Embrace what you have, says Guatam Buddh Nagar DM Suhas LY at FICCI’s Conclave on Diversity and Inclusion

New Delhi, July 6, 2022: The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) organized its 1st Conclave on Diversity and Inclusion from July 6, 2022, to July 7, 2022, at the Lalit Hotel, New Delhi. The theme of the conclave is ‘India@75 – Being Diverse, Inclusive and Better for all’.

Mr. Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj, a professional Para-Badminton player, and the present District Magistrate of Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, delivered the keynote address at the conclave.

Suhas, in his address, said, “Generally, people think that what they have seen and learnt in their lifetime is the absolute truth.” He explained that it is the pre-conceived notion of people that is wrong or right, not the person. “Just like people mature over time, our country is also maturing over time.” He said that nature has created each human being uniquely. He talked about his disability and said that, “Growing up, I often used to wonder what does the society or other people think of me,” and stated that the biggest challenge wasn’t the disability itself but the thought that ‘what will others think of me?’. “Now, God has given me enough maturity to openly talk about it,” Suhas said. “The challenge is to pursue the truth and embrace what we have.”

“Not a single person has achieved something without criticism,” he said. “Just think about a single famous person who has not been criticized,” he said and gave the examples of luminaries like Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. He emphasized that one must not be demotivated because of the criticism they face by others, especially the criticism that one faces on social media. He stated that praise and criticism in life are sides of the same coin.

Suhas said that he used to work in the corporate sector many years ago and talked about his experience there. “Corporate sector is not a monolith, it is made of individuals,” he said.

“Life is never easy,” he said. “The new generation will go out looking for short cuts for success, but for success, you will have to struggle,” he explained. “The society is designed in such a way that we have to have a competitive spirit despite the difficulties that we may be having. The challenge is to imbibe this competitive spirit in each and every person to contribute in the best possible manner.”

Other dignataries who joined the conclave were Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, FICCI President and HUL CEO Sanjiv Mehta, and Jyotsana Suri, Co-Chair, FICCI Committee on D&I and CMD, Lalit Suri Group.