Google CEO Sundar Pichai, in a virtual graduation ceremony, talked a little about his humble roots and life back in India. YouTube streamed the “Dear Class of 2020,” a virtual commencement event bringing together inspirational leaders, speakers, celebrities and YouTube creators to celebrate graduates, their families, and their communities. Some of the other speakers included former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, singer Lady Gaga, and education activist and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai.
Pichai’s advice to youngsters
Pichai, in his address, gave some valuable lessons and advice to youngsters. He said: “There are probably things about technology that frustrate you and make you impatient. Don’t lose that impatience. It will create the next technology revolution and enable you to build things my generation could never dream of. You may be just as frustrated by my generation’s approach to climate change, or education. Be impatient. It will create progress the world needs.”
Pichai then talked about his humble roots
During the address, Pichai also talked about the difficulties he faced after he left India to study at Stanford University 27 years ago. He said: “My father spent the equivalent of a year’s salary on my plane ticket to the U.S. so I could attend Stanford. It was my first time ever on a plane.”
Telling that his journey was not rosy, the Google CEO further recounted: “America was expensive. A phone call back home was more than $2 a minute, and a backpack cost the same as my dad’s monthly salary in India.”
The 48-year-old finished his address, saying: “The only thing that got me from here to there — other than luck — was a deep passion for technology and an open mind.”
Source: News 18
