Justice Surya Kant, the Chief Justice of India (CJI), delivered a profound convocation address at the Central University of Haryana on March 15, 2026. Using the traditional sport of Kabaddi as a metaphor for a successful professional career, he urged graduating students to navigate the “arena” of life with the same precision and restraint as an elite raider.
The address was particularly resonant as it blended ancient sporting philosophy with the modern demands of the legal and professional worlds.
The Raider’s Metaphor: Ambition vs. Overreach
The CJI broke down the dynamics of a raid to illustrate key life lessons:
- The Single Breath: The raider’s chant symbolizes unwavering concentration and self-control. In professional life, the CJI likened this “sustaining breath” to education.
- The Boundary Line: Mastery in Kabaddi is not about going the furthest into the opponent’s half, but knowing exactly when to retreat. He warned that true success lies in the balance between calculated ambition and reckless overreach.
- The Home Ground: He compared an individual’s upbringing and values to the raider’s own half—the safe zone that provides the foundation for every daring venture.
A significant highlight of the convocation was the CJI’s observation of the university’s academic honors. He noted with pride that a majority of this year’s gold medalists were women, describing it as a powerful indicator of the shifting landscape toward gender equity in Indian higher education.
Key Takeaways for Graduates
| Principle | Professional Application |
| Resilience | Derived from humble beginnings and the sacrifices of families. |
| Public Duty | Education is funded by public resources; graduates owe a debt to society. |
| Integrity | Success is hollow if it comes at the cost of one’s foundational values. |
| Strategic Awareness | Knowing one’s limits is as important as knowing one’s strengths. |
Reflecting on his own journey, Justice Surya Kant shared that he entered the legal profession without the benefit of “patronage or influential networks.” He encouraged students from rural or underprivileged backgrounds to view their struggles not as hindrances, but as the source of their resilience and humility.
“Education is the sustaining breath that enables you to navigate your path… remain anchored to your values to ensure success does not come at the cost of integrity.”
— CJI Surya Kant
