New Delhi, India: A nearly 20-year-old graduation speech by Indian-American biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has gone viral on social media, as the 38-year-old prepares to take on a key role in President-elect Donald Trump ‘s upcoming administration.
Ramaswamy, recently appointed to co-lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside Tesla CEO Elon Musk, became the subject of renewed attention after a video of his high school commencement speech resurfaced online. The video, which captures a then 18-year-old Ramaswamy delivering an impassioned address at his graduation from St. Xavier High School, has gained significant traction, with many users highlighting his maturity, eloquence, and early signs of leadership.
In the clip, Ramaswamy reflects on the challenges and emotional journey of high school, encouraging his peers to embrace the journey ahead and take a moment to appreciate the present. “I have been racing my entire high school career, but now, when we are finally crossing the finish line, I wish I could have stopped, just a little earlier, to catch a breath of the fresh air around me,” he says in the speech.
Drawing from literature, he quotes a passage from his English class to express his mixed feelings about graduation, asking, “How am I supposed to feel right now?” Ramaswamy also emphasizes the importance of hard work over luck, declaring, “We’re here because of our good work and God’s help, and the sole end of that work shouldn’t be in achieving some great reward; rather, it should be in the work itself. In a way, to give, and not to count the cost.”
As he transitions into the next chapter of his life, Ramaswamy reflects on the deeper meaning of the word “commencement,” noting that it means “to begin,” yet the word is also used to mark an end. His thoughtful conclusion encourages his classmates to view their graduation as the start of a much longer journey.
Netizens react to Ramaswamy’s viral video
The video has quickly gained traction on social media, with many commenting on Ramaswamy’s impressive poise at such a young age. One user remarked, “18-year-old Vivek looks more ready for politics than most politicians today,” while another commented, “This is what a good education from a good college can do for you. And here we are, in a time when people casually say you don’t need college.”
Ramaswamy posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “We will not go gently,” and tagged Musk.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1985 to Tamil-speaking Brahmin parents from Kerala , Ramaswamy’s background includes a degree in biology from Harvard University and a law degree from Yale. Before founding Roivant Sciences in 2014, he had already earned millions as a hedge fund investor. He stepped down from his position as CEO of Roivant in 2021.
Ramaswamy and Musk will assume leadership of DOGE in January 2025.
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