STANFORD, Calif. (Diya TV) — Former U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, returned to Stanford University on June 14 to deliver a heartfelt commencement address to the Graduate School of Business Class of 2025. The Indian-origin couple, who first met at Stanford while pursuing their MBAs, spoke about the ancient Indian concept of dharma—the duty to act without attachment to results.
The speech, delivered at Frost Amphitheater, focused on leadership, values, and the power of purpose. It offered a fresh take for a school known for producing Silicon Valley CEOs and tech innovators.
“Dharma,” Sunak explained, “is the idea that we should gain fulfillment from simply doing our duty, rather than from the rewards that may come with our efforts.”
He recalled how this philosophy guided him in 2022. At the time, he had just lost the Conservative Party leadership race. But following the resignation of Prime Minister Liz Truss during a financial crisis, Sunak stepped up. He said his decision wasn’t driven by ambition. “Akshata reminded me that my dharma was clear,” he told the audience.
Sunak’s call to lead Britain came during political turmoil. Yet he leaned into responsibility, not reward. That message resonated with graduates who will soon lead companies and communities in a world full of complex challenges.
The couple’s return to campus was emotional. “This is literally where we met,” Murty said, smiling. “In the Schwab courtyard, to be precise.”
They shared stories of their student days—his “uncool” cargo shorts, her morning runs, and breakfast chats at Arbuckle Café. Those early talks, they revealed, often touched on deeper themes like leadership and values, even if they didn’t know it at the time.
“We started talking about this idea without knowing it,” Murty said. “Whether 11 a.m. was too early for ice cream—and also, what kind of leaders we wanted to be.”
Sunak also spoke about his time as Chancellor of the Exchequer during the COVID-19 pandemic. He faced a tough call in late 2021, when the Omicron variant spread rapidly. Experts debated another national lockdown, but Sunak chose a different path. He said data was helpful, but instinct guided by values mattered more. “Data can’t look around corners,” he said. “It can’t decide for you.”
That choice—balancing lives and livelihoods—wasn’t easy. But it reflected his deeper sense of duty, a key part of dharma. Murty highlighted how dharma shapes her work with young people in the U.K. Through programs like Lessons at 10 and The Richmond Project, she helps improve youth skills and resilience.
“Dharma isn’t just relevant in public service,” she said. “It gives you the clarity to overcome whatever’s thrown at you without losing your way.”
She encouraged graduates to lead with purpose, not just ambition. “Successes and failures are part of the package that comes with leadership,” she said.
The couple’s backgrounds reflect a blend of cultures. Murty is the daughter of Infosys founder Narayana Murthy. Sunak is the U.K.’s first Indian-origin prime minister. Their message combined ancient Eastern wisdom with modern Western leadership. They reminded students that true success goes beyond profits or job titles. “Don’t just optimize,” Sunak said. “Do your duty.”
As tassels turned and applause filled the amphitheater, the couple left the stage not as politicians or business figures, but as guides. Their message was clear: great leaders are grounded in purpose, not just performance. In closing, Sunak quoted the Bhagavad Gita: “You have the right to perform your duty, but not to the fruits of your actions.” For a generation entering an uncertain world, it was a timeless reminder—duty matters more than outcome.
