U.S. itself — the middle finger can convey a negative message and get us in trouble. You know what I’m talking about. In fact, I suspect you’re hoping that I’ll demonstrate what I mean. And trust me, I’m not looking for volunteers to model.

Discretion being the better part of valor…I think I’ll pass.

What is most crucial to my analogy of the five fingers as the five major continents, is that each of us in the U.S. — the long middle finger — must be careful that when we extend our arm in either a business or political sense, we take pains to assure we are giving a hand…not the finger. Sometimes this is very difficult. Because the U.S. — the middle finger — sticks out so much, we can send the wrong message unintentionally.

Unfortunately, I think this is how the rest of the world looks at the U.S. right now. Not as part of the hand — giving strength and purpose to the rest of the fingers — but, instead, scratching our nose and sending a far different signal.

I’d challenge each of you to think about how critically important it is for every finger on your hand to rise and bend together. You cannot simply “allow” the other four fingers to rise only when you want them to. If you’ve ever even tried to do that, you know how clumsy and uncoordinated it is.

My point here is that it’s not enough just to understand that the other fingers coexist. We’ve got to consciously and actively ensure that every one of them stands tall together, or that they bend together when needed.

Today, as each of you ends one chapter in your young lives and begins another, I want you to consider how you will conduct your business careers so that the other continents see you extending a hand…not the finger. Graduates, it’s not that hard. You can change and shape the attitudes and opinions of the other fingers — the other continents and their peoples — by simply ascribing positive intent to all your international business transactions. If you fail, or if you are careless, here’s a perfect example of what can happen:

A U.S. businesswoman was recently in Beijing, China, on an international training assignment for a luxury hotel chain. The chain was rebranding an older Beijing hotel. As such, the toilets in the hotel had yet to be upgraded. There were no porcelain commodes, just holes in the floor. Until recently, this was the standard procedure in China.

Now, 8,000 miles removed from the scene, you and I — and most Americans — can shake our heads and giggle at the physical contortions and delicate motor skills necessary to make the best of this situation. We’re simply not used to it. But to loudly and insultingly verbalize these feelings onsite, in front of the employees and guests of the host country, is bush league. And yet, that’s exactly what this woman observed.

In the hotel’s bar, the woman overheard a group of five American businessmen loudly making fun of the hotel’s lavatory facilities. As the drinks flowed, the crass and vulgar comments grew louder, and actually took on an angry, jingoistic tone. While these Americans couldn’t speak a word of Chinese, their Chinese hosts spoke English very well, and understood every word the men were saying.

And we wonder why the world views many Americans as boorish and culturally insensitive. This incident should make it abundantly clear. These men were not giving China a hand. They were giving China the finger. This finger was red, white, and blue, and had “the United States” stamped all over it.

Graduates, it pains me greatly that this view of America persists. Although I’m a daughter of India, I’m an American businesswoman. My family and I are citizens of this great country.

This land we call home is a most loving and ever-giving nation — a Promised Land that we love dearly in return. And it represents a true force that, if used for good, can steady the hand — along with global economies and cultures.

Yet to see us frequently stub our fingers on the international business and political stage is deeply troubling. Truth be told, the behaviors of a few sully the perception for all of us. And we know how often perception is mistaken for reality.

We can do better. We should do better. With your help, with your empathy, with your positive intent as representatives of the U.S. in global business, we will do better. Now, as never before, it’s important that we give the world a hand…not the finger.

In conclusion, graduates, I want to return to my introductory comments this evening. I observed that as big a night as this is for you, it’s an even bigger night for your parents. I ascribed their happiness to looking forward to a few more “George Washingtons” in their bank accounts. While this is certainly true, there is another reason.

Each of your parents believes that their hard work has paid off. Finally! They believe that maybe — just maybe — they have raised and nurtured the next Jack Welch, Meg Whitman, or Patricia Russo.

Don’t disappoint them. Don’t disappoint your companies. And don’t disappoint yourselves.

As you begin your business careers, and as you travel throughout the world to assure America’s continued global economic leadership, remember your hand. And remember to do your part to influence perception.

Remember that the middle finger — the United States — always stands out. If you’re smart, if you exhibit emotional intelligence as well as academic intelligence, if you ascribe positive intent to all your actions on the international business stage, this can be a great advantage. But if you aren’t careful — if you stomp around in a tone-deaf fog like the ignoramus in Beijing — it will also get you in trouble. And when it does, you will have only yourself to blame.

Graduates, as you aggressively compete on the international business stage, understand that the five major continents and their peoples — the five fingers of your hand — each have their own strengths and their own contributions to make. Just as each of your fingers must coexist to create a critically important tool, each of the five major continents must also coexist to create a world in balance. You, as an American businessperson, will either contribute to or take away from, this balance.

So remember, when you extend your arm to colleagues and peoples from other countries, make sure that you’re giving a hand, not the finger. You will help your country, your company, and yourself, more than you will ever know.

Thank you very much.

Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them – work, family, health, friends and spirit and you’re keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls – family, health, friends and spirit – are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same.

You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.

How?

Don’t undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special.

Don’t set your goals by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you.

Don’t take for granted the things closest to your heart. Cling to them as they would your life, for without them, life is meaningless.

Don’t let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or for the future.

By living your life one day at a time, you live ALL the days of your life.

Don’t give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.

Don’t be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect. It is this fragile thread that binds us to each together.

Don’t be afraid to encounter risks. It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.

Don’t shut love out of your life by saying it’s impossible to find time. The quickest way to receive love is to give; the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly; and the best way to keep love is to give it wings.

Don’t run through life so fast that you forget not only where you’ve been, but also where you are going.

Don’t forget, a person’s greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.

Don’t be afraid to learn. Knowledge is weightless, a treasure you can always carry easily.

Don’t use time or words carelessly. Neither can be retrieved.

Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way.

Take for example, Michael Jackson, a true musical legend by any degree. A guy – whose music resonates through many generations and will be remembered for many more. If you asked anyone including the media what they thought of him last week – the words they would use would be “weird, bizarre, etc.” And they would bring up the scandals, the negatives (true or not)…but that’s what society thought defined him.

Now, unfortunately, he passes away – and the entire world finally gives this person the respect for his talent.  I just find it awkward that it takes society a persons death to finally recognize the positives one brings. I can also see how being in these surroundings the definition of “real” could easily fade.

It’s amazing that when you do live this life – whether you’re guilty or not of an allegation – you’ve already forever tainted your image. Doesn’t look all that glamorous of a life to me.

The loss of this legend – gives all of us a true awakening that we should appreciate life and never take it for granted. And, may also shed us light on how being a “superstar” maybe a pretty lonely place up top.

India is one of the most populous countries in the world but also has the biggest disparity between the rich and poor. Any foundation that tries to enrich the lives of individuals definitely catches my attention – and Nanubhai is definitely trying to fix a void that exists in India’s society today.

To learn more about Nanubhai – you can visit: http://nanubhai.org/

To see pictures from the event you can also vist: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=226988&id=532615110&l=8b099

For those of you that missed the event, below is the transcript of my speech.

Good Evening everyone.

First of all – I’d like to thank Nanubhai for inviting me here today.

I’m 26 and I feel truly blessed that god’s given me a chance to reach my dreams at an early age. Twenty-Three years ago when my parents first came to this country – my father had a strict agenda in mind for me.  No surprise here, but he wanted either me to be a doctor or engineer. My father had arrived with $25 in his pocket through a lottery-based visa, but his heart was full of dreams. “Education is the key that opens all the locks to all the doors in the world. My four children will become doctors and engineers. Maybe even both!” he would say. That didn’t necessarily happen – but with God’s blessing by our side – we all became very successful.

As a child, I never realized what the importance of education was or why it meant so much for them until several years later. And, that came down to resilience and sacrifice.

If I were to point out a true hero in my life, a person that defied all odds to make everything happen for us – that would be my grandmother. In rural India, she was a single mother that raised my father. Especially in those tough times, education for women wasn’t allowed or accepted as part of society. So, she picked chilies, did various farming jobs to make ends meet – for only one dream of hers. And, that was to give her son, my father, the proper education he needed to thrive and realize his dreams.

While my grandmother wasn’t given a chance to receive proper education – this setback further instilled discipline and courage for my father to succeed. My father went on to get an English degree and with that was able to have a successful career in America.

This is what attracted me to Nanubhai. I feel the progress they’ve made even in the particular region of Gujarat to promote education across both genders is amazing. It’s providing hope, direction, and most of all a journey of a lifetime for these adolescence.

I know during these tough economic times – it’s tough to be involved in organizations – so I’d like to thank all of you for supporting this organization today but I also commend the organizers and volunteers for continuing their vision in making this happen. Not only am I happy of their efforts and support this cause. But, if my grandmother and parents were here at this event today, they would be too.

Thank you very much. And I wish everyone a great 2009!

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As a country, we’ve gone through many challenges. What’s happened in the last six months just alone has been a monumental change in our nation. With Obama’s leadership and our fair share of support & commitment, we will progress forward as a nation.

I, along with most Americans, look forward in having Barack Obama as our President. For minorities, this shows us, that with the right convictions, courage, and leadership – dreams do come true. Therefore, giving us no excuse to label ourselves as minorities – just “American.”

To a great four years with President Obama.

As we embark 2009, I hope it turns out to be a great year for all of us. The last six months of 2008 – while were bleak for the economy, I hope through perseverance we all make a major breakthrough in 2009.

For those of you in the Bay Area – I have two other book signings this month. Feel free to stop by to any of these:

• Towne Center Books (Pleasanton Library) 2:00pm (January 18)
• Stacey’s Books (581 Market Street, San Francisco) 12:30pm (January 20)

To a phenomenal year!

G

•    The obvious shock, the show advertises that a millionaire will donate at least $100,000 of their money. I ended up gifting well over $100,000 – but the way editing was done – it made it seem I only gifted $90,000.

•    Due to privacy issues (which I completely understand), one of the additional recipients that I gifted was completely edited out.

•    St. Anthony’s is also a place where a lot of people go when they are trying to get their lives back on track. Even getting a job these days is all about getting on the Internet. So, I donated a new computer lab to St. Anthony’s.

•    I was deeply touched by the kids that lived at Raphael House. So, I started a “birthday fund” so at the very least, they get a birthday gift on their special day.

•    In the final part of the show – the millionaires go back into the community to follow up on the recipients that they gifted. That also did not make the final cut.

I know a part of making this show – is to keep it entertaining. So, there were certain scenes that were also edited in to add humor. I got a laugh out of them myself. I never actually said BAM four times in a row or said “grocery shopping – it’s not that easy.”

Nevertheless, my heart was always in the right place when I did Secret Millionaire. I’m proud of what I was able to do and blessed that God gave me the opportunity to start giving back at a young age. I’ve also continued to support St. Anthony’s and Raphael House throughout this year.

And, I’m sure philanthropy wise; this is only the beginning for me.

For those of that missed the episode you can catch it locally on Chahal.com or Hulu.com.

Nevertheless, I had an incredible experience being a part of Secret Millionaire. I hope it inspires the youth to be a part of philanthropy very early in life.

I also would like to thank everyone for the incredible feedback.