Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma at IIT Guwahati: 'Life is not a race'
Synopsis
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's 33rd Foundation Day address at IIT Guwahati stood out for what it wasn't — a routine ceremonial speech. His blunt, humorous message that success has no fixed pace cuts against the relentless comparison culture at India's top engineering campuses, and it landed precisely because he said it with a joke rather than a lecture.
Key Takeaways
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma addressed students at IIT Guwahati's 33rd Foundation Day on 1 September .
He urged students not to treat life as a race, saying 'Even if you don't run fast, it's absolutely okay.' Sarma highlighted IIT Guwahati's three-decade contribution to education, research, and innovation in the region.
He called patience, perseverance, and continuous learning essential qualities for young people.
The remarks drew attention for addressing comparison-driven pressure among students at premier institutions.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday, 1 September urged students at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati to resist the pressure of keeping pace with peers, delivering a candid message that success has no universal timeline. Sarma was the chief guest at the institute's 33rd Foundation Day celebrations in Guwahati.
The Message to Students
Addressing students and faculty, Sarma chose humour to make a pointed observation about ambition and self-worth. 'Life is not a race. Even if you don't run fast, it's absolutely okay. You won't be a broken Anda,' he said, drawing laughter while underscoring a serious concern about comparison-driven anxiety among young people.
The Chief Minister encouraged students to focus on their own trajectories rather than benchmark themselves against others. He stressed that individual capability, patience, and continuous learning matter far more than the speed at which one reaches a goal.
IIT Guwahati's 33-Year Journey
Sarma also used the occasion to acknowledge IIT Guwahati's three-decade contribution to education, research, and technological innovation in the region. He described the institute as a vital pillar of Assam's knowledge and innovation ecosystem, noting that its journey exemplifies what is possible when young minds are given the freedom to experiment and pursue new ideas.
He said institutions like IIT Guwahati play an indispensable role in equipping young Indians for a rapidly evolving world where adaptability and knowledge creation are at a premium.
Broader Context: Mental Health and Academic Pressure
Sarma's remarks carry weight beyond the ceremonial. Concerns about academic pressure, comparison culture, and mental health among students at premier engineering institutions have drawn increasing public attention in recent years. His informal, self-deprecating tone was widely noted for making the message accessible rather than prescriptive.
Notably, this is not the first time a senior political leader has used a convocation or foundation day address to speak directly to student wellbeing — but the directness and levity of Sarma's delivery set it apart from standard ceremonial speeches.
What the CM Urged Going Forward
Sarma called on students to make the most of their time at IIT Guwahati, remain confident in their abilities, and pursue their aspirations without being derailed by the pace of others around them. He reiterated that patience and perseverance are not signs of weakness but essential qualities for anyone seeking to make a meaningful contribution to society.
Point of View
At least rhetorically, the mental health cost of India's hyper-competitive academic culture. The 'broken Anda' quip will travel on social media; whether it translates into any institutional shift in how IITs evaluate and support students is a different question entirely. Foundation Day speeches rarely move policy — but the fact that a sitting Chief Minister chose this message over the usual innovation-and-GDP boilerplate suggests the conversation around student wellbeing is no longer avoidable at the political level.
NationPress
2 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma say at IIT Guwahati?
Sarma told students at IIT Guwahati's 33rd Foundation Day on 1 September that life is not a race and that individuals should not feel discouraged if their progress is slower than that of peers. He said, 'Even if you don't run fast, it's absolutely okay. You won't be a broken Anda.'
What is IIT Guwahati's 33rd Foundation Day?
The 33rd Foundation Day marks over three decades since IIT Guwahati was established, celebrating its contributions to education, research, and technological advancement in Assam and the wider Northeast region. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma was the chief guest at the event on 1 September.
Why did Sarma's remarks draw attention?
Sarma's informal, humorous tone stood out against the backdrop of growing concern about academic pressure and comparison culture at premier engineering institutions in India. His message that success has no fixed timeline resonated widely for its directness and accessibility.
What did Sarma say about IIT Guwahati's role?
Sarma described IIT Guwahati as a vital centre for learning, research, and innovation, saying institutions like it are indispensable in preparing young Indians for a rapidly changing world that demands adaptability and knowledge creation.
What qualities did the Assam CM urge students to cultivate?
Sarma urged students to develop patience, perseverance, and a commitment to continuous learning, emphasising that these qualities matter more than the speed at which one achieves goals.
