Treat failure as learning, not defeat: LG to Oman students
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Thursday hosted a group of young student winners from Oman at Lok Niwas, who had won the Shastra Pratibha Contest organised by Vijnana Bharati at IIT Gandhinagar. On the occasion, the LG advised them to pursue careers aligned with their genuine interests rather than bending to external societal expectations, and to treat failure as a learning mechanism rather than a defeat.
The interaction centred on the students’ scientific curiosity, spirit of inquiry, and eagerness to learn. Sandhu emphasised that nurturing a strong scientific temper and analytical thinking among young minds is vital to building a solid foundation for research, innovation, and a future-ready society.
On career choices, Sandhu told the students to pursue what brings them genuine happiness rather than what others expect of them. He said their primary focus should be on achieving absolute excellence in whatever field they choose, rather than selecting a path based on social or family pressure.
On skills, the LG stressed that academic knowledge alone is not sufficient in today’s world. He said the rapidly evolving global landscape demands that young people constantly acquire new and relevant skills to remain adaptable and effective throughout their careers. Classroom learning must be matched with practical capability that keeps pace with change, he said.
On failure, Sandhu was direct. He said setbacks should never be feared or treated as defeats. Instead, he described failure as an essential part of any learning process, one that ultimately makes an individual tougher, wiser, and more resilient.
He urged the young innovators not to let the fear of failure hold them back from attempting difficult things.
The Shastra Pratibha Contest is an initiative of Vijnana Bharati, an organisation that works to promote Indian science and technology through outreach programmes and competitions aimed at school and college students. The contest was held at IIT Gandhinagar, one of India’s premier technical institutions, and the winning students from Oman travelled to Delhi as part of the prize interaction programme.
The visit of students from Oman to the LG’s official residence at Lok Niwas also carries a symbolic dimension.