A Voice of Excellence | Valedictorian Speech by Prescilla Khamo | Convocation 2026

Good morning everybody. Respected commencement speaker Reverend Dr. Huati Ayer, our respected chairperson Dr. Hawaibam Loitongbam, our esteemed director Shri Kuladhar Laren, our respected principal Dr. E. Moses L. King, our HR manager Smt. Vini Saley, our vice principals Dr. Amar Ranjan Dey and Dr. Rosie Tep, as well as our deans and assistant deans, faculty members and guests, proud families and friends, and most importantly, my fellow graduates of 2026. My name is Ketushon Priscilla Kom. From the Department of English, and as the postgraduate valedictorian, it is an honor and privilege to stand before you today and take this time. A few years ago, we all arrived as strangers in this very hall with excitement, curiosity, expectations, and probably a good amount of fear about what the next few years would bring for us. And somehow, those strangers became the people that we laughed with, traveled with, struggled with, celebrated with, and now find so difficult to say goodbye to. As I stand here today, I also find myself thinking about something that has been an important part of my own academic journey here at Tetso College, and that is the indigenous knowledge. You see, throughout my studies and through the papers that I've worked on here, and multiple various activities, I have come to understand that indigenous knowledge is not simply something that is preserved in the past. In fact, it is a living body of knowledge that has been shaped by generations of people, experiences, and relationship with their communities, culture, and the world around them. We often look at knowledge through the lens of what is written in the books, the journals that have been published, the formal research, but there is also knowledge that has been passed down through generations, through stories, practices, lore, language, lived experiences, and observations. And I believe that understanding this very knowledge is especially important for young people like us today. Therefore, as we move forward with our lives, we have an opportunity to carefully listen, to learn, recognize the value of knowledge that already exists within our community. Our research should not only create new knowledge, but it should also help us understand, document, preserve, and give value to the knowledge that our community already holds. For me, engaging with indigenous knowledge has made me realize that research is not just about finding answers. It is also about knowing whose knowledge we are learning from, respecting where it comes from, understanding the responsibility that comes with carrying it forward. And perhaps that brings me to our college motto, strive for excellence. When I first began this journey, I understood excellence as mostly achievement. Today, I think it means something more than just that. Excellence is not simply about being the best or collecting accomplishments and certificates, but it is about to its core, being willing to learn, being curious enough to ask questions, having the humility to listen, and using what we learn to contribute meaningfully to the people around us. As my favorite author, Ernest Hemingway, once wrote, "We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master." And perhaps that is what excellence truly is. To not believe that we know everything or ma- or have become a master in certain areas, but to remain curious enough to remain humble enough to learn and continue to grow. My own journey has taught me that none of us reaches a moment like this alone. The gold medal is an honor that I'm deeply grateful for. But more than anything, it reminds me that this journey was never mine to walk alone. There were many moments when I questioned whether I was capable of getting here. But I was so fortunate enough to have people who carried that confidence for me when I couldn't, such as my wonderful professors who saw the potential in me where I saw limitations, my beautiful friends who supported me and reminded me of what I was capable of when I forgot, and a loving family whose prayers and support never stopped, even from afar. And people who sometimes with nothing more than just a kind word or a smile made the road a little easier. So, yes, this medal has my name on it, but it does not belong to me alone. In some way, it belongs to everyone who encouraged me, challenged me, corrected me, prayed for me, and reminded me to keep going. So, to our professors, thank you for not only what you taught us from books, but for teaching us how to think, to question, to listen and look at the world differently. And to our families, thank you for your sacrifices, your patience, your prayers, and your encouragement. My dear fellow graduates, as we leave this institution, I hope that we carry more than our degrees with us. I hope we carry the lessons, the relationships, the cultures, the story, and the knowledge that has kept us here. And I also hope that as we continue our own journeys, we remain curious enough to learn, humble enough to listen, responsible enough to preserve and respect the knowledge that has been passed down to us. May we strive for excellence not only in what we achieve, but in who we become. May we measure success not only by the heights we reach, but by the people and the communities we take with us. A few semesters ago, on Freshers' Day, I stood and was welcomed in a room full of strangers. Today I stand before a room full of people whose stories have become intertwined with mine. And somehow, this feels like my greatest achievement of all. So, perhaps this is not really a goodbye. It is simply another beginning. Wherever life takes us next, I hope we carry a little bit of this place, a little bit of our culture, and a little bit of each other with us. Congratulations, class of 2026. It has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to walk this chapter with you. We did it. May God bless you all. Thank you.